COMMON BEEF BREEDS Original Power Point Created by
COMMON BEEF BREEDS Original Power Point Created by Gretchen Rozeboom Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office June 2002 August 2008
WHAT IS A BREED? • A breed consists of animals which have been selected for certain characteristics and which breed true for those characteristics August 2008
Depending on the reference… • There are somewhere between 300 and 1, 000 breeds and strains of cattle worldwide! • Most are found in very isolated regions. • Did you know that cattle are NOT indigenous to North America? August 2008
PRIOR TO 1965… • There were very few different breeds of cattle in the United States. • Dominant breeds included: Texas Longhorns (from Spanish Longhorns) Angus Hereford Shorthorn • Composite breeds were also being developed. August 2008
WHAT’S A COMPOSITE? • A composite breed is developed from two or more previously established breeds. • Examples would include: Santa Gertrudis (Longhorn X Shorthorn) Brangus (Brahman X Angus) Braford (Brahman X Hereford) August 2008
BEFORE THE 1960’s… • Approximately 20 different breeds were available in the United States. • Today, there are over 70 breeds found in the United States. • The development of the feedlot industry created the catalyst for the increase in the number of breeds. August 2008
CURRENTLY… • The number of breeds in the United States will vary. • Importations from other countries will affect the numbers. • Only about 12 -15 breeds of the approximately 70 actually have a major influence on the cattle industry! August 2008
CROSSBREDS • A large portion of the U. S. cattle industry relies on crossbreeding to improve and/or enhance the genetics of purebreds. • However, a large problem then exists with management and consistency in product quality. August 2008
COMMON U. S. BREEDS • The next group of slides represent breeds common in the United States. • You will need to take notes about each breed! August 2008
ANGUS August 2008
BEEFMASTER August 2008
BRAHMAN August 2008
CHAROLAIS August 2008
HEREFORD August 2008
LIMOUSIN August 2008
LONGHORN August 2008
POLLED HEREFORD August 2008
SANTA GERTRUDIS August 2008
SHORTHORN August 2008
SIMMENTAL August 2008
OTHER BREEDS OF BEEF CATTLE • The next group of pictures represent breeds of cattle that can be found in smaller numbers in the United States. • Some are composite breeds. August 2008
BRANGUS August 2008
CHIANINA (CHIANGUS, ETC. ) August 2008
GELBVIEH August 2008
MAINE ANJOU August 2008
RED ANGUS August 2008
TO LEARN MORE… • For more information on any of these breeds of cattle or for rarer breeds, please visit the following website: www. ansi. okstate. edu/breeds/ Once there, click on beef breeds and select the breed you would like to know more about! August 2008
- Slides: 27
