Breeds of Beef Cattle
Terms
• Breed - group of animals related by decent
from common ancestors, with similar
characteristics
• Bull - a male
• Cow - a female
• Heifer - an unbred female
• Calf - an unmature (young)
• Steer - a castrated male
Breed Divisions
• British/English
• Continental/Exotic/European
• Bos Indicus/American/Zebu
British
• AKA: English
• General Characteristics
– Good Maternal Ability
– Early Maturing
– Adapt Well to Cold Climates
Angus
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Origin - Scotland
Color - Black
Polled
Moderate in Size
Excellent marbling
Early Maturing
Hereford
• Origin - England
• Color - Red with
White markings
• Horned
• Thick Hair Coat
• Good Disposition
Polled Hereford
• Origin - Iowa, Warren
Gammon
• Color - Same as
Hereford
• Polled
• Early Maturing
Red Angus
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Origin - U.S.
Color - Red
Polled
Moderate size
Developed from
recessive Gene
Shorthorn
• Origin - England
• Color - Red, White,
Red and White, Roan
Shorthorn
• Origin - England
• Color - Red, White,
Red and White, Roan
• Polled or Horned
• Good disposition
• Excellent Milk
Production
Shorthorn Plus
• 1/4 – 7/8 Shorthorn
• commercial ranks
• cattle with black
markings or coat color
cannot exceed the 1/2
percentage designation
Continental
• AKA: European or Exotic
• General Characteristics
– Growthy
– Fast Gaining
– Later Maturing
Charolais
• Origin - France
• Color - Cream White
with pink skin
• Horned
• Large size
• Fast growing
• Muscular
• Marbling can be a
Problem
Chianina
• Origin - Italy
• Color - White or Black
Hair with dark skin
• Horned
• Large Frame
• Lean Muscular Carcass
• Not Maternal Breed
• Largest Breed in World
Limousin
• Origin - France
• Color - Wheat to Rust
Red
• Horned
• Ease of Calving
• High Carcass
Cutability
Lim-Flex
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Combination 25% - 75%
Limousin and 25% - 75%
Angus or Red Angus
Sires and Dams must be
registered with either
ALBS, AAA, or ARAA
Maternal
Good Marbling
Carcass yield
Maine-Anjou
• Origin - France
• Color - Red with
White Underline
• Largest of French
Breeds
• Rapid Growers
• Dual Purpose Breed
Mainetainer
• 1/4 - 5/8 Maine-Anjou
• Can be crossed with
any other breed
• Adopted in 2002
• Ability to add other
breed traits to MaineAnjou
Simmental
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Origin - Switzerland
Color - Yellow to Red
and white
Horned
Heavy Milk
Production
• Large Frame
• Fast Growing
Bos Indicus
• AKA: American
• General Characteristics
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Heat Tolerant
Disease Resistant
Loose Skin
Thrive in Harsh Conditions
Brahman
• Origin - India
• Color - Gray, Red,
Brown, Black, White
• Horned
• Drooping Ears
• Hump over Shoulders
• Loose Skin
• Thrive in Hot, Humid
Climates
Beefmaster
• Origin - Lasater Ranch,
Texas, 1908
• 1/2 Brahman,
1/4 Shorthorn,
1/4 Hereford
• Color - Various
• Hardy, Rapid Growth
• Heavy Weaning
Weights
• Good on Range
Conditions
Brangus
• Origin - Oklahoma
• 3/8 Brahman
5/8 Angus
• Color - Black
• Polled
• Moderate in Size
• Show Brahman
Influence
Red Brangus
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Origin - Texas
Brahman X Angus
Color - Red
Polled
Drooping Ears
Males have Crest
Santa Gertrudis
• Origin - Texas, King
Ranch
• 5/8 Shorthorn
3/8 Brahman
• Color - Red
• Trace back to Single
Sire
• Hardy
• Good Mothering Ability
Star 5
• 50% or more Santa
Gertrudis
• Sire or Dam must be
registered
• Records influenced
cattle genetics and
performance
• More marketable than
purebreed
Simbrah
• Origin - U.S.
• Simmental X Brahman
• Color - Red and
White, solid
• Polled or Horned
• Dual Purpose
• Rapid Growth
Review Questions
• Name Two British Breeds
• Angus, Hereford, Polled Hereford, Red Angus, Shorthorn
• Name Two General Characteristics of American
Breeds
• Heat Tolerant, Disease Resistant, Loose Skin, Thrive in
Harsh Conditions
• What Breed is Largest in the World?
• Chianina
Review Questions Continued
• What Breed has a High Cutability Carcass?
• Limousin
• Where did the Santa Gertrudis originate?
• King Ranch in Texas