Common Beef Cattle Breeds
c 12 C
Today we will…
• Compare and contrast Bos Taurus and Bos
Indicus
• Describe characteristics of common beef
cattle breeds
• Classify breeds into American, British, and
European
Making Knowbooks 
• You are in charge of your knowbook about beef
cattle breeds!
• Be creative with your notes!!! Write down stuff
that will help YOU remember
• You will use your knowbook for throughout this
unit.
• Sneak peeks will be allowed to view your
knowbooks during our test so make sure you use
your paper wisely!! 
How your knowbook will be graded…
• Your knowbook will be graded based on
completeness, organization and neatness/
• You need to draw a picture of each breed in your
knowbook along with the info.
• You choose the way its organized. Again this is for
YOUR use.
• With that being said, organization is key so you
can access info quickly!!
• Knowbooks will stay in the classroom.
Subgroups
• Bos Indicus (American by way of India)
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Heat tolerant
Increased parasite & disease tolerance
Improved production in subtropical climates
American Influenced
• Bos Taurus (European and British)
– Maternal and(or) terminal breeds
– Positive carcass traits: marbling,tenderness, yield
– Excellent production in temperate climates
British Breeds
• Angus
• Hereford
• Polled Hereford
• Shorthorn
• Red Angus
Angus
Angus
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Originated in Scotland
Solid black in color
Naturally polled
Consumer preference
led to Certified Angus
Beef
• Known for good
marbling
Hereford
Hereford
• Originated in
Hereford, England
• Red with white head,
legs, and underline
• Horned
• Early maturing
• “Mothering” breed
Polled Hereford
Polled Hereford
• Developed in Iowa by
Warren Gammon
• Naturally hornless
• Red with white face,
legs and underline
Shorthorn
Shorthorn
• Originated in England
• Red; red & white or
roan in color
• Originally used as a
dual purpose breed
for meat and milk
• Sometimes called the
Durham breed
Red Angus
Red Angus
• Originated in the British Isles
• Same as Black Angus
• Barred from Angus herdbook
• Recognized as separate
breed
Pictures from http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/
Exotic (European/ Continental) Breeds
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Maine-Anjou
Simmental
Limousin
Charolais
Chianana
Maine-Anjou
Maine Anjou
• Originated in France
• Dark red with white
markings or black
• Developed by crossing
the Mancelle breed
with the Shorthorn
breed
Simmental
Simmental
• Originated in
Switzerland
• Oldest breed of cattle
in the world
• Large, powerful breed
• Brought to the United
States in 1971
• Orange/Yellow and
white to black in color
Limousin
Limousin
• Native to South-Central
France
• Golden-red to red-brown in
color
Pictures from http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/
Charolais
Charolais
• Originated in France
• Traditionally white in
color
• Long bodied, large
cattle
• Heavily muscled
• Coarse looking
Chianina
• Originated in Italy
• One of the oldest
breeds of cattle
• Tallest breed of beef
cattle
• Short hair that is
white to steel gray
• Terminal breed
• Low milk production
American Breeds
• Brahman
• Brangus
• Santa
Gertrudis
• Simbrah
• Beefmaster
Brahman
Brahman
• Originated in India
• Able to survive on
very little, poor feed
• Insect & heat resistant
• Excess skin and large
hump on back
• White to gray, red to
black
• Sweat glands
Santa Gertrudis
Santa Gertrudis
• Developed on the King
Ranch in Texas
• All Santa Gertrudis are
descendants of the bull,
Monkey
• They were created by
crossing shorthorn cows
and Brahman bulls
• 3/8 Brahman and 5/8
Shorthorn
Brangus
• Originated in the United
States
• 3/8 Brahman, 5/8 Angus
•Solid black
• Polled
Pictures from http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/
Simbrah
Simbrah
• Originated in the United States
• Brahman and Simmental breeds
used
•3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Simmental
• Light to dark red with some white
marks
Pictures from http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/
Beefmaster
Beefmaster
• Originated in the United States
• ½ Brahman, ¼ Hereford, and ¼
Shorthorn
Pictures from http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/
Quiz
Write question and answer in your Knowbook
1. Which breed is know for the hump on their shoulders and excess skin?
2. Where did the Angus originate?
3. What is the coloring pattern of the Hereford?
4. What’s ½ Brahman, ¼ Shorthorn and1/4 Hereford called?
5. Which of these breeds is known for their marbling ability?
6. Name the two different subgroups in cattle?
7. Is Brahman Bos Indicus or Bos Taurus?
8. What is your favorite breed and why?