Senepol-Brahman Crossing Offers Promising Yields

A Senepol Crossbreeding Project study conducted by the Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade has revealed positive results on the long-term performance of F1 Senepol x Brahman females in the Katherine region. Over the 11 years of the study, F1 Senepol heifers were found to outperform Brahman heifers, although the performance of mature cows of both breeds was similar.

This project seeks to offer northern Australian producers broader market options and less vulnerability to live export market fluctuations.

The research, which involved crossing Senepol and Brahman bulls with Brahman cows, showed that F1 Senepol females were heavier at weaning and that mature cows were heavier, taller and with a lower P8 fat layer compared to the Brahmans. A higher pregnancy rate was also observed in F1 Senepol heifers and lower calf loss compared to Brahman heifers. Despite these differences, weaning rates and annual live weight production were similar between both breeds.

This study provides confidence to northern Australian producers considering crossbreeding with a tropically adapted Bos taurus breed, as it indicates that the performance of cross-bred herds is likely to be as good as that of current Brahman herds.