Breeds of Cattle

Identify breeds of cattle by characteristics.

Identify breeds of cattle by picture.

Recommend a breed of cattle to fit certain scenarios.

Objectives

Why do we need to be able to identify different breeds of cattle by characteristics?

Why is it important to identify different breeds of cattle by looking at them?

Why is it important to be able to recommend a breed of cattle for different scenarios?

Why

What are some different characteristics of cattle?

What are some identifying physical characteristics for different breeds of cattle?

What

Name the breed.

Name the breed.

Name the breed.

Name the breed.

Milking BreedsHolsteinJerseyBrown SwissMilking ShorthornAyrshireGuernsey

Breeds of Cattle

HolsteinOriginated in the

NetherlandsNorth Holland and

Friesland.Most common US

dairy breed.90% of US dairy

breedImported to US in

1850’sExcellent grazersTypical cow

HolsteinLargest dairy breed

90 lbs. at birth1500lbs at muturity

Black and white or red and white

Docile cowsAggressive bulls, high

libido.Outstanding milk

production.17,408 lbs. milk/year

Lower butterfat content632 lbs. butterfat (3.63%)

JerseyOrigin- British Isle of

JerseyBrought to US in 1850’sMouse brown

Dark muzzle and switchMay have broken pattern

(spots)Small framedHorned

Adaptable to wide range of climatesSouth Africa, Japan,

Denmark, US, New Zealand

JerseyExcellent for

intensive grazing programs

Produce more lbs. of milk per lbs. of body weight than any other breed.(16,000 lbs. from

900 lb. cow)Very high in

butterfat(4.6% fat)

Nervous temperament compared to other dairy breeds.

Very masculine bullsLeast docile

temperament of common breeds of cattle.

Brown SwissOrigin-Switzerland

From Braunvieh cattle imported in 1869 by Henry M. Clark of Belmont, Mass.

Brown Swiss name coined in US 1906

Very old breed.Brown Swiss Cattle

Breeders AssociationFormed in 1880

Brown SwissLight to dark shades of

brown. Dark nose, eye

pigment, hoovesHornedLarge furry earsLong gestationStructurally correctVery docile (almost

lestargic)Average butterfat (4%)

Milking ShorthornOrigin-NE England,

Valley of Tees RiverImported to US in 1783Not declared a dairy

breed until 1969Red, roan, whiteSmall framedEasy calvingVery versatileLowe butterfat (3.8%)

AyrshireOrigin-County of

Ayr,ScotlandUS in 1822Moderate butterfat

(3.9%)Dark, Magogany red

and white.Horned

Used to be very long (>1ft) and distinctive

Now dehorned as calves

AyrshireMedium framedHigh quality uddersEfficient grazersStructurally correct

1929, 2 cows were walked from Vermont to St. Louis for National Dairy Show

Later calved and had outstanding milk production.

GuernseyOrigin-Isle of

Guernsey, English Channel

Believed to have developed from French cattleBrought to island by

monks in 960 ADBecame a breed

around 1700Brought to US in

1840

GuernseyFrom light yellow to

red or brownWhite on belly, legs,

and tail switch.High butterfat content

(4.7%)Close to Jerseys

Yellow milk fatHigh concentration of

beta caroteneCheese colorGolden Guernsey

Lower calving interval

Younger at first calfGentle dispositionExcellent grazers

Breeds of CattleMeat Breeds

AngusRed AngusHerefordPolled HerefordLimousinBrangusShorthornCharolaisBelted GallowayBeefmaster

ChianinaSanta Gertrudis Texas LonghornBeefaloBelgian Blue

AngusOrigin- Aberdeen

county in ScotlandImported to Kansas

in 1873BlackPolled, small earsAdapt well to cold

weatherSmall framedGood mothers

AngusMost popular breed

of cattle in USOver 280,000

registered in 2009Known for high

quality carcassesHigh marblingCertified Angus BeefFatter carcasses

Red AngusOriginally part of Black

Angus breed.Removed from Angus

herd book in 1917.Red Angus Assoc. of

America started in 1954RAAA led other breed

Assoc.Artificial InseminationPerformance DataPromoted

CrossbreedingCommercial Breeders

Red AngusProduced form

recessive gene in Angus.“English longhorns”

crossed with black.Same characteristics

as Black Angus.

Hereford (Horned)Origin-

Herefordshire, England in 1742

Came in US in 1817Henry Clay,

KentuckyGreatly improved

post Civil War cattleRed body, white face,

brisket, tail switch.Short down-turning

horns

Hereford (Horned)Medium framedDocile dispositionsHigh fertility, easy

calvingEarly maturingHardy, easily

adaptableLess milkThe Rare Breed 1966

Vindicator

Hereford (Polled)Developed from horned

herefordsWarren Gammon, Des

Moines, IA – 1901Began Polled Hereford

Club with 11.Registry combined AHA

Polled gene Dominant mutation

Docile fast growing Similar to Herefords

LimousinOrigin- South,

central FranceCave drawings over

20,000 years ago.Imported to US from

CanadaOne bull for showing

in 1968Bulls for permanent

res. in 1971Bob Haag, Topeka,

KS

LimousinOriginally horned

Now may be polled or horned

Originally golden-red in color.Now also black due

to upgrading with Angus

Light color around eyes and muzzle.

Medium to large framed

Heavy muscled, leanLow marblingFast, efficient

growersLow milk productionAggressive

dispositionDeveloped docility

EPD

Brangus5/8 Angus X 3/8 BrahmanCrossed in 1930s in LA,

MS, OK, and TX1949- Formed American

Brangus Breeders Association (now International)

Combination of heat tolerance and carcass characteristics

Hybrid vigor-traits of offspring exceed that of either parent

BrangusBrangus claves were

heavier, healthier.Solid blackPolledHump, large earsGood mothersMeat still tough

Need less than ¼ Brahman

ShorthornOrigin-Northeastern

coast of EnglandUS 1783Shorthorn Herd Bood-

1846First breed registry in

USFirst used to improve

LonghornShorthornWide-set eyesRed, Roan, or white

ShorthornOver 30 breeds of

cattle have shorthorn in %.Angus, Santa

Gertrudis, Milking Shorthorn

Small to moderate frame

Very docile disposition

Early maturingEasily adaptableGood mothers, hardyHigh marbling

Belted GallowayDeveloped from non-belted

GallowayImported to US by Harry

Prock 1950 to PennsylvaniaPolledSmall FramedHardy, undemanding,

adaptableGood naturedGood meat qualityEasy calving, good mothers.Oreo cow/ Belties

CharolaisOrigin-FranceWhite cattle in

region since 878 ADNamed for the

Charolles region of France

First brought to Mexico after WWI-1930

Imported to US from MexicoKing Ranch, TX

1936

CharloaisWhite, light straw, or

light cream.Red Allowed in

registry Pink nose and pale

hoovesHornedFast growingHeavy weaning and

yearling weightsMedium to large

framed

Older at pubertyHeavily muscled,

coarse bodied.Some calving

problemsLow milk production

BeefmasterDeveloped by Tom Lasaster,

TX 1930’sBrahman, Shorthorn, and

Hereford geneticsActual % not known

No emphasis on traits that do not affect carcassHorns, hair coatGenerally brownish-red; not

official color. Recognized purebred 19545th largest breed registry in

USGood mothers, fertile

Chianina (Kee-a-nee-na)Origin-West, central

ItalyDeveloped as draft

aniamlBefore Roman Empire

Discovered US soldiers WWII

Semen 1st imported 1971 CA

Bulls imported from Canada 1973

ChianinaWhite to steel hair

coatCan register any

colorShort hair

Santa Gertrudis

Texas Longhorn

Beefalo

Belgian Blue