Our property “Carabeen” is nestled high in the Border Ranges of South East Queensland. It consists of fertile creek flats and rising ridges of kikuyu, clover and maku lotis. The property runs two studs – Bazadais and Angus.
Carabeen Bazadais are selected exclusively for the four drivers of profit in beef production; feed efficiency, growth rate and fertility while maintaining a moderate frame score. Feed efficient, moderate framed cattle with high growth rate allow us to stock at a higher rate and produce more kilograms of beef per hectare. More kilos of beef means more profit.
Bazadais cattle are proven to have superior feed efficiency, marbling and tenderness and Bazadais is the only breed consistently ranked in the top six in Genestar interbreed comparisons for all of these qualities (Pfizer 2009).
Bazadais also offer all the benefits of hybrid vigour of other European breeds without the calving difficulties of double-muscled sires or the reduced yield of heavy bone.
Breed
Marbling
Tenderness
Feed Efficiency
Angus
1.8
5.7
5.9
Bazadais
1.6
6.5
6.7
Brahman
1.9
3
7.2
Charolais
1.6
5.1
6.4
Droughtmaster
1.8
3.7
6.7
Hereford
1.2
5.7
5.8
Limousin
1.4
5.1
6.7
Lowline
1
4.8
6.3
Murray Grey
1.7
6.3
4.3
Santa Gertrudas
1.4
4
7
Shorthorn
1.4
4.6
6.1
Simmental
1.1
4.3
6
Wagu
4.2
5.4
6.1
To date Bazadais have principally been used as terminal sires over Bos indicus based breeds with outstanding results in carcase competitions. Their potential as terminal sires over Bos taurus breeds is yet to be realised and the results should be just as exciting.
We pride ourselves on the quality of our stud and endeavour to make rapid and significant genetic improvement. Recently, we have begun an in-herd EBV program as we believe EBVs are critical to breed improvement with direct benefit to commercial buyers.
At Carabeen we walk the talk. Our business, Carabeen Beef, delivers paddock to plate Bazadais and Angus meat to discerning customers and bespoke restaurants. The success of our business depends on marbling and tenderness for the production of premium beef. Quiet temprament is paramount. Bazadais is the cornerstone of profit in our paddock to plate business.
We walk the talk. Discover our secret ingredient in our paddock to plate business.
Experience has shown us the direct financial benefits of crossbreeding Bazadais over a commercial Angus herd.
Easy calving Higher growth rates Increased yield
At “Carabeen” we produce premium grass-fed cattle to supply our own branded beef. The cattle are processed at 14 - 16 months and weigh 450 – 600 kg.
Historically we raised Angus to fill this niche market but quickly realised the benefits of changing to a Bazadais Angus cross.
Birthweight and Calving Ease Bazadais are renowned for producing small calves which grow rapidly from 3 weeks of age. The calves are not doubled muscled so there are no horror stories of 70 kg calves common to other European breeds.
Our Angus calves weigh on average 38 kg at birth, while the Bazadais Angus calves are slightly heavier at 39.5 kg. The only calvings that have required our assistance have been malpositions, such as breech births. Malpositioning is not an inherited condition and is found in all breeds.
Growth rate Bazadais Angus cross steers and heifers outperform their Angus counterparts. The Bazadais Angus steers and heifers consistently weigh 11% heavier at 200 and 400 days than their pure Angus cousins.
Bazadais Angus cross
Angus
Birth weight
39.5 kg
38 kg
200 day weight
303 kg
270 kg
400 day weight
422 kg
380 kg
Yield
73+%
61%
Easy calving, quicker turn off or increased weight at slaughter, and higher yield gives the commercial producer a substantial increase in profit for no extra time, energy or money.
Payment of producers based on yield (% of dressed weight/carcase weight) using objective carcase measurements is becoming a common practice as the financial benefit to processers is considerable.
Bazadais are lean, heavily muscled, small boned cattle. Their EMA are high and their IMF is low with a uniform distribution of fat over the carcase. Unlike other European breeds they are light boned.
The Bazadais Angus cross have similar qualities being characteristically small boned with 5-8mm fat evenly distributed along the whole carcase when finished on grass. The combination of an even light fat layer and small bone means little trim and waste and high yield.
Pure Bazadais yield 75% or higher. Likewise, Bazadais Angus cross consistently yield 73+%, out-performing our best Angus at 61%.
Our property “Carabeen” is nestled high in the Border Ranges of South East Queensland. It consists of fertile creek flats and rising ridges of kikuyu, clover and maku lotis. The property runs two studs – Bazadais and Angus.
