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From Texas With Love: The Essential Guide on How to Import Brahman Cattle Internationally

Brahman Bull with Brahman Cow

February 26, 2024

Are you thinking about importing Brahman cattle from America? It’s a big move that can open up new possibilities for your herd. You’re not just introducing new bloodlines but taking a step to lift your herd’s quality to world-class standards. 

Why Import Brahman Cattle?

Brahman cattle are uniquely suited to warm climates. They have an exceptional capacity to regulate heat with their signature loose skin and abundant sweat glands (4 times more than other cattle breeds!).

Countries such as Australia, Thailand, South Africa, Botswana, Pakistan, and India are ideal for raising and breeding Brahmans. In fact, they are home to some of V8’s largest clients!

Some people import Brahman for crossbreeding purposes. However, most of V8’s clients are focused on purebred activities, whether for showing, breeding, or commercial meat production.

Choosing Your Brahman Cattle Breeding Partner

Here at V8 Ranch, we’re known for our diverse and premium Brahman genetics, celebrated worldwide for their quality. You will find our cattle across six continents, and we’re just getting started!

As the second-largest breeder in the United States, importing Brahman cattle from our ranch assures you receive high-quality genetics you can count on. It’s more than just increasing your herd size; it’s about enhancing the genetic makeup of your cattle with globally admired traits. Imagine introducing qualities like resilience, adaptability, and exceptional meat or dairy production into your herd – that’s the kind of game-changing impact we’re talking about.

When you work with V8, you work with family. We are in the business of relationships – not just signing contracts. With us, you have a long-term partner and resource you can come back to for advice, problem-solving, and continual herd enhancement. 

We are exceptionally well-connected in the industry. Partnering with us connects you with a global network of breeders who are all about excellence, offering a chance to share knowledge and experiences. By choosing to import from V8 Ranch, you’re not just getting new cattle but tapping into a legacy of excellence in Brahman genetics.

Importing V8 Genetics to Your Brahman Herd

We understand the transformative impact of integrating superior Brahman genetics into your herd. Our mission is to offer breeders like you a range of options to access these top-notch genetics, each designed to meet different needs and objectives. Let’s break them down:

Option One: Frozen Brahman Bull Semen

Choosing frozen Brahman bull semen from V8 Ranch is a strategic and cost-effective approach to accessing our premium genetics. It’s an ideal solution for breeders who aim to introduce specific traits or enhance certain qualities in their herd. The benefits of opting for frozen semen include the following:

  • Genetic Diversity: Introducing new bloodlines can improve traits like resilience and adaptability, as you’d see in an F-1 cross. A cross in cow families also results in a boost. For example, the JDH x V8 cross, which is two purebred Brahmans between two different herds, offers a premium blend of two genetic leaders.
  • Flexibility and Convenience: This option allows you to use the semen according to your breeding schedule and reduces the complexities of transporting live cattle.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Frozen semen represents a lower financial commitment than purchasing live cattle, making it a viable option for a broader range of breeders.

Our ranch offers Brahman genetics to individuals and large-scale cattle producers worldwide. 

For non-US breeders seeking to ship Brahman bull semen abroad, we offer both direct and facilitated purchasing options:

  • For direct overseas semen sales, our team handles the entire export process for you. We coordinate logistics like freight, import taxes, and documentation filings to ship our V8 Brahman semen internationally according to your region’s specifications.
  • We also partner with distributors in countries across the globe. These facilitators have on-the-ground expertise in local markets’ import regulations, logistics networks, and breeding landscapes. They can advise the most pragmatic way to source V8 Brahman genetics to match your herd’s needs and limitations.

If you are an international cattle operation, our team is ready to help you get access to the premier Brahman genetics that align with your breeding goals, budget, and import preferences.

Please contact us here for foreign semen sale options.

 

Option Two: Importing Live Brahman Cattle

For breeders looking to substantially and immediately impact their herd, importing live Brahman cattle from V8 Ranch offers a significant advantage. The importation of live cattle provides:

  • Immediate Genetic Uplift: Quickly integrate top-tier genetics directly into your herd.
  • Showcase and Breeding Prospects: Introducing live cattle into your existing herd offers expanded opportunities for show and breeding programs.
  • Collaboration: Breeders can pool resources to share the costs and benefits, fostering a community that collectively advances herd quality.

Option Three: Partnering with Local Brahman Cattle Importers

A strong (and often-overlooked) avenue is purchasing cattle from breeders who have already integrated V8 genetics into their herd. These V8-influenced animals bring several advantages:

  • Ease of Access to V8 Genetics: This allows you to benefit from V8’s legacy without the complexities of direct importation.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Typically more affordable than direct imports, this option is well-suited for budget-conscious breeders.

No matter what choice you make – be it the precision of frozen semen, the immediate impact of live cattle, or the practicality of acquiring from previous importers – investing in V8 offers you a strategic investment in the future of your herd.

Navigating the Global Import/Export of Brahman Cattle (AKA: How to Mail a Cow)

Importing cattle can be a considerable undertaking, so partnering with a seasoned and experienced breeder is ideal. 

Steps to Import Brahman Bull Semen Internationally

Once you complete the sale of your desired Brahman bull semen, V8 will help you navigate the rules and regulations associated with importing them to your country. CSS semen is required for all US-based exports.

All V8 semen is CSS-certified. 

CSS (Certified Semen Services) is a quality assurance program run by the National Association of Animal Breeders. It establishes rigorous standards and protocols for bovine semen production to promote consistency, disease control, and flagship quality for artificial insemination usage.

Facilities must meet requirements through routine inspections and audits to achieve CSS certification. The program oversees quality control testing to ensure semen meets benchmarks for sperm viability traits.

CSS-certified semen reassures buyers that bulls are screened for hereditary diseases and that samples are properly collected, evaluated, processed, stored, and shipped according to exacting industry guidelines. For resale and exports especially, CSS certification is the gold standard for quality.

With its thorough monitoring of production and storage protocols, the CSS program enables cattle breeders to provide healthy, high-quality genetics to the herd. V8 values these rigorous standards by utilizing CSS-certified semen exclusively.

  1. Complete the sale terms.
  2. Apply for a permit to import bovine semen from the destination country’s ministry of agriculture/customs department. Provide details on origins, CSS certification, quantities, etc.
  3. Export health certificates – The semen supplier must have valid export health certificates for the bulls and facility as required by the destination country. Ensures disease-free status.
  4. Shipment and transport – Semen is shipped in specialized frozen cryogenic containers by air transport to stay frozen. Handling and transport must retain unbroken cold chain according to CSS protocols.
  5. Inspection upon arrival – Upon airport arrival, present import docs. Destinational authorities will inspect permits/paperwork, validate quantities, and clear release for transportation.
  6. Transport to facility – Transport frozen semen to quarantine facility or storage site in a temperature-controlled vehicle maintaining the cold chain.
  7. Storage and usage – Store frozen semen adhering to CSS technical guidelines on handling cryopreserved specimens. Follow usage restrictions from agriculture authorities.

    Steps to Export Live Cattle Internationally

    1. Complete the sale terms.
    2. Choose a freight partner (see V8’s preferred list below).
    3. Work with an accredited veterinarian to test the cattle for various diseases and obtain international health certificates. This includes tests for diseases like tuberculosis, brucellosis, etc.
    4. Contact the country you intend to export to and ensure your cattle meet their specific import requirements for live cattle. Each country has their own rules.
    5. Work with a USDA-approved export inspection facility to inspect your cattle before export. They will verify the identity of animals, review medical records, and seal the shipment.
    6. Schedule a USDA Veterinary Services endorsement of your international health certificates within seven days of export. This confirms the vet’s findings.
    7. Transport cattle under seal to the port of departure. Most Texas cattle exports go through Houston or Dallas airports. Ensure trucks and handling equipment meet export sanitation requirements.
    8. Confirm port export facilities meet federal export isolation mandates before loading.
    9. Obtain an export license from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (for some destinations).
    10. Clear all export paperwork with customs at the port of departure.
    11. Follow individual country import regulations upon cattle arrival, such as quarantines, additional testing, etc., before cattle enter the main herd.

    Check out this video from our friends at Strickland Ranch that explains how exporting Brahman works.

      It may seem overwhelming—particularly if you have not brought Brahman genetics in from overseas before. But with V8, you are in great hands. We have been shipping animals and semen internationally day in and day out since what seems like the dawn of time!

      Our strategic alliances with reputable and reliable freight forwarders have honed our global export operations to a fine art. These partnerships are the cornerstone of delivering Brahman cattle efficiently and effectively to diverse regions, including Asia, Africa, Central America, and the South Pacific. 

      Here are a few of the export partners we work with often who have websites.

      Africa

      Asia

      Central and South America

      Mexico

      Guide to Exporting Cattle to Mexico – Texas Department of Agriculture

      This guide outlines the responsibilities we have as US-based exporters and what you, as a Mexican Importer, need to have prepared for us.

      The Middle East

      Philippines

      Our collaborators play a crucial role in simplifying the intricacies of international cattle export, ensuring that each shipment meets our high standards of care and professionalism. This collaborative approach allows us to provide our clients with a seamless, stress-free experience, regardless of their location.

      If you are an exporter and we missed you on this list, please drop us an email so we can ensure we have your current info. 

      If you are a breeder looking to import V8 genetics, we are happy to help you find the right export partner. When you work with V8, we will guide you through this process, make certain you feel comfortable with all the steps, and ensure your animals are well cared for. Contact us to get started.

      What Happens to the Cattle During the Shipment

      On the day your cattle are set to be shipped to you, the freight partner sends a big truck to collect your animals.

           World Wide Livestock Express, Inc. arriving to pick up V8 Brahman cattle for international shipment

          When the cattle arrive at the airport, they are put into crates. The number of head per crate depends on the space available in each crate rather than the weight capacity. 

          V8 Cattle heading to Botswana, Africa

          Once on the plane, all animals are air-conditioned (usually around 60 degrees). The most important goal is ensuring the animals are well cared for during export.

          Depending on the country the Brahman cattle are being shipped to, the following happens once they arrive at their destination country.

          1. Upon landing, government veterinarians and import inspection agents meet the plane on the tarmac to clear and process the live cargo.
          2. Documentation like international health certificates, export/import permits, and inventory manifests are reviewed and verified before unloading.
          3. Cattle are carefully offloaded into designated export/import pens and holding facilities where further health inspections take place. This area is separate from domestic livestock and closed to unauthorized personnel.
          4. Identification tags, unique markings (such as the V8 brand), and microchips are cross-checked against shipping manifests to validate the identity and numbers of cattle imported.
          5. Government vets visually inspect the cattle for signs of injury, disease, or distress from travel. They may order additional testing at this stage.
          6. Once cleared, specialized livestock transport trucks that have been fully sanitized pick up the cattle for transport under seal to approved quarantine or isolation facilities.
          7. When the quarantine period is over, your animals arrive at your ranch!

          The entire import process aims to treat the animals humanely and minimize the risk of disease transmission to local livestock populations.

          V8’s Global Impact on the Brahman Industry

          At V8 Ranch, our international shipments are more than just business; they’re about building relationships and supporting agricultural growth globally. In just the last twelve months, we have been fortunate to share our herd’s top-tier genetics with partners halfway around the world and to impact their communities for the better.

          Botswana: A Milestone in Agricultural Partnership

          Our 2023 shipment to Botswana was a significant chapter in our story. We sent 44 V8-branded, hand-selected Grey Brahmans there in a joint effort with J.D. Hudgins, Inc. These weren’t just any cattle; they were the cream of our crop, showcasing the best of V8 genetics. But it was more than a shipment; it was about improving Botswana’s agricultural sector. This move was part of our broader goal to support and enrich global agriculture through our expertise in cattle breeding.

              The Philippines: Expanding Horizons in Asia

              Another highlight was our venture into the Philippines, marking an essential expansion into Asian markets. We delivered 49 of our finest Brahman cattle, including 21 V8-branded females representing our breeding program’s pinnacle. This shipment featured V8 Superblends and offspring from some of our top bulls. 

              What made this delivery special was the involvement of local breeders and advisors from the Philippines. This collaborative approach ensured that our shipment met the specific needs of our partners, demonstrating our commitment to working hand-in-hand with local experts in every market we touch.

                  Entering New Market

                  We aim to further our global footprint, establishing partnerships in countries with a keen interest in our Brahman genetics. For example, in February 2024, we accomplished the first Pakistan semen order from V8 Ranch on Brahman.

                      Importing V8 Brahman Cattle to Bilwani Cattle & Goal Farm in Karachi, Pakistan

                      Importing Brahman genetics could provide crucial climate-adaptive traits to bolster Pakistan’s national cattle herd against considerable environmental challenges that hinder dairy and beef output. Brahman cattle and their crosses boast heat tolerance essential for punishing temperatures exceeding 120°F, disease resilience combating endemic pathogens and parasites, plus feed efficiency to glean nutrients from variable forages – advantages that address key production barriers. Through strategic crossbreeding schemes, our friends at Bilwani Cattle & Goat Farm are looking to tap into V8’s Brahman genetics to amplify productivity and food security for their community. 

                      This foray into the Middle East signifies expanding our business and a deepening of our commitment to enhancing global cattle breeding practices. 

                      We’re inspired by these countries’ enthusiasm for V8 Ranch’s Brahman cattle and are committed to exploring these opportunities. Each new market presents a unique set of challenges and possibilities, and we’re excited to navigate these with the same dedication and expertise that have become hallmarks of V8 Ranch.

                      By continuing to build relationships, understand local agricultural needs, and share our expertise, we look forward to significantly impacting new regions. 

                          See V8 Genetics in Action

                          To truly understand and appreciate the exceptional quality of our Brahman cattle, there’s no substitute for seeing them in their home environment. That’s why we invite potential buyers to visit us at V8 Ranch. Here, you’ll get a firsthand look at our meticulous breeding practices, the care we provide our animals, and the overall quality of our herd. This visit is not just a tour; it’s an immersive experience that offers invaluable insights, helping you make the most informed decision for your herd’s future.

                          Importing Brahman cattle from V8 Ranch is an investment in quality genetics and a commitment to enhancing your herd. Our global shipping expertise and various options to incorporate our genetics ensure a tailored experience for every breeder. Whether you’re considering frozen semen, live cattle, or V8-influenced pedigrees, we’re here to assist in every step of this exciting journey. 

                          Contact us to learn more and start the process of bringing V8 Ranch’s premier Brahman genetics to your country.

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