| Bar GR Gelbvieh is situated in northern Alberta where the summer temperature rarely reaches 30 degrees Celcius and the winter temperature dips as low as -50 degrees Celcius. The humidity is low and the rainfall is adequate to produce conditions that would be comparable to Australia's temperate zone. The shortgrass country of southern Alberta and central British Columbia would be somewhat similar to the southern part of South Australia and New South Wales. But no Canadian environmental condition could ever prepare us for what we experienced after we touched down in Cairns and continued our journey by road through Queensland, Australia. On the thin ribbon of land along Bruce Highway #1 between Cairns and Mackay, cattle of distinct Bos indicus (Zebu) influence grazed contentedly on what appeared to be soil, stick, and stones, while the temperature hovered at 43 degrees Celcius (somewhat cooler than the 52 degrees Celcius the week previous). Apparently this area was in a severe drought condition and yet these Brahman cattle were surviving! We then realized that Northern Queensland cattlemen face a very complex tropical environment that places demands on their cattle to be highly adaptable under harsh tropical and climatic environmental conditions. These cattle faced heat stress, drought, cattle ticks - and survival was the number one priority - all problems that were foreign to us. Much to our amazement we also learned that Brahman cattle flourish in the severe tropical heat as well as being resistant to the cattle tick infestations which plague many other breeds in the region north of the Tropic of Capricorn. After doing a bit of research we were also dismayed to discover that tropical and subtropical Queensland had 10 005 000 beef cattle (1994) or almost 50% of Australia's total of 21 477 000. We also found out that throughout the years the Australian Brahman has played a significant role in making beef production profitable in Queensland! Bar GR Cattle not only runs a commercial herd of cattle but also raises purebred Gelbvieh (Gel fee) and markets both purebred and hybrid Gelbvieh-cross bulls to commercial cattlemen. The maternal traits that Gelbvieh exhibit (early maturity, fertility, rebreed quickly, milkability and mothering ability) along with easy calving and top feedlot performance have positioned this breed to be the fastest growing one in North America. Therefore, it was with great interest that we called upon some extremely hospitable Queensland Gelbvieh breeders who took the time to show us not only their operations but also important segments of the Queensland beef industry. First, we had the good fortune of meeting Brice and Fran Kaddatz of Kadfam Gelbvieh Stud at River Run, Septimus. Here we saw the very first tropically raised Gelbvieh, aptly named Adam and Eve, as well as a herd of Braford (Brahman X Hereford) cattle. It was most interesting to compare the growth rate of the Braford to the purebred Gelbvieh. |
| We were surprised to see that Kadfam Gelbvieh Stud's purebred Gelbvieh had acclimatized so well to the tropical climate and environment. This could be partly due to the generous dewlap and the fine hair coat that Gelbvieh possess. Brahmans are tick resistant because they can flinch their skin thus getting rid of the cattle tick. Although Gelbvieh cannot flinch their skin, apparently they develop a response that causes the skin surrounding the tick to swell and the tick then falls off, which I believe is called tick tolerance. Being from Canada we were impressed with the adaptability of the Gelbvieh breed. We knew from personal experience that Gelbvieh could withstand the harsh winters of northern Canada and yet they could also tolerate the heat and humidity of the tropics. Brice and Fran Kaddatz formed the Australian Tropical Gelbvieh Unit Trust. The four families involved are working towards a Gelbvieh X Brahman breed similar to the many other breeds derived from Brahman crosses that are presently gaining popularity in Queensland.
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