The concept of developing a new breed by stabilizing the best characteristics of two proven breeds in a fixed proportion is unique to the International Brangus Breeders Association. Rather than top crossing on commercial cows, proven individuals of the two parent breeds serve as the foundation for establishing new bloodlines.

Registered Brangus must be 5/8 Angus or Red Angus and 3/8 Brahman, solid black or red and polled. Both sire and dam must be recorded with the International Brangus Breeders Association. Foundation Angus, Red Angus and Brahman cattle must be registered in their respective breed association prior to being enrolled with the IBBA. Intermediate crosses necessary to reach the 5/8-3/8 percentage are certified by the IBBA.

In recent years, the majority of Brangus cattle entered in the herdbook are from Brangus parents, but an increasing number of foundation Brahman and Angus are being enrolled as the breed achieves greater recognition. The herd book of the International Brangus Breeders Association is open in a unique way. Registered Angus, Red Angus and Brahman cattle can be enrolled as foundation stock for new Brangus bloodlines.

The exact procedure for breeding up to Brangus consists of enrolling foundation Angus or Red Angus and Brahman, certifying the intermediate crosses (1/4 bloods, 1/2 bloods, and 3/4 bloods with the Brahman percentage always given first) and then registering the animals as Brangus when they reach the 3/8 - 5/8 level. The certified intermediate crosses are simply a tool to get to Brangus and are rarely crossed back to one another. It is possible to either breed 1/4 Brahman to 1/2 bloods, or 3/4 Brahman to Angus to get to Brangus (see chart). In the IBBA's program, the reciprocal crosses are equal so those developing new bloodlines can best utilize all their crosses.

There are also opportunities to provide certified foundation cattle for breeding up to Brangus to those breeders who do not want to develop all the intermediate crosses themselves. The program for breeding up to Brangus is particularly appealing to the registered Angus breeder who can buy a 3/4 bull or use 3/4 semen to produce registered Brangus in the first generation. Those with Brahman and 1/2 bloods can raise 3/4 bulls for sale to Angus breeders and can also breed their 3/4 heifers to outstanding Angus or Red Angus bulls if they choose and start a Brangus or Red Brangus herd from 3/4 cows.