Brava cattle farming is pretty popular, especially in it’s native area. It is a beef cattle breed which is raised mainly for meat production purpose. But once the breed was also used for bull fighting. Today, it is raised mainly for meat production purpose.
The Brava cattle breed was originated from France, and raised mainly in the Camargue, the delta of the Rhone in southern area. It is bred specifically for bull-gighting either Spanish-style or Portuguese-style.
The Brava cattle breed is one of the two cattle breeds kept in semi-feral conditions in the Camargue. Another breed is the Raço di Biòu or Camargue breed. Although, the Camargue cattle breed is not a fighting breed, but it is used in a bloodless bull-sport, the course camarguaise.
The Brava cattle actually derives from the Iberian fighting cattle which were imported in the nineteenth Century. It is also known by some other names such as Brave, Espagnole Brava and Race de Combat.
Joseph Yonnet who was a breeder first introduced the breeding stock of the Iberian fighting bulls to France in 1869, and there were no further such imports until 1975. And a breed society for the Brava cattle was established in 1920, and a herdbook for the breed was established in the year of 1996.
Total population of the Brava cattle was estimated at 5950 in the year of 2004. But the number was reported to be 3275 in 2014. Currently, the Brava cattle is distributed to the Camargue, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Petite Camargue and Occitanie.
However, as the Brava cattle breed is good for meat production purpose, so starting commercial Brava cattle farming will be profitable. Especially if you can market cattle products easily in your area.
How to Start Brava Cattle Farming
Starting Brava cattle farming business is relatively easy. The Brava cattle are very strong and hardy animals, and they are well adapted to their local climates.
Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Brava cattle farming business from purchasing animals to caring and marketing.
Purchase Cattle
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy, active and diseases free animals for starting your Brava cattle farming business. Purchasing good quality animals is very important, because good quality animals always ensure good production and maximum profits.
You can purchase the cattle from any of your nearest livestock market, or you can search any existing Brava cattle farms in your area (if there are any). Just ensure that the animals are of good quality, healthy, active and diseases free.
Housing
Making a good housing system with all required facilities is another important part of Brava cattle farming business. Because, a good housing system not only helps the animals to stay healthy, but also helps them to stay free from adverse weather conditions and wild predators.
Type of your cattle housing system can be any depending on your budget, and also on the availability of building materials in your area. The house can be of full concrete setup, or you can build the house with low cost and easily available materials. Just ensure that the house is secure and comfortable for the animals.
The Brava cattle are classified as a small sized breed. So, they will require relatively less housing space. Ensure adequate housing space is available inside the house depending on the number of your animals.
Good ventilation system is a must for Brava cattle farming business. So, install good ventilation system, and ensure flow of sufficient amount of fresh air and light inside the house. Make the house in such a way so that you can clean the house easily. And clean the house regularly.
Feeding
Feeding the animals with very good quality, healthy and nutritious food is the most important part of Brava cattle farming business. Because good food not only helps the animals to grow better, but also helps them to stay healthy and produce more.
So, always try to provide your animals with good quality and nutritious food. The Brava cattle are raised mainly as a beef cattle breed. So, they will require more grains in their diet than greens. So ensure availability of adequate grains in their diet. You can also consider feeding them silage, especially during the dry season.
Like many other domestic cattle breeds, the Brava cattle also require lots of clean and fresh drinking water daily. So, ensure availability of sufficient amount of clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand. Never provide them with contaminated feeds or polluted water.
Breeding
Like many other domestic cattle breeds, the Brava cattle are also naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily if you keep good ratio of bulls and cows in your herd. You can also consider artificial insemination method for breeding your cows.
Caring
Taking good care of your animals is the most important part of Brava cattle farming business. Because good caring not only helps the animals to stay healthy, but also helps them to grow better and produce more.
So, always try to take good care of your animals. Vaccinate and de-worm them timely. And always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area.
Marketing
Marketing cattle products is not a problem. Because cattle products already have very good demand and value in the market. Hope you will be able to easily sell the products in the local market. Although, you should set your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Brava cattle farming business. Raising Brava cattle is very easy and simple. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
