Beef Cattle Breeds
By: Erin Bosch
Topic 3082A, B
Development of Breeds
 Many
breeds originated in Europe
 Selection for breeds was practiced in British Isles
 Began
 Most
in late 1700s
desirable traits were kept
 Those
without desired traits were culled (removed)
from herd
breeds develop in 20th century in U.S.
 Exotic breeds became popular in 60s and 70s
 Newer
Angus History
 Official
name: Aberdeen-Angus
 Originated
in Scotland, in shires of Aberdeen and
Angus
 Earliest
written records of Angus breeds in 1700s
 In 1862, the first herdbook of Angus was published
 First imports of Angus to U.S. was in 1873
 Today, Angus breeds are found in every state
Angus Description
 Black
color
 Smooth hair
 Polled
 Have well-marbled meat
 Alert
 Vigorous
Angus
Charolais History
 Oldest
French breed of beef cattle
 Developed around Charolles in central France
 Charolais started to be imported in 1930
 First
to Mexico, then from Mexico to Texas
Charolais Description
 White
to light straw color with pink skin
 Heavily muscled breed
 Mature cows weigh 1500-1800 lbs
 Mature bulls weight 2000-2500 lbs
 Most are naturally horned, with white horns
 Well adapted to most areas
 Used for many cross-breeding programs
Charolais
Chianina History
 Originated
in Chiana Valley, Italy
 One of oldest breeds of Italy and probably the
world
 Chianina semen was imported to U.S. in 1971
Chianina Description
 Original
breed was white with a black switch
 Skin pigment is black
 High heat tolerant
 Gentle
 Bulls can weigh up to 4,000 lbs
 Cows can weigh up to 2,400 lbs
 Have fine-textured meat
Chianina
Devon History
 Originated
in Devon and Somerset of SW England
 Old breed of cattle
 Brought to U.S. in 1623 by colonists
 Used for milk, beef, ox teams and leather
 Devon herdbook was started in 1850
Devon Description
 Rich
red in color
 Yellow skin
 White, black tipped horns
 Polled Devons are from a mutation from 1915
 Long and moderately deep body
 High heat tolerance and adaptable to many
climates
Devon
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/
Hereford History
 Originate
in Hereford, England
 Early breeds were selected for high yield of beef
 First purebred Hereford was started in 1840 in U.S.
 Breed became popular in U.S. in 1870
Hereford Description
 White
faces and red bodies
 White on belly, legs and switch
 Docile and easily handled
 Produce more calves than any other breed in
adverse conditions
 Horned
 Superior foragers and hardiness
Hereford
Brahman History
 Developed
in southwest US from imported breeds
of India
 Early breeds were selected for hardiness
 Ability to produce in southwest climate was also
selected for
 Used in development of newer breeds of cattle
Brahman Description
 Light
gray or red to almost black color
 Most common color is light to medium gray
 Characteristic hump over the shoulders
 Loose skin, called the dewlap, under the throat
 Large drooping ears
 Have high heat tolerance
 Resistant to disease and insects
Brahman