Breeds of Beef CattleBreeds of Beef Cattle

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The Beef IndustryThe Beef Industry

Produces 45% of all livestock cash receipts (‘92).Produces 45% of all livestock cash receipts (‘92).An average person may consume 100 or more lbs. Of An average person may consume 100 or more lbs. Of

beef per year.beef per year.Most beef eaten in the USA is raised in the USA.Most beef eaten in the USA is raised in the USA.The state of Texas leads in the # of animals produced.The state of Texas leads in the # of animals produced.Why raise beef?Why raise beef?

Cattle consume roughage & may graze pasture.Cattle consume roughage & may graze pasture.Less labor than other industries, such as dairy.Less labor than other industries, such as dairy.Useful in both large and small operations.Useful in both large and small operations.Smaller initial capital investment.Smaller initial capital investment.

Development of BreedsDevelopment of Breeds

Cattle, like most agricultural animals are bred.Cattle, like most agricultural animals are bred.Most are the result of many generations of breeding.Most are the result of many generations of breeding.Most breeds were developed for a geographical area.Most breeds were developed for a geographical area.Cattle with desirable characteristics are kept.Cattle with desirable characteristics are kept.Undesirable animals are no longer bred (culled).Undesirable animals are no longer bred (culled).

No breed has is perfect in all of its traits.No breed has is perfect in all of its traits.No animal exhibits all of the perfect No animal exhibits all of the perfect

characteristics of its breed.characteristics of its breed.

AngusAngusHistory:History:

Originated from Scotland.Originated from Scotland.Earliest records date to 1700.Earliest records date to 1700.Imported to Kansas in 1873.Imported to Kansas in 1873.Suited well to Midwestern climate.Suited well to Midwestern climate.Today are found in every state in the USA.Today are found in every state in the USA.

Breed CharacteristicsBreed CharacteristicsBlack in color, smooth hair coat; also Red AngusBlack in color, smooth hair coat; also Red AngusPolled (naturally have no horns).Polled (naturally have no horns).Good carcass with well-marbled meatGood carcass with well-marbled meat

AngusAngus

CharolaisCharolais

HistoryHistoryOne of the oldest French breeds; central France.One of the oldest French breeds; central France.Imported to Mexico in 1930.Imported to Mexico in 1930.Imported to Texas in 1936.Imported to Texas in 1936.

Breed CharacteristicsBreed CharacteristicsWhite to light blonde in color, pink skin.White to light blonde in color, pink skin.Large and very well-muscled.Large and very well-muscled.Naturally horned.Naturally horned.Bulls: 2,000-2,500 lbs.; cows: 1,500-1,800 lbs..Bulls: 2,000-2,500 lbs.; cows: 1,500-1,800 lbs..

CharolaisCharolais

ChianinaChianina

Pronounced “Kee-ah-nee-na”Pronounced “Kee-ah-nee-na”HistoryHistory

Originated from Italy, one of the oldest in the world.Originated from Italy, one of the oldest in the world.Semen was imported to the USA in 1971.Semen was imported to the USA in 1971.

Breed CharacteristicsBreed CharacteristicsBlack skin, originally white fur with black switch.Black skin, originally white fur with black switch.BIG! BIG!

Bulls - up to 4,000 lbs., 6 feet tall at withers.Bulls - up to 4,000 lbs., 6 feet tall at withers. Cows - up to 2,400 lbs., 5 feet tall at withers.Cows - up to 2,400 lbs., 5 feet tall at withers.

Improve growth rate if used in cross breeding.Improve growth rate if used in cross breeding.

ChianinaChianina

Hereford (horned & polled)Hereford (horned & polled) HistoryHistory

Originated in Hereford, England; polled in Iowa, 1901.Originated in Hereford, England; polled in Iowa, 1901.First USA herd (horned) in New York in 1840.First USA herd (horned) in New York in 1840.Horned registered since 1881.Horned registered since 1881.

Breed CharacteristicsBreed CharacteristicsWhite faces with red, curled hair.White faces with red, curled hair.Naturally horned.Naturally horned.Very hardy and excellent foragers.Very hardy and excellent foragers.White pattern is dominant in cross breeding.White pattern is dominant in cross breeding.

HerefordHereford

Polled HerefordPolled Hereford

LimousinLimousin

HistoryHistoryOriginated in France 7,000 years ago.Originated in France 7,000 years ago.Breed Association formed in 1886.Breed Association formed in 1886.Semen imported to USA from Canada in 1968.Semen imported to USA from Canada in 1968.

Breed CharacteristicsBreed CharacteristicsLight yellow color with lighter circles around eyes.Light yellow color with lighter circles around eyes.Light colored skin.Light colored skin.Small head with short neck.Small head with short neck.Bulls - 2,400-2,000 lbs., Cows - 1,300 lbs..Bulls - 2,400-2,000 lbs., Cows - 1,300 lbs..Lean carcasses with large loin eye area.Lean carcasses with large loin eye area.

LimousinLimousin

Shorthorn (polled and horned)Shorthorn (polled and horned) HistoryHistory

Originated in northern England, about 1600.Originated in northern England, about 1600.Imported to Virginia in 1783.Imported to Virginia in 1783.First herdbook in the USA.First herdbook in the USA.

Breed CharacteristicsBreed CharacteristicsRed, White, or roan (mix of red and white) coat.Red, White, or roan (mix of red and white) coat.Docile breedDocile breedBulls: up to 2,400 lbs.; cows: up to 1,500 lbs., Bulls: up to 2,400 lbs.; cows: up to 1,500 lbs., Excellent milking capability.Excellent milking capability.

ShorthornShorthorn

ShorthornShorthorn

BrahmanBrahman

HistoryHistoryDeveloped in southwestern USA.Developed in southwestern USA.Closely related to Zebu, or Closely related to Zebu, or Bos indicusBos indicus cattle (India). cattle (India).Used mostly for crossbreeding.Used mostly for crossbreeding.

Breed CharacteristicsBreed CharacteristicsCharacteristic “hump” over shoulder.Characteristic “hump” over shoulder.Light or medium gray coat color.Light or medium gray coat color.Large, drooping ears and loose skin.Large, drooping ears and loose skin.

BrahmanBrahman

BrangusBrangus

HistoryHistoryA result of a cross of Brahman and Angus.A result of a cross of Brahman and Angus.Crosses made as early as 1912 in Louisiana. Crosses made as early as 1912 in Louisiana. Red Brangus developed in Texas in 1946.Red Brangus developed in Texas in 1946.

Breed DescriptionBreed DescriptionSolid black or red in color.Solid black or red in color.Polled.Polled.Good mothering ability & feed efficiency.Good mothering ability & feed efficiency.

Brangus (Red)Brangus (Red)

Texas LonghornTexas LonghornHistoryHistory

Originated from cattle brought from Columbus.Originated from cattle brought from Columbus.Cattle escaped and existed in the wild.Cattle escaped and existed in the wild.Almost became extinct by 1900.Almost became extinct by 1900.USA congress funded a purebred herd.USA congress funded a purebred herd.

Breed CharacteristicsBreed CharacteristicsMany different colors and shadings.Many different colors and shadings.Horns spreading 4 feet or more.Horns spreading 4 feet or more.Are able to survive on sparse pasture.Are able to survive on sparse pasture.

Texas LonghornTexas Longhorn

SimmentalSimmental

HistoryHistoryOriginated in Switzerland in the middle ages.Originated in Switzerland in the middle ages.Most popular breed in Europe.Most popular breed in Europe.Brought to USA in 1969.Brought to USA in 1969.

Breed CharacteristicsBreed CharacteristicsWith to light straw faces, with dark red bodies.With to light straw faces, with dark red bodies.Naturally horned.Naturally horned.DocileDocileBulls: 2,300-2,600 lbs., cows: 1,400-1,800 lbs..Bulls: 2,300-2,600 lbs., cows: 1,400-1,800 lbs..

SimmentalSimmental

Other BreedsOther Breeds

DevonDevon

GallowayGalloway

GelbviehGelbvieh

Maine AnjouMaine Anjou

Murray GreyMurray Grey

South DevonSouth Devon

HighlandHighland

Belgian BlueBelgian Blue

Blonde d’AquintaineBlonde d’Aquintaine