And with this thought path come a number of myths which have hampered the spread of Bos Indicus breeds in southern Australia.

A field day, to be held June 28 at Drummond in Central Victoria, will work at righting this situation, according to event organiser Georgie Elliott, Corumbene Brangus, Leongatha.

The event will showcase cattle from Droughtmaster, Brangus, Brahman and Santa Gertrudis breeders based in southern Australia, including a sale of selected animals and a cattle judging workshop.

This workshop will be conducted by Brett Coombe, Roxborough Brahmans, Moura, Queensland and Andrew Byrne, a technical officer with Southern and Tropical Beef Technology Services, Armidale.

What has created problems for the breed, according to Mr Elliott, has been misinformation concerning cold climate suitability, meat tenderness and temperament.

Mr Elliott, who has also been involved with Brahman cattle in Queensland, said all three ideas were completely wrong.

“Brangus and Santa Gertrudis are hugely used all through the United States and it gets freezing cold in some of those places,” he explained.

And are they “mad”?

“Anyone who reckons they’re mad has only ever seen them in places where cows see humans once a year”.

GeneStar has disproved any ideas about eating quality, with Bos Indicus breeds scoring in the top grades for tenderness and marbling, Mr Elliott said.

What has set them apart from their rivals, Mr Elliott said, is the ability of the Bos Indicus to “finish off”, compared with their British counterpart.

“In steer development and feeder cattle they are easy doing and quick coat finishing.

“They shine off a lot quicker than your British breed cattle.”

And when used in a commercial herd, any Bos Indicus breed will greatly improve progeny’s hybrid vigour.

“The hybrid vigour you get from crossing British and Bos Indicus cattle is extraordinary.”

Backing this point is Tony Hooppell of Rodwells Rochester.

About 20 per cent of his clients are operating either Bos Indicus or Bos Indicus-infused herds.

“They’re hardy cattle; they just thrive,” Mr Hooppell said.

“It’s their doability and they shine up really well once things get going.”

Commercial clients in his area tend to put a Bos Indicus or European bull over Bos Indicus females, Mr Hooppell said, with a lot of progeny sold as vealers.

Temperament has never proved a problem “greater than any other breed” and marketability is a non-issue, Mr Hooppell said.