What is a breed? The classic definition of a "breed" is usually stated as a variation of this statement. Animals that, through selection and breeding, have come to resemble one another and pass those traits uniformly to their offspring.

What is a breed? Unfortunately this definition leaves some unanswered questions. For example, when is a crossbred animal considered a composite breed and when do we stop thinking about them as composites? Composite crossbreeding is accomplished by developing a new breed composed of other existing breeds. Once constructed, the composite breed can be mated like a conventional (straight) breed.

The development of the breeds takes different routes also The development of the breeds takes different routes also. In some breeds you can see the amount of change that can occur as the result of selection for a small number of traits. As an example, Holstein cattle have been selected primarily for milk production and are the highest milk producing cattle in the world. Other breeds have traits that result from natural selection* pressure based upon the environment in which they were developed. An example of this might be the N’dama cattle from west Africa. These animals have, through the centuries, developed a resistance to trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness spread by the tse-tse fly, which is fatal to most other breeds of cattle.

Classification and Identification of Beef Cattle Breeds

OBJECTIVES To be able to Classify Beef Cattle Breeds into Bos taurus or Bos indicus . To be able to Classify Beef Cattle Breeds into British, European. To be able to Determine or Give the Make up of Certain Composite Breeds. To Give the Attributes of Specific Breeds.

Classification Why do we Need It We classify everything. Example Automobiles We Break them down into Cars and Trucks, How can we break them down even further.

Classification Of Automobiles

Courtesy Joy Hornaday Tannies 2012

CLASSIFICATION OF BEEF CATTLE

BRITISH BREEDS OF BEEF CATTLE Hereford Polled Herefords Black Angus Red Angus Devon Shorthorn Red Poll

EUROPEAN BREEDS OF BEEF CATTLE Simmental Limousin Maine-Anjou Salers Charolais Piedmontese Blonde d’Aquitaine

ZEBU BREEDS OF BEEF CATTLE Grey Brahman Nellore Indo Brazilian Red Brahman Africander

COMPOSITE BREEDS OF CATTLE Brangus (RED & BLACK) Beefmasters Beefmaker Simbrah Braford Bramousin Santa Gertrudis American 7 Way Composite Salorn

HYBRID-VIGOR BENEFITS More Climate variable Increased Growth Rate Increased Vigor and Fertility

Bos taurus BEEF BREEDS BRITISH / EUROPEAN

Hereford Originated in England Red with white points Horned usually Known for pink eye Bos Taurus / British Breed Classification

Black Angus Bos Taurus / British Breed Classification Native to Angus (near Scotland) Came to U.S. in 1873 Most popular beef breed in the US Always black in color Can produce Red Angus Known for Marbling Ability No.1 in numbers of registered animals Always polled There is a Red Angus breed Bos Taurus / British Breed Classification

Red Angus Originated in the British Isles Same as Black Angus Barred from Angus herdbook Recognized as separate breed Were registered with Black Angus herdbooks until 1917 Red Angus Assoc. of America formed in 1954 Bos Taurus / British Breed Classification

Texas Longhorn Bos Taurus / British Breed Classification 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 1880s Various colors Almost went extinct Known for Low Birth Weights and Calving ease for Heifers Numbers are increasing Bos Taurus / British Breed Classification

Red Poll Bos Taurus / British Breed Classification Developed in England Primarily used for meat in US Milk production in other countries Dark red and polled Bos Taurus / British Breed Classification

Shorthorn Bos Taurus / British Breed Classification Originated in England White to red in color Roane Color, very popular for show heifers. Bos Taurus / British Breed Classification

Devon Bos Taurus / British Breed Classification Originated in England Also called North Devon One of the oldest beef breeds At one time used for milk Mature cows weigh 950-1300 lbs. Bos Taurus / British Breed Classification

Limousin Bos Taurus European Breed Classification Native to South-Central France Golden-red to red-brown in color Bos Taurus European Breed Classification

Simmental Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification First recorded in Switzerland Large body mass Light red to dark red with white points Known for Maternal Characteristics Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification

Charolais Originated from France White in color Mature bulls weigh 2000-2500+lbs Mature Females weigh 1250-2000 Known for Size and Muscle Bos taurus/European-Breed Classification

Chianina Developed in Italy Came to U.S. in 1971 Used in cross-breeding programs They have black skin and white hair Largest breed of cattle. Cows up to 2400 lbs. Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification

Wagyu Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification All Japanese cattle Various colors Consists of many Japanese breeds Known for Marbling in the Meat Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification

Piedmontese Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification Originated in Italy Double muscled breed Light to dark gray in color Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification

Blonde d’Aquitaine Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification Originated in France Blonde color Known for Heavy Muscle Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification

Salers Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification Native to France Milk production important in Europe Red to brown in color Known for some Carcass Merit Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification

Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification Belgian Blue Belgian Blue The Belgian Blue is a large sized animal with rounded outline and prominent muscles. The shoulder, back, loin and rump are heavily muscled. The back is straight, rump is sloping, tail set is prominent and skin is fine. The color can be white, blue roan or sometimes black. The breed is known for its quiet temperament. Weight and height of animals recorded averages: 12 months Males   1047 lbs.  Females 816 lbs.  45.3" 24 months  Males 1709 lbs.  Females 1102 lbs. 

Maine-Anjou Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification Originated in France Mature bulls weigh 2100-3000 lbs. Mature cows weigh 1500-1900 lbs. Dark red with white markings Bos Taurus / European Breed Classification

BOS INDICUS BEEF BREEDS ZEBU

Brahman Bos Indicus Classification Developed in U.S. between 1854-1926 Brood stock came from India Used in cross-breeding programs Large hump on back and loose skin They have a high heat tolerance Light gray or red to black Known for Mothering Ability Bos Indicus Classification

Red Brahman Heat and Insect Resistant Mothering Ability Bos Indicus Classification

Nelore Known form having smaller ears and cleaner lines than other zebu breeds. Biggest populations in South America. Heat and Insect tolerant Bos Indicus Classification

Indo Brazilian Known for Large Ears Heaviest Populations in South America High in Maternal Attributes Bos Indicus Classification

Africander Native to South Africa Usually red with long horns Used for meat and as a draft animal Mature cows weigh 1150-1350 lbs. Mature bulls weigh 1650-2200 lbs. Bos Indicus Classification

Composite Beef Cattle Breeds

American Developed in New Mexico Official breed conformation- 1/2 Brahman 1/8 Bison 1/4 Charolais 1/16 Hereford 1/16 Shorthorn Composite Breed Classification

Brangus Composite Breed Classification Originated in the United States 3/8 Brahman, 5/8 Angus Solid black Polled Composite Breed Classification

Bramousin Composite Breed Classification Originated in the United States Golden to red in color 5/8 Limousin, 3/8 Brahman Composite Breed Classification

Braford Composite Breed Classification Developed in Florida 3/8 Brahman, 5/8Hereford Red with white points Composite Breed Classification

Simbrah Composite Breed Classification Originated in the United States Brahman and Simmental breeds used Light to dark red with some white marks Composite Breed Classification

Beefmaker Composite Breed Classification Originated in the United States 3/4 Hereford, 1/4 Simmental Red with white points Composite Breed Classification

Beefmaster Originated in the United States Brahman, Hereford, and Shorthorn Composite Breed Classification

Salorn Composite Breed Classification Developed in the United States 5/8 Salers. 3/8 Texas Longhorn Lean meat Environmentally adaptable Composite Breed Classification

Texon Composite Breed Classification Originated in the United States Texas Longhorn and Devon breeds used Composite Breed Classification

Santa Gertrudis Composite Breed Classification *Originated at the King Ranch in Texas *Made up of Brahman, Hereford, and Shorthorn Breeds *Known for Heat tolerance Composite Breed Classification

Review Of Beef Cattle Classification Cattle are Classified into Two Groups The Bos Taurus Classification includes what two Groups. What are some Composite Breeds and what are their makeup. What are some Breeds Attributes.

Resources www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/