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Breeds of Beef Cattle
An excellent resource is
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds
exhibiting 258 breeds(use google, search for: breeds of livestock)/
LonghornLonghorn helped tame the west, and were the predominant first cattle in the US. Hardy but tough (in every way).
British Beef Breeds
• Three breeds known as the British beef breeds predominated in the US before 1960.
• Almost all beef were HEREFORD, ANGUS or SHORTHORN.
• All known for good eating and fattening characteristics.
ANGUS
Angus are BLACK (or red), are naturally polled, and haveexcellent muscle quality, marbling and grading well. Angusare naturally polled (without horns).
A more modern Angus Bull, Indiana Bull Test Station
Hereford
Hereford - Horned
Hereford - Horned
Herefords are red with white face, underline and socks.They are hardy, and grade well. They were the most predominant breed for many years, before “exotics”.
Hereford (old)An animal fittedfor show, many years ago.
Polled Hereford
Polled Hereford
Polled Hereford
Some naturally polled Herefords were used to start the PolledHereford breed. This animal at the Indiana Bull Test Station.
Shorthorn
Shorthorn were never as popular as Hereford or Angus, in theUS. They fatten well. They can be red, white, or roan.
Shorthorn
Red Angus
A mutation from black Angus resulted in Red Angus.
Beef Friesian
Derived from the dairy breed, Holstein-Friesian. Large.
Brown Swiss
Mainly a dairy breed, can be dual purpose. Huge.
Red Poll
Red Poll were a good, but minor breed. Not highly popular.
“EXOTICS”
• Breeds introduced from Europe that were much larger and more muscular than the 3 traditional British Beef Breeds were labeled as EXOTICS when they were introduced. I will keep that nomenclature, though many now are “mainstream”
My Own story on exotics
• In MY mind, the large breeds came into importance as they did following recognition in the US that crossbreeding with HOLSTEIN (dairy breed) resulted in fast growing, efficient, lean animals.
• Though they failed to grade choice, they could make money anyway.
• Soon it became obvious that crossing with large breeds did not have to utilize dairy breeds; muscular draft breeds from Europe could increase size, growth rate, and leanness.
• Charolais had been in the US since 1949, but until crossbreeding became popular in the 1970’s, it had little impact.
• Then in the 70’s and 80’s many of today’s breeds were introduced to the US (or they became more popular).
Charolais
Charolais
Charolais
Charolais
• White, muscular, from France
• Very heavy muscled, especially heavy forequarters, makes calving difficulties for some cattle and crosses.
ZEBU
• Before the era of exotics, and in tropical areas, ZEBU cattle (humped) are popular.
• Though they have poor growth and meat characteristics, they are heat and insect tolerant.
Brahman - Zebu
Brahman Bull - “correct”
Brahman Female “correct”
Santa GertrudasShorthorn x Brahman
BrafordBrahman x Hereford
BeefmasterBrahman x Hereford x Shorthorn Brangus
Brahman x Angus
THE EXOTICSand other breeds
Simmental
Swiss, original type, out of favor in US now.
Simmental (US cross)
Simmental - present day in US can be of manycolor patters.
Swiss Simmental Cow
Fleckvieh (German Simmental)
Pie Rouge(French Simmental)
Maine Anjou (French)
Maine Anjou
Blonde d’ Aquitaine
Blonde d’ Aquitaine
Limousin
Limousin
Limousin
• Limousin may have had more impact than most other breeds, perhaps because of good promotion activities. They have been heavily involved in crossbreeding, especially with Angus.
Chianina - Italy - Largest
Chianina
Chianina - Old, Large
Old, meaning one of the oldest breeds known
RomagnolaItaly, Very OLD
MarchigianaItaly
Marchigiana
Gelbvieh Germany
Pinzgauer
Dual PurposeGerman
Tarentaise
FrenchRaised inthe mostmountainousareas
Salers
Very old breed, polled orhorned, France
Salers
Norwegian Red
Normande
Normande, large, docile
Galloway
Scotland - small to medium framed, polledlong, soft, thick, wavy hair. Hardy. Calm.Good carcass, cross well.
Murray Grey
Murray Grey
• From an accidental mating of Angus x Roan Shorthorn.
• Developed in Australia for Australian conditions.
Devon
SouthernEngland
Devon
First purebred cattle imported into US; amongthe oldest breeds known. From South England.
South DevonNot related to Devon (North Devon)
Scotch Highland
Scotch Highland
Short, stocky, hardycattle with shaggyhair to protect themfrom severe weather.Top quality meat.
Luing
From a Scottish island of that name.Cross of Highland x Shorthorn. 1947