Introduction to Beef Cattle INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL SCIENCE AG. 140

History Cattle are date back to 6500 B.C. in Turkey and the middle east. Remains and cave paintings link cattle back to early times they are referred to in the early works of Julius Ceasar (44 B.C) Cattle were domesticated after goats, sheep, and dogs.

Cattle served several purposes for humans ◦Meat ◦Milk ◦Labor

Aurochs Modern domestic cattle are descendent of the Aurochs. Aurochs were massive, wild cattle that roamed Europe, Asia, and North Africa Aurochs survived in Europe until 1627

Aurochs 2,200 lbs. 6.6 ft tall at the shoulder Were often hunted because they provided great sport

Heck Cattle Developed by German biologists in an attempt to reproduce Aurochs ◦How would they “recreate” a species? 5’3” at the shoulder, 1200 to 2000 lbs.

Terminology of Cattle Bovine ◦A member of the taxonomic family bovidae ◦Includes cows and oxen

Cow A female bovine who has had a calf

Bull A male bovine.

calf A baby bovine

heifer A female bovine who has not had a calf

Springer or bred heifer A heifer who has not had a calf, but is pregnant

steer A male bovine that has been castrated ◦Castrated means that the testicles have been removed

Free martin Twin calves that are male and female The female is sterile and called a free martin

polled Naturally without horns

Question? The general term for ewes, rams and lambs is sheep. The general term for boars, sows, and piglets is pigs. The general term for stallions, mares and foals is horses. What is the general term for Bulls, cows, and calves?

Breeds and Classifications of Beef Cattle

There are two subspecies of cattle. Bos taurus taurus cattle of Europe, north-eastern Asia, and parts of Africa

Bos indicus Cattle originally from South Asia/India Called Zebu

Definition of a breed. Animals that, through selection and breeding, have come to resemble one another and pass those traits uniformly to their offspring.

Categories of Beef Cattle Breeds British Exotics (European) from continental Europe Zebu Cross breeds or Composites

British Breeds were developed in the British Isles and were brought to the United States in the late 1700s through the late 1800s. Angus (Black and Red), Hereford (Horned and Polled), and Shorthorn are the primary British breeds.

Exotics include Charolais, Chianina, Gelbvieh, Limousin, Maine Anjou, Salers, and Simmental. majority of these breeds are relatively new to the U.S., being imported in the late 1960's and early 1970's primarily to improve the growth rate and leanness of existing breeds

British vs. Exotics BritishExotics 1)Smaller at maturity 1)larger at maturity 2)Mature earlier 2)mature later 3)Higher fertility 3)leaner meat 4)Calving ease 4)more yield 5)Yield less 5)less quality 6)better quality 6)calving difficulty when crossed with British breeds