The Great Depression was a hard and trying time that resulted in many great discoveries and accomplishments and the beef industry was no exception. Prior to the Depression, beef farmer Ed Lasater began to introduce Brahman lines to his Hereford herd, in hopes of increasing heat and disease, stressing milk production. After he died, his son Tom Lasater began to combine the Brahman and Hereford cattle with some Shorthorn bulls. Lasater then began to combine the Brahman-Hereford and the Brahman-Shorthorn and this resulted in the first Beefmaster cows. He began breeding this herd to further develop the breed. This became America’s first composite breed, with modern Beefmaster cattle having approximately 50% Brahman blood and approximately 25% Hereford and Shorthorn blood.
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One thing that makes the Beefmaster breed different that other breeds are the Six Essential traits that Lasater heavily selected for. These traits are focused on making the animal as economically efficient as possible and are disposition, fertility, weight, conformation, hardiness, and milk production. Lasater believed that things such as color or horns should not be focused on, as these are traits that don’t have to do with the animal’s end economic worth. All these traits led to Beefmaster cattle being a dual-purpose breed and also being known as “The Profit Breed”. They are maternal breed with excellent growth and carcass traits. The cows are required to calve by two years, with minimal calving problems and typically high weaning weights. This breed is also very hardy, able to withstand drought and high heat, as well as colder temperatures. Often when other breeds may be trying to find shade, Beefmaster cattle can stay out and continue to graze. These specific traits and qualities were selected for through Ed and Tom Lasater’s consistent culling of any cow or calf that did not meet their
One thing that makes the Beefmaster breed different that other breeds are the Six Essential traits that Lasater heavily selected for. These traits are focused on making the animal as economically efficient as possible and are disposition, fertility, weight, conformation, hardiness, and milk production. Lasater believed that things such as color or horns should not be focused on, as these are traits that don’t have to do with the animal’s end economic worth. All these traits led to Beefmaster cattle being a dual-purpose breed and also being known as “The Profit Breed”. They are maternal breed with excellent growth and carcass traits. The cows are required to calve by two years, with minimal calving problems and typically high weaning weights. This breed is also very hardy, able to withstand drought and high heat, as well as colder temperatures. Often when other breeds may be trying to find shade, Beefmaster cattle can stay out and continue to graze. These specific traits and qualities were selected for through Ed and Tom Lasater’s consistent culling of any cow or calf that did not meet their