Breeds of Livestock Dairy Beef Swine Sheep Breeds

Breeds of Livestock Dairy – Beef – Swine - Sheep

Breeds of Dairy Cattle

Ayrshire • • Developed in Scotland Came to U. S. in 1822 Cows weigh 1200 lbs. Ranks 3 rd in milk production

Brown Swiss • • • One of the oldest dairy breeds Originated in Switzerland Came to U. S. in 1869 2 nd in average milk production Cows weigh 1500 lbs.

Guernsey • Originated on island of Guernsey off the coast of France • Brought to U. S. in 1831 • Fourth in milk production • Produces a golden colored milk • Cows weigh 1100 lbs.

Holstein-Friesian • Developed in the Netherlands • Came to U. S. in 1852 • 90% of all dairy cattle in the U. S. are Holstein • Largest of all dairy cattle - 1500 lb. cows • First in milk production

Jersey • Came from island of Jersey off cost of France • First came to U. S. in 1815 • Lowest in milk production, highest in butterfat • Smallest dairy breed • Cows weigh around 1000 lbs.

Milking Shorthorn • One of the oldest recognized breeds in the world, a segment of the Shorthorn breed • Originated in northeastern England • Came to U. S. (Va. ) in 1783 • Provided milk, meat, and transportation to pioneers • Red, red & white, or roan in color

Beef Cattle Breeds

Angus • Developed in Scotland • Came to U. S. in 1873 • No. 1 in numbers of registered animals • Always polled • There is a Red Angus breed

Brahman • Developed in U. S. between 1854 -1926 • Brood stock came from India • Used in crossbreeding programs • Large hump on back and loose skin • They have a high heat tolerance

Charolais • • • One of the oldest breeds Originated in France Came to U. S. in 1936 from Mexico Very large – cows up to 1800 lbs. Used in many crossbreeding programs

Chianina • • • Developed in Italy Came to U. S. in 1971 Used in crossbreeding programs They have black skin and white hair Largest breed of cattle. Cows up to 2400 lbs.

Gelbvieh • Originated in Bavaria, southern Germany • Developed during late 18 th century • Introduced to U. S. in 1971 • Red in color • Known for calving ease, mothering ability and calf growth

Hereford • • • Developed in England. Came to U. S. in 1830 s - Henry Clay More Hereford’s registered than any other breed. Easy breed to handle White color is always dominate.

Limousin • Developed in France • Semen shipped to Canada in 1968 • Very wide horns • Meat is very lean

Polled Hereford • • Developed in Iowa in 1901 Same as Hereford breed except no horns

Red Angus • Same genetics as Angus, except red color • Were registered with Black Angus herdbooks until 1917 • Red Angus Assoc. of America formed in 1954

Shorthorn and Polled Shorthorn • • • Developed in England about 1600 Came to Va. in 1783 Originally a dual purpose breed Red, white or roan in color Are good mothers

Simmental • Developed in Switzerland • Came to U. S. in 1969 • Has no color requirement • Large and docile

Texas Longhorn • Developed from Spanish cattle, brought to new world by Columbus • Roamed free in the southwest until after the Civil War • Was replaced by new breeds in 1880 s • Numbers are increasing

Scotch Highland • Oldest registered breed of cattle • Disease resistant, lashes protect eyes from insects • Long horns • Even temperament • Requires little shelter of feed supplements • From Scottish Highlands, raised from Alaska to Texas

Belted Galloway • Distinctive white belt • Brought to Pennsylvania in 1959

Icelandic • Found in Iceland • Originated in Norway, brought in during settlement of Iceland in 10 th century • Selected for milking and protein percentage in milk.

Gir • Zebu breed from India • Long ears • Long horns that sweep back and spiral • Used in the development of the Brahman

Indo-Brazilian • Zebu breed developed in Brazil from 1910 - 1930 • Originated from the Gir breed • Taller and lighter muscled than the Brahman • White to dark grey • Very large ears

Beef Cross Breeds

Santa Gertrudis • • • Developed on King Ranch in Texas 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Shorthorn cross Red or cherry red in color They have loose folds of skin Hair grows short in hot weather and long in cold

Beefmaster • Developed on Lasiter Ranch in Texas from 1908 -1930 • Brahman-Hereford crossed with Brahman. Shorthorn • Bred for six essentials: weight, conformation, milking ability, fertility, hardiness, and disposition

Droughtmaster • Developed in northern Australia • 1/2 Brahman x 1/2 Shorthorn • Red color, honey golden to dark red • Lean carcass • Tick and heat resistant • Calving ease, good temperament

Brangus • 3/8 Brahman, 5/8 Angus • Solid black and polled • Calves heavier at birth and weaning than Angus • Resistant to heat and humidity • Produce more hair in cool climates

Other Cross Breeds • • • Charbray Braford Brahmousin Gelbray Red Brangus

Breeds of Swine

American Landrace • Developed around 1895 • Long body length • Ears large and drooping • Sows noted for good milk production

Berkshire • • • Developed in England Came to U. S. in 1823 Medium size hog Erect ears, short snout 6 white points

Chester White • Developed in PA. • Drooped ears • Known for mothering ability

Duroc • • Developed in eastern U. S. Drooped ears Red in color One of the most popular breeds in U. S.

Hampshire • • Developed in England Erect ears White band circling the body Know for lean meat

Poland China • Developed in Ohio • Black with six white points • Drooping ears • One of the larger breeds of hogs • Used in cross breeding programs

Spotted Breed • Developed in Indiana • At least 20% of body must be either black or white • First known as the Spotted Poland China

Tamworth • Originated in England • Brought to U. S. in 1882 • Red in color • Lean meat • Excellent mothering ability

Yorkshire • • Developed in England Came to U. S. in 1800 s Erect ears Sometimes has black freckles

Vietnamese Potbelly • Developed from a dwarf swine breed from Vietnam in the 1960 s • Brought to U. S from Canada in 1986 • Full grown potbellied pigs weigh an average of 70 -150 lb. • Utilized as a pet

Breeds of Sheep

Cheviot • Originally from England • Small and blocky • White face and legs

Hampshire • Developed in England • Large in size, blocky type • Breed is polled • One of the most popular breeds

Suffolk • • • Developed in England Came to U. S. in 1888 Has no wool on head or legs Know for production of market lambs Ranks 1 st in U. S. sheep population

Southdown • • One of the oldest breeds Developed in England Small and blocky Slow growth

Corriedale • • Developed in New Zealand Came to U. S. in 1914 First used in western states Breed is polled

Dorset • Brought to Oregon by ship in 1860 • White in color • Medium size • Both polled and horned varieties exist • Second largest breed in total numbers in the U. S.