Breeds of Beef Cattle

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Breeds of Beef Cattle
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The Beef Industry

• Produces 45 of all livestock cash receipts.
• An average person may consume 100 or more lbs. Of
  beef per year.
• Most beef eaten in the USA is raised in the USA
• The state of Texas leads in the of beef animals
  produced.

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Why Raise Beef Cattle?

• Cattle consume roughage may graze pasture.
• Less labor than other industries, such as dairy
• Beef cattle do not need to essentially be fed
  every single day.
• Useful in both large and small operations.
• Meat beef is in constant demand by consumers .

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Disadvantages to raising beef cattle

• A producer can take on several risks by raising
  beef cattle.
• Dependence on grain prices.
• Dependence on mother nature.
• Beef cattle are not as efficient growers as other
  livestock pigs.
• A beef cow has a gestation period of 283-days
  can only get one offspring in one year.
• Cost of starting a beef operation is expensive.
• Cattle, equipment, facilities/land, etc.

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Angus

• History
• Originated from Scotland.
• Imported to Kansas in 1873.
• Suited well to Midwestern climate.
• Today are found in every state in the USA.
• Breed Characteristics
• Black in color, smooth hair coat also Red Angus
• Polled
• Good carcass with well-marbled meat

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Angus
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Charolais

• History
• One of the oldest French breeds central France.
• Imported to Mexico in 1930.
• Then imported to Texas in 1936
• Breed Characteristics
• White to light blonde in color, pink skin
• Large and very well-muscled
• Horned
• Bulls 2,000-2,500 lbs. cows 1,500-1,800 lbs

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Charolais
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Chianina

• Pronounced Kee-ah-nee-na
• History
• Originated from Italy, one of the oldest in the
  world.
• Semen was imported to the USA in 1971.
• Breed Characteristics
• Black skin, originally white fur with black
  switch.
• BIG!
• Bulls - up to 4,000 lbs., 6 feet tall at withers.
• Cows - up to 2,400 lbs., 5 feet tall at withers.
• Improve growth rate if used in cross breeding.
• Polled

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Chianina
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Hereford (horned polled)

• History
• Originated in Hereford, England polled in Iowa,
  1901.
• First USA herd (horned) in New York in 1840.
• Breed Characteristics
• White faces with red, curled hair.
• horned
• Very hardy and excellent foragers.
• White pattern is dominant in cross breeding.

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Hereford
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Polled Hereford
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Limousin

• History
• Originated in France 7,000 years ago.
• Breed Association formed in 1886.
• Semen imported to USA from Canada in 1968.
• Breed Characteristics
• Light yellow color with lighter circles around
  eyes.
• Light colored skin.
• Lean carcasses with large loin eye area.
• Polled

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Limousin
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Shorthorn (polled and horned)

• History
• Originated in northern England, about 1600.
• Imported to Virginia in 1783.
• Breed Characteristics
• Red, White, or roan (mix of red and white) coat.
• Docile breed
• Excellent milking capability.
• Polled or horned

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Shorthorn
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Shorthorn Bull
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Brahman

• History
• Developed in southwestern USA.
• Closely related to Zebu, or Bos indicus cattle
  (India).
• Used mostly for crossbreeding.
• Breed Characteristics
• Characteristic hump over shoulder.
• Light or medium gray coat color.
• Large, drooping ears and loose skin.

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Brahman
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Brangus

• History
• A result of a cross of Brahman and Angus.
• Crosses made as early as 1912 in Louisiana.
• Red Brangus developed in Texas in 1946.
• Breed Description
• Solid black or red in color.
• Polled
• Good mothering ability feed efficiency.

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Brangus (Red or Black)
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Texas Longhorn

• History
• Originated from cattle brought from Columbus.
• Cattle escaped and existed in the wild.
• Almost became extinct by 1900.
• USA congress funded a purebred herd.
• Breed Characteristics
• Many different colors and shadings.
• Horns spreading 4 feet or more.
• Are able to survive on sparse pasture.

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Texas Longhorn
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Simmental

• History
• Originated in Switzerland in the middle ages.
• Most popular breed in Europe.
• Brought to USA in 1969.
• Breed Characteristics
• White to light straw faces, with dark red bodies.
• Horned
• Docile

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Simmental
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Gelbvieh

• History
• Originated in Bavaria (southern Germany)
• Introduced in the US in 1971 through AI programs
• Breed Characteristics
• Red naturally horned
• Polled cattle have been developed in US
• Superior fertility
• Calving ease
• Mothering ability
• High growth rate

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Gelbvieh
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Maine-Anjou

• History
• NW part of France
• Imported into North America via Canada in 1969
• Breed Characteristics
• Color is originally reddish with white markings
  on head, belly, rear legs tail (similar to
  Shorthorn)
• NOW..color is mainly black with white markings
• Dual-purpose breed
• Polled

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Maine Anjou