Breeds of Beef Cattle
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The Beef Industry
 Produces 45% of all livestock cash receipts (‘92).
 An average person may consume 100 or more lbs. Of
beef per year.
 Most beef eaten in the USA is raised in the USA.
 The state of Texas leads in the # of animals produced.
 Why raise beef?
Cattle consume roughage & may graze pasture.
Less labor than other industries, such as dairy.
Useful in both large and small operations.
Smaller initial capital investment.
Development of Breeds
Cattle, like most agricultural animals are bred.
Most are the result of many generations of breeding.
Most breeds were developed for a geographical area.
Cattle with desirable characteristics are kept.
Undesirable animals are no longer bred (culled).
No breed has is perfect in all of its traits.
No animal exhibits all of the perfect
characteristics of its breed.
Angus
History:
Originated from Scotland.
Earliest records date to 1700.
Imported to Kansas in 1873.
Suited well to Midwestern climate.
Today are found in every state in the USA.
Breed Characteristics
Black in color, smooth hair coat; also Red Angus
Polled (naturally have no horns).
Good carcass with well-marbled meat
Angus
Charolais
 History
One of the oldest French breeds; central France.
Imported to Mexico in 1930.
Imported to Texas in 1936.
Breed Characteristics
White to light blonde in color, pink skin.
Large and very well-muscled.
Naturally horned.
Bulls: 2,000-2,500 lbs.; cows: 1,500-1,800 lbs..
Charolais
Chianina
Pronounced “Kee-ah-nee-na”
History
Originated from Italy, one of the oldest in the world.
Semen was imported to the USA in 1971.
Breed Characteristics
Black skin, originally white fur with black switch.
BIG!
 Bulls
- up to 4,000 lbs., 6 feet tall at withers.
 Cows - up to 2,400 lbs., 5 feet tall at withers.
Improve growth rate if used in cross breeding.
Chianina
Hereford (horned & polled)
 History
Originated in Hereford, England; polled in Iowa,
1901.
First USA herd (horned) in New York in 1840.
Horned registered since 1881.
Breed Characteristics
White faces with red, curled hair.
Naturally horned.
Very hardy and excellent foragers.
White pattern is dominant in cross breeding.
Hereford
Polled Hereford
Limousin
History
Originated in France 7,000 years ago.
Breed Association formed in 1886.
Semen imported to USA from Canada in 1968.
Breed Characteristics
Light yellow color with lighter circles around eyes.
Light colored skin.
Small head with short neck.
Bulls - 2,400-2,000 lbs., Cows - 1,300 lbs..
Lean carcasses with large loin eye area.
Limousin
Shorthorn (polled and horned)
 History
Originated in northern England, about 1600.
Imported to Virginia in 1783.
First herdbook in the USA.
 Breed Characteristics
Red, White, or roan (mix of red and white) coat.
Docile breed
Bulls: up to 2,400 lbs.; cows: up to 1,500 lbs.,
Excellent milking capability.
Shorthorn
Shorthorn
Brahman
 History
Developed in southwestern USA.
Closely related to Zebu, or Bos indicus cattle (India).
Used mostly for crossbreeding.
 Breed Characteristics
Characteristic “hump” over shoulder.
Light or medium gray coat color.
Large, drooping ears and loose skin.
Brahman
Brangus
History
A result of a cross of Brahman and Angus.
Crosses made as early as 1912 in Louisiana.
Red Brangus developed in Texas in 1946.
Breed Description
Solid black or red in color.
Polled.
Good mothering ability & feed efficiency.
Brangus (Red)
Texas Longhorn
History
Originated from cattle brought from Columbus.
Cattle escaped and existed in the wild.
Almost became extinct by 1900.
USA congress funded a purebred herd.
Breed Characteristics
Many different colors and shadings.
Horns spreading 4 feet or more.
Are able to survive on sparse pasture.
Texas Longhorn
Simmental
 History
Originated in Switzerland in the middle ages.
Most popular breed in Europe.
Brought to USA in 1969.
 Breed Characteristics
With to light straw faces, with dark red bodies.
Naturally horned.
Docile
Bulls: 2,300-2,600 lbs., cows: 1,400-1,800 lbs..
Simmental
Other Breeds
Devon
Galloway
Gelbvieh
Maine Anjou
Murray Grey
South Devon
Highland
Belgian Blue
Blonde d’Aquintaine