The Belmont Red cattle are a breed of beef cattle from Australia which are raised mainly for meat production.
It was developed by the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) during 1954 in response to the need in the Australian Tropics for cattle which would improve the fertility of Bos indicus cattle.
And it was released to the Australian cattle breeders by the CSIRO in 1969. The Belmont Red cattle were conceived at Belmont Research Station as a composite from several Bos taurus cattle breeds including Africander (African Sanga), Hereford and Shorthorn.
The breed has exhibited higher fertility than pure Bos indicus cattle breeds and better than most other Bos taurus and Bos indicus cross. Along with improved fertility the breed also remain the characteristics of hardiness and heat and tick tolerance.
Performance of the breed has been proven in comparison traits on research stations in Africa and Australia. Their good performance and relatively docile nature have been recognized by the Philippines and the Pacific Islands where improvement in livestock population is carefully monitored.
Currently the Belmont Red cattle are popular and produced mainly in Australia. They have achieved many wins and placings in Carcass competitions. Read more information about the breed below.
Belmont Red Cattle Characteristics
Belmont Red cattle are of medium sized animals and have a good conformation in relation to beefing quality. They are phenotypically and genetically a mix of Bos taurus and Bos indicus.
They have a smooth and short haired coat which is predominantly red in color. Although they may have some white occasionally.
They are pretty fast growers and reach maturity as early as about 10-14 months. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
These animals are beef cattle breed. They are raised primarily for meat production.
Special Notes
The Belmont Red cattle are renowned for their docility and relatively calm temperament.
They are known for their higher fertility, better meat quality, good growth rate, high resistance to ticks, placid temperament, superior heat tolerance and good feed efficiency on grass or in the feedlot.
They are well adapted to both temperate and tropical environment. Large commercial farms of the Belmont Red cattle are running on native pastures in both the Northern Territory and in the Queensland.
Calving rates of the animal is above 90 percent achieved in large breeder groups containing about 5,000 head. Currently the breed is found and bred mainly in Australia. However, review full breed profile of this breed in the chart below.
| Breed Name | Belmont Red |
| Other Name | None |
| Breed Purpose | Mainly meat |
| Special Notes | Strong, very hardy, well adapted to tropical and temperate environment, good for meat, excellent meat quality, grow relatively faster, docile temperament, high fertility, tick resistant, easy to care |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Climate Tolerance | Both tropical and temperate climates |
| Coat Color | Predominantly red |
| Horned | No |
| Milk Yield | Poor |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | Australia |
