Brahman (cattle)

An American breed of zebuine-taurine hybrid beef cattle, developed in the United States beginning in 1885 from cattle imported from India, chiefly Gir, Guzera and Nelore stock along with smaller numbers of other Indian breeds. The breed tolerates heat, sunlight and humidity and resists parasites and insects well, which suits it to southern coastal American regions, and these traits carry through to crossbred offspring. Brahmans are raised mainly for beef, and because zebuine cattle produce lower quality meat than specialized European beef breeds they are often crossbred with European stock, producing hybrids such as Brangus and Brahmousin. The breed has spread worldwide, with an estimated population above 1.8 million head across fifty five countries.