Beef Cattle Breeds

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Beef Cattle Breeds

• By Erin Bosch
• Topic 3082A, B

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Development of Breeds

• Many breeds originated in Europe
• Selection for breeds was practiced in British
  Isles
• Began in late 1700s
• Most desirable traits were kept
• Those without desired traits were culled
  (removed) from herd
• Newer breeds develop in 20th century in U.S.
• Exotic breeds became popular in 60s and 70s

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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

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Angus Description

• Black color
• Smooth hair
• Polled
• Have well-marbled meat
• Alert
• Vigorous

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Angus
                                             
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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

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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

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Charolais
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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

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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

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Chianina
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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

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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

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Devon
http//www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/
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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

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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

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Hereford
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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

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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

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Brahman