Beefalo is a specialized hybrid animal created from the crossbreeding of two distinct species: domestic cattle (Bos taurus) and the American bison (Bison bison). Essentially, it's a unique blend of these two powerful bovines.
The Hybrid Composition
To understand what Beefalo is made out of, it's crucial to look at its parentage and the intentional breeding process behind it:
- Domestic Cattle (Bos taurus): This refers to common beef or dairy cattle breeds. In managed breeding programs designed to create Beefalo, a male domestic cattle is typically used.
- American Bison (Bison bison): Also known as buffalo, the American bison is a large, wild bovine native to North America. In the creation of Beefalo, a female American bison is usually the partner in managed breeding programs.
The combination of these two animals results in an offspring that shares genetic traits from both sides, forming the Beefalo breed.
Purpose of Creation
The primary motivation behind creating Beefalo was to develop an animal that combines the desirable characteristics of both domestic cattle and American bison specifically for beef production. This genetic fusion aims to inherit beneficial traits such as:
- Hardiness and adaptability from the bison.
- Docility and efficient growth rates from domestic cattle.
This strategic breeding allows producers to harness the best qualities of each parent species into a single, commercially viable animal.
