The Boran breed originated in eastern Africa and has been bred as a pure breed for 1300 years. Initially, Boran cattle were found in southern Ethiopia, northern Kenya and southwestern Somalia and they originate from the native shorthorned Zebu cattle. Breeders in Kenya had identified the most efficient beef breed of the indigenous stock, and through selective breeding, continued to refine them.
In Australia, the CSIRO in Rockhampton was eager to develop a breed that could adapt to tropical climates, but was not related to the Brahman. The Boran emerged as the ideal candidate for development. After collecting embryos from Zambia in 1988, they were later implanted into Australian-bred cows in the Cocos Islands. It wasn't until 1990 that calves were first imported into Australia.
Boran cattle are medium-sized, can be horned or polled, and coat colour can be grey, fawn or red. The breed is known for high fertility, disease resistance, efficient food conversion, adaptability, and mothering ability. They are valuable in cross-breeding programs as they mature rapidly and produce high quality beef. They possess a strong hybrid vigour which is very important to many commercial breeders. Their fine short hair helps to make the breed extremely heat tolerant. In Winter, the breed is protected from the cold by its excessively thick skin and hair (which sheds during summer).
Mothers are known to be extremely protective and calving problems are rare. Over time, the breed has become very adaptable, developing characteristics such as sound legs capable of managing long distance walking and the ability to endure situations when food is scarce or unavailable. Boran also produce a well-marbled beef with even fat cover.
Today, the Boran breed is distributed throughout Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Australia and the United States.
