Classification and Identification
of Cattle Breeds
Mt MorrisBeef Cattle Seminar
June 17, 2009
CLASSIFICATION OF BEEF CATTLE
Beef Cattle
BOS TAURUS
British
EUROPEAN
BOS TAURUS / INDICUS
BOS INDICUS
F1 Cross
ZEBU
BRITISH BREEDS OF CATTLE
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Hereford
Polled Herefords
Black Angus
Red Angus
Devon
Shorthorn
Red Poll
Galloway
British Whites
Scotch Highland
Welsh Black
Wagyu
Dairy Cattle
Jersey
Guernsey
Ayrshire
Milking Shorthorn
EUROPEAN BREEDS OF CATTLE
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Simmental
Limousin
Maine-Anjou
Dutch Belted
Salers
Charolais
Piedmontese
Blonde d’Aquitaine
Belgian Blue
Chianina
Gelbvieh
MRI
Normande
Pinzqauer
Devon
South Devon
Tarentaise
Dairy
Brown Swiss
Holstein
COMPOSITE BREEDS OF CATTLE
 Brangus
(RED & BLACK)
 Beefmasters
Beefmaker
 Simbrah
Braford
 Bramousin
Santa Gertrudis
 American
7 Way Composite
 Salorn
HYBRID-VIGOR BENEFITS
 More Climate variable
 Increased Growth Rate
 Increased Vigor and Fertility
BOS TAURUS BEEF BREEDS
BRITISH / EUROPEAN
Hereford
• Originated in England
• Red with white points
• Horned usually
• Known for pink eye
Bos Taurus / British Breed
Classification
Red Angus
• Originated in the British Isles
• Same as Black Angus
• Barred from Angus herdbook
• Recognized as separate breed
Bos Taurus / British Breed
Classification
Black Angus
• Native to Angus (near Scotland)
• Most popular beef breed in the US
• Always black in color
• Can produce Red Angus
• Known for Marbling Ability
Bos Taurus / British Breed
Classification
Texas Longhorn
• Originated in the United States
• Various colors
• Almost went extinct
• Known for Low Birth Weights
and Calving ease for Heifers
Bos Taurus / British Breed
Classification
Red Poll
• Developed in England
• Primarily used for meat in US
• Milk production in other countries
• Dark red and polled
Bos Taurus / British Breed
Classification
Shorthorn
• Originated in England
• White to red in color
• Roane Color, very popular for
show heifers.
Bos Taurus / British Breed
Classification
Murray Grey
 Developed in New South Wales-Australia
 Became a recognized Australian breed in 1962
 Cross of
Roan Shorthorn and Angus
 Known for small birth weights
 Good Carcass traits
 Docile Disposition
 Dark pigment on head and udders
Belted Galloway
 Developed in the 16th century in Scotland
 Know for shaggy coat-ideal for wet, cold
conditions
 Developed from a cross of Galloway and
Dutch Belted
 Have good marbling ability
 Polled and refered to as “Belties”
Devon
• Originated in England
• Also called North Devon
• One of the oldest beef breeds
• At one time used for milk
• Mature cows weigh 950-1300 lbs.
Bos Taurus / British Breed
Classification
South Devon
 High Maternal Breed
 Not Related to Devon
 High butterfat-4.2%
 Refered to as “Gentle Giants
Bos taurus/British Breed
Classification
Ayrshire
 Origin Scotland
 High butterfat and Protein
 Do Well in Harse Conditions
Bos taurus/British Breed
Classification
Guernsey
 Origin Jersey Isle in English Channel
 High butterfat and Protein
 Used in Grazing Operations
 Larger than Jersey cattle
Bos taurus/British Breed
Classification
Jersey
 Origin Jersey Isle in English Channel
 High butterfat and Protein
 Popular due to high components in Milk
 Small Mature Size
 Used in Crossbreeding
 #2 Dairy Breed
Bos taurus/British Breed
Classification
Bos Taurus
 Breeds of European Origin
Dutch Belted
 Dual Purpose
 Developed in Holland from cattle originating in
Austria
 Moderate Frame Size
Bos Taurus/Dutch Breed
Classification
Holstein
 #1 Dairy Breed
 Developed in North Holland and Freisland
 High Milk Production
 Large Mature Size
Bos Taurus/Dutch Breed
Classification
Brown Swiss
 Switzerland Origin
 Large Cattle Dual Purpose-Braunvieh
 High Milk Components
 Large Mature Size
 Developed at High Altitude
Bos Taurus/Swiss Breed
Classification
Limousin
• Native to South-Central France
• Golden-red to red-brown in color
Bos Taurus European
Breed Classification
Simmental
• First recorded in Switzerland
• Large body mass
• Light red to dark red with white points
• Known for Maternal Characteristics
Bos Taurus / European Breed
Classification
Wagyu
• All Japanese cattle
• Various colors
• Consists of many Japanese breeds
• Known for Marbling in the Meat
Bos Taurus / European
Breed Classification
Piedmontese
• Originated in Italy
• Double muscled breed
• Light to dark gray in color
Bos Taurus / European
Breed Classification
Blonde d’Aquitaine
• Originated in France
• Blonde color
• Known for Heavy Muscle
Bos Taurus / European
Breed Classification
Salers
• Native to France
• Milk production important in Europe
• Rod to brown in color
•Known for some Carcass Merit
Bos Taurus / European
Breed Classification
Tarentaise
• Originated in France
• Used for milk in Europe
• Red color
Bos Taurus / European Breed
Classification
Maine-Anjou
• Originated in France
• Mature bulls weigh 2100-3000 lbs.
• Mature cows weigh 1500-1900 lbs.
• Dark red with white markings
Bos Taurus / European
Breed Classification
BOS INDICUS BEEF BREEDS
ZEBU
Red Brahman
• Heat and Insect
Resistant
• Mothering Ability
Bos Indicus Classification
Brahman
• Developed in the United States
•Light gray or red to black
• Known for Mothering Ability
•Named after Brahman Shines in Indi
•A mix of Nelore, Indu-Brazil, Gyr
breeds
•Tropically adapted-have sweat gland
Bos Indicus Classification
Nelore
•Known form having smaller
ears and cleaner lines than
other zebu breeds.
•Biggest populations in
South America.
•Heat and Insect tolerant
Bos Indicus Classification
Indo Brazilian
• Known for Large Ears
• Heaviest Populations in
South America
• High in Maternal Attributes
Bos Indicus Classification
Africander
• Native to South Africa
• Usually red with long horns
• Used for meat and as a draft animal
• Mature cows weigh 1150-1350 lbs.
• Mature bulls weigh 1650-2200 lbs.
Bos Indicus Classification
Composite Beef Cattle Breeds
Hays Converters
• Developed in Canada
• Senator Harry Hays-Calgary, Alberta
•1/3 Hereford
•1/3 Holstein
•1/3 Brown Swiss
•Known for growth rate, high fertility,
sound udders, and high milk production
•First Recognized Composite in
Canada in 1975
•Composite Breed Classification
Brangus
• Originated in the United States
• 3/8 Brahman, 5/8 Angus
•Solid black
• Polled
Composite Breed Classification
Bramousin
• Originated in the United States
• Golden to red in color
• 5/8 Limousin, 3/8 Brahman
Composite Breed
Classification
Braford
• Developed in Florida
• 3/8 Brahman, 5/8Hereford
•Red with white points
Composite Breed Classification
Simbrah
• Originated in the United States
• Brahman and Simmental breeds used
• Light to dark red with some white marks
Composite Breed
Classification
Beefmaker
• Originated in the United States
• 3/4 Hereford, 1/4 Simmental
• Red with white points
Composite Breed Classification
Beefmaster
• Originated in the United States
• Brahman, Hereford, and Shorthorn
• Composite Breed Classification
Salorn
• Developed in the United States
• 5/8 Salers. 3/8 Texas Longhorn
• Lean meat
• Environmentally adaptable
Composite Breed Classification
Texon
• Originated in the United States
• Texas Longhorn and Devon breeds used
Composite Breed Classification
Santa Gertrudis
*Originated at the King
Ranch in Texas
*Made up of Brahman,
Hereford, and Shorthorn
Breeds
*Known for Heat tolerance
Composite Breed Classification
Review Of Beef Cattle Classification
 Cattle are Classified into Two Groups
 The Bos Taurus Classification includes what two
Groups.
 What are some Composite Breeds and what are
their makeup.
 What are some Breeds Attributes.