American Brahman

Brahman Cattle were the first beef breed developed in the United States. They were derived from several Bos indicus breeds of cattle brought into the United States from India between 1854 – 1926. (According to Oklahoma State University’s Department of Animal Science, some of the early Brahman were also likely imported into the United States via circus organizations.) In India, cows are considered holy and are revered, not eaten. The Brahman breed is named after Hindu priests, called “Brahmins,” whose title comes from the Hindu deity Brahma. Today, in the United States, Brahman cattle are primarily used in the meat industry, but they also serve as riding steer.