Busted
Busted
By Lonnie Hoover

As Printed in the November 2007 issue of the Rare Breeds Journal

During the 2004 State Fair of Texas, I took a picture of a Miniature Zebu Bull standing beside a full size Brahman Bull (the Zebu was owned by Roger Maxwell of Jonesboro, LA).  My wife carries a copy of the photo to show it to whomever she is talking to about our Zebu.  The other day she came home telling of how upset a lady got and accused us of raising dwarf Brahman cattle.

So, I sent (pretend) the topic to the "MYTH BUSTERS" on the Discovery Channel, and here are the findings.

MINIATURE ZEBU CATTLE:

In an article by Marleen Felius of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, she wrote "Zebu cattle most likely originated from Asian Aurochs (Bos Namadicus), during the process of domestication, which took place as far back as 6500-6000 B.C."  Miniature Zebu cattle are one of the oldest known cattle breeds.  They are believed to have originated in Southern India or Sri Lanka, where they are referred to as Andean cattle, or "small cattle" in Hindu.  Miniature Zebu is one of the "Bosprimigenius indicus" of the Bovine family.

Miniature Zebu differs from other small cattle in that they are a natural breed.  They are not just bred to be tinier and tinier each generation or are the results of a breeding-gone-bad.

BRAHMAN CATTLE:

From "A Guide to Cows", written by John Pukite: Mr Pukite lists the orgin of the Brahman as the "USA, developed from Indian breeds".  He goes on to say "the American Brahman started from only four breeds; the Gir, the Krankrej, the Krishna Valley and the Ongole (all are regions of India).  Normally the cows were sacred and could not be exported for consumption.  The British government, ignoring the local customs, presented a few of these cattle as a gift to the United States government in 1854.  During the next 50 years, the English allowed more cattle to be exported.  The Brahman became the first developed American cattle breed and a Brahman Society was formed in 1924.

NOW LETS REVIEW THE FACTS:

Miniature Zebu Cattle, are known to exist as far back as 6500-6000 B.C.

Brahman cattle, an American Breed developed around 1850-1900 from imported Zebu stock.

When you look at a Miniature Zebu, you are looking at a natural breed.  When you look at a Brahman, you are looking at a giant Miniature Zebu, a breeding gone bad.

MYTH BUSTED