Excellent feed conversion ratio and good disposition allow the Nelore to be early finished in feedlots, with highly positive results. While the beef of some breeds have excessive marbling, or intra-muscular fat, beef from Nelore cattle have enough fat to be highly palatable. The Nelore matches the recent shift in the beef industry towards a low calorie, leaner meat diet, without compromising taste. This was demonstrated at the 1991 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, when a purebred Nelore steer won the Best Overall in Taste contest, competing against dozens of hybrid and European steers. Nelores have long, deep bodies with clear underlines, keeping vulnerable parts out of the way of infection.
Cows have small udders and short teats, while bulls' sheaths are also short.
These characteristics contribute to the breed s reproductive efficiency. Nelore dams have a long and prolific reproductive life, pronounced mothering ability, and plenty of milk for their calves. The Nelore cows calve very easily due to their greater frame, wide pelvic opening and larger birth canal, which reduces the incidence of distocia. Maternal Instinct and Disposition. Nelore dams have highly developed maternal instinct throughout the whole milking period, which is of great importance for extensive breeding systems.