Breeds of Beef Cattle The Beef Industry Produces

Breeds of Beef Cattle

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

Why Raise Beef Cattle? çCattle consume roughage & may graze pasture. çLess labor than other industries, such as dairy l Beef cattle do not need to essentially be fed every single day. çUseful in both large and small operations. çMeat ”beef” is in constant demand by consumers.

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

Angus ã History: çOriginated from Scotland. çImported to Kansas in 1873. çSuited well to Midwestern climate. çToday are found in every state in the USA. ã Breed Characteristics çBlack in color, smooth hair coat; also Red Angus çPolled çGood carcass with well-marbled meat

Angus

Charolais ã History çOne of the oldest French breeds; central France. çImported to Mexico in 1930. l Then imported to Texas in 1936 ã Breed Characteristics çWhite to light blonde in color, pink skin çLarge and very well-muscled çHorned çBulls: 2, 000 -2, 500 lbs. ; cows: 1, 500 -1, 800 lbs

Charolais

Chianina ã Pronounced “Kee-ah-nee-na” ã History çOriginated from Italy, one of the oldest in the world. çSemen was imported to the USA in 1971. ã Breed Characteristics çBlack skin, originally white fur with black switch. çBIG! l Bulls - up to 4, 000 lbs. , 6 feet tall at withers. l Cows - up to 2, 400 lbs. , 5 feet tall at withers. çImprove growth rate if used in cross breeding. çPolled

Chianina

Hereford (horned & polled) ã History çOriginated in Hereford, England; polled in Iowa, 1901. çFirst USA herd (horned) in New York in 1840. ã Breed Characteristics çWhite faces with red, curled hair. çhorned çVery hardy and excellent foragers. çWhite pattern is dominant in cross breeding.

Hereford

Polled Hereford

Limousin ã History çOriginated in France 7, 000 years ago. çBreed Association formed in 1886. çSemen imported to USA from Canada in 1968. ã Breed Characteristics çLight yellow color with lighter circles around eyes. çLight colored skin. çLean carcasses with large loin eye area. çPolled

Limousin

Shorthorn (polled and horned) ã History çOriginated in northern England, about 1600. çImported to Virginia in 1783. ã Breed Characteristics çRed, White, or roan (mix of red and white) coat. çDocile breed çExcellent milking capability. çPolled or horned

Shorthorn

Shorthorn Bull

Brahman ã History çDeveloped in southwestern USA. çClosely related to Zebu, or Bos indicus cattle (India). çUsed mostly for crossbreeding. ã Breed Characteristics çCharacteristic “hump” over shoulder. çLight or medium gray coat color. çLarge, drooping ears and loose skin.

Brahman

Brangus ã History çA result of a cross of Brahman and Angus. çCrosses made as early as 1912 in Louisiana. çRed Brangus developed in Texas in 1946. ã Breed Description çSolid black or red in color. çPolled çGood mothering ability & feed efficiency.

Brangus (Red or Black)

Texas Longhorn ã History çOriginated from cattle brought from Columbus. çCattle escaped and existed in the wild. çAlmost became extinct by 1900. çUSA congress funded a purebred herd. ã Breed Characteristics çMany different colors and shadings. çHorns spreading 4 feet or more. çAre able to survive on sparse pasture.

Texas Longhorn

Simmental ã History çOriginated in Switzerland in the middle ages. çMost popular breed in Europe. çBrought to USA in 1969. ã Breed Characteristics çWhite to light straw faces, with dark red bodies. çHorned çDocile

Simmental

Gelbvieh ã History çOriginated in Bavaria (southern Germany) l Introduced in the US in 1971 through AI programs ã Breed Characteristics çRed & naturally horned çPolled cattle have been developed in US çSuperior fertility çCalving ease çMothering ability çHigh growth rate

Gelbvieh

Maine-Anjou ã History çNW part of France l Imported into North America via Canada in 1969 ã Breed Characteristics çColor is originally reddish with white markings on head, belly, rear legs & tail (similar to Shorthorn) çNOW…. . color is mainly black with white markings çDual-purpose breed çPolled

Maine Anjou