World Braford Confederation History.

Beef Expo 2006, the largest event of its kind in Australia, has been chosen as the venue for the third Braford World Congress.

Combining these two major events in the beef industry calendar for 2006 - Beef Expo and Braford World Congress - provides an excellent opportunity for visitors, both overseas and Australian, and extensive exposure for both events. Plans are now well underway for this event which is set to be the largest single event ever staged by the Braford breed in Australia.

By way of some history, the World Braford Confederation was formed in June 2000 comprising seven member countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Paraguay, South Africa, Uruguay and the United States.

For some time in South America, the Braford Societies of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay had joined together for regional events and issues as the "Federacion Braford Mercosur". President at that time, Greice Martins de Silva of the Brazil Braford Society proposed that a Confederation of all Braford Societies worldwide be established as the World Braford Confederation with four primary aims:-

• Create international understanding and goodwill among the Braford Associations and their members around the world.
• Co-ordinate the standards and registration process among the associations for the international trade of animals and Braford genetics.
• Create an environment for social, technical and educational exchanges between international members.
• Co-ordinate global marketing and promotion of the Braford breed.

At the first Braford World Congress at Porto Alegre, Brazil in June 2000, delegates representing the Braford Societies of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the USA signed the Memorandum of Understanding thus creating the WBC.

The second Braford World Congress was held during 2003 was hosted by Argentina and attended by representatives of each of the seven member countries. This event was attended by 1,270 registered delegates, 150 guests and serviced by 80 staff.

Internationally, Braford registrations are increasing at a faster rate than any other breed. Braford genetics have comprised the largest percentage of exports from Australia into Brazil over the past years where registrations are increasing at 300% per annum. It is projected that the Brazilian herd of 155 million will consist of in excess of 20 million Brafords by the year 2010. This trend, while similar in Australia has been paced by careful breeding and stabilising of the breed to advance at a manageable rate.

An exceptional milestone for a breed which began its life on a property located just outside Rockhampton in Queensland.

Noted for their feed conversion ability both on grass and in the feed lot, Braford breeders have long been reaping the rewards available by breeding either straight Brafords or crossbreeding. The Braford breed, developed in Queensland in 1946, left its imprint on the National Paddocks to Palates Challenges. Awards including Best Overall Beef, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals totalling twelve medals over seven challenges were bestowed upon Braford beef in three years.

Their calving ease and fertility has been continually documented and breeders, both stud and commercial, have played their part in culling heavily any animal not living up to this reputation.

Their resistance to eye cancer, a major benefit, is also well noted and can be attributed directly to the forward thinking of the breed's pioneers.

There are more than 100,000 Braford cattle in Australia and after more than 50 years of careful breeding the concept of a breed type with a wide gene base and the potential for variation (between 25% to 75% bos indicus content) is one major factor in the Braford surviving the onslaught of a multitude of breed importations.

The history of the Braford breed in Australia is really the story of the early cattlemen and their responses to a challenge to their livelihood that was so serious that only a major change in their traditional beliefs and practices could ensure their survival. This has not changed for the cattle breeders today, its just the challenges that have altered.

Commercial and stud herds are successfully operating under every climatic condition Australia has to offer as well as New Zealand, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, USA and South Africa.

Braford breeders of today are conscious of the demands of today's markets and with the recent introduction of Braford Group Breedplan are confident that today's Brafords will provide maximum return in any circumstance.

For more information contact Cindy Denning :-

Office Manager,
Australian Braford Society,
PO Box 749, Rockhampton 4700.
Fax 07 4927 5708
e-mail:- info@braford.org.au
Web Site: www.braford.org.au