2. Breeds of Beef Cattle ©2001 AgriTeach.com TM (12901ms)

3. The Beef Industry ãProduces 45% of all livestock cash receipts (‘92). ãAn average person may consume 100 or more lbs. Of beef per year. ãMost beef eaten in the USA is raised in the USA. ãThe state of Texas leads in the # of animals produced. ãWhy raise beef? çCattle consume roughage & may graze pasture. çLess labor than other industries, such as dairy. çUseful in both large and small operations. çSmaller initial capital investment.

4. Development of Breeds ãCattle, like most agricultural animals are bred. çMost are the result of many generations of breeding. çMost breeds were developed for a geographical area. çCattle with desirable characteristics are kept. çUndesirable animals are no longer bred (culled). ãNo breed has is perfect in all of its traits. ãNo animal exhibits all of the perfect characteristics of its breed.

5. Angus ãHistory: çOriginated from Scotland. çEarliest records date to 1700. çImported to Kansas in 1873. çSuited well to Midwestern climate. çToday are found in every state in the USA. ãBreed Characteristics çBlack in color, smooth hair coat; also Red Angus çPolled (naturally have no horns). çGood carcass with well-marbled meat

6. Angus

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

8. Charolais

9. Chianina ãPronounced “Kee-ah-nee-na” ãHistory çOriginated from Italy, one of the oldest in the world. çSemen was imported to the USA in 1971. ãBreed 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.

10. Chianina

11. Hereford (horned & polled) ã History çOriginated in Hereford, England; polled in Iowa, 1901. çFirst USA herd (horned) in New York in 1840. çHorned registered since 1881. ãBreed Characteristics çWhite faces with red, curled hair. çNaturally horned. çVery hardy and excellent foragers. çWhite pattern is dominant in cross breeding.

12. Hereford

13. Polled Hereford

14. Limousin ãHistory çOriginated in France 7,000 years ago. çBreed Association formed in 1886. çSemen imported to USA from Canada in 1968. ãBreed Characteristics çLight yellow color with lighter circles around eyes. çLight colored skin. çSmall head with short neck. çBulls - 2,400-2,000 lbs., Cows - 1,300 lbs.. çLean carcasses with large loin eye area.

15. Limousin

16. Shorthorn (polled and horned) ã History çOriginated in northern England, about 1600. çImported to Virginia in 1783. çFirst herdbook in the USA. ã Breed Characteristics çRed, White, or roan (mix of red and white) coat. çDocile breed çBulls: up to 2,400 lbs.; cows: up to 1,500 lbs., çExcellent milking capability.

17. Shorthorn

18. Shorthorn

19. 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.

20. Brahman

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

22. Brangus (Red)

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

24. Texas Longhorn

25. Simmental ã History çOriginated in Switzerland in the middle ages. çMost popular breed in Europe. çBrought to USA in 1969. ã Breed Characteristics çWith to light straw faces, with dark red bodies. çNaturally horned. çDocile çBulls: 2,300-2,600 lbs., cows: 1,400-1,800 lbs..

26. Simmental

27. Other Breeds

28. Devon

29. Galloway

30. Gelbvieh

31. Maine Anjou

32. Murray Grey

33. South Devon

34. Highland

35. Belgian Blue

36. Blonde d’Aquintaine