Breeds Information Animal Science

Dairy Breeds and Selection

Dairy Breeds and Selection Overview Major Breeds of Dairy Cattle Dairy Terms and Definitions Parts of a Dairy Cow Dairy Traits and Selection Judging Contests

Major Breeds of Dairy Cattle Holstein Black and White or Red and White color pattern Large sized Heavy milk producers

Major Breeds of Dairy Cattle Jersey Color varies (light gray to a dark fawn being darker around the head and hips) Medium sized Produces more pounds of milk per body weight than any other dairy breed.

Major Breeds of Dairy Cattle Guernsey Red (Fawn) and White in color Medium sized High milk production to feed intake ratio Milk is high in betacarotene

Major Breeds of Dairy Cattle Brown Swiss Solid brown, varying from very light to dark Large sized Light colored band around the muzzle One of the oldest Dairy breeds

Major Breeds of Dairy Cattle Ayrshire Red and white in color (amount varies) Medium sized Purebred Ayrshires only produce red offspring Average milk production

Major Breeds of Dairy Cattle Milking Shorthorn Red and white or any combination of red and white Dual purpose breed Split from the American Shorthorn Assoc. in 1949

Major Breeds of Dairy Cattle Milking Devon Red in color Triple purpose (Draft, beef, milk) Medium sized

Beef Breeds

Three classifications British – breed developed in the British Isles (England, Scotland, Wales Continental – Developed in continental Europe American - breeds developed in the United States, often Brahman crosses

British Breeds

Horned Hereford A popular British breed known for its red and white horned color pattern. Classification: British Origin: Herefordshire, England Characteristics: Light yellow to cherry red with white belly- good foragers Medium frame size Medium muscled

Angus The most registered breed in America, known for its excellent carcass quality. Origin: Aberdeen, Scotland Characteristics: Black, polled* Smooth hair coat Medium frame size Heavy muscled Excellent mothers – * Polled: genetically born without horns

Shorthorn A British breed known for its prime carcass and roan color pattern. Origin: Northern, England Characteristics: Color white, red, or roan (red and white color mixed ) Prime quality grade Medium frame size Medium muscle

Continental Breeds

Charolais Classification: Continental A large muscled all white French breed. Origin: Central France Characteristics: White to Creamy, thick hair coat Large frame size Lean, heavy muscled

Simmental A large dual purpose called developed in Switzerland. The most registered breed in the world. Originated in Switzerland Oldest breed of cattle in the world Large, powerful breed Brought to the United States in 1971 Orange/Yellow and white to black in color

Chianina Largest breed of cattle in the world. Origin: West - Central Italy Characteristics: Off white with black tongue, nose, eyes, & hooves Large frame size Long muscle Triple purpose cattle Classification: Continental

Peidmontese Classification is Continental Developed in Italy Heavy muscled Blue sliver color with dark markings on muzzle, eyes, front legs and jump muscle

Salers A French breed distinguished by it deep brick red curly hair. Originated in France Fastest growing breed in the United States Mahogany red in color One of the last breeds to be imported into the United States Very hearty tough breed

American Breeds

Red Angus A red color gene version of America’s Angus breed of cattle. Polled Classification American Greater heat tolerant Moderate frame

Texas Longhorn – Origin: Texas, but Spanish Origin – Characteristics – Classification - American Vary in color and are speckled or freckled Long distinctive horns Low birth weights Slow maturing Excellent hardiness Light muscled

Which one is it?

Breeds of Sheep and Goats

Breeds of Sheep Meat Wool Dual

Suffolk Originated in England Characteristics – Primarily used for meat – Black face and legs – Polled – Bare face and legs Advantages – Large bodies Disadvantages – Bare bellies

Hampshire Originated in England Characteristics – Produced for meat – Black-brown face and legs – Polled – Large body size Advantages – Good milkers – Excellent carcass conformation Disadvantages – Wool blindness

Shorpshire Originated in England Characteristics – Primarily used for meat – Black-brown face and legs – Polled Advantages – Excellent milkers Disadvantages – Wool blindness

Southdown Originated in England Characteristics – Primarily used for meat – Grey-brown face and legs – Polled Advantages – Used in hot house lamb production Disadvantages – Very small in size – Very light fleece weight

Cheviot Originated in England and Scotland Characteristics – Primarily used for meat and medium wool – Usually polled – White in color Advantages – Very rugged – Excellent carcass conformation Disadvantages – Small in size

Columbia Originated in the United States Characteristics – Primarily used for meat – White in color – Polled Advantages – Rugged – Herding instinct – Dual purpose breed

Corriedale Originated in New Zealand Characteristics – Primarily used for meat – White with black marks on head and feet – Polled or horned; usually polled Advantages – Herding instinct

Polypay Originated in the United States Characteristics – White in color Advantages – High lifetime prolificacy – Lamb crop is large in the first year – Ability to lamb more frequently than once per season – Lambs have rapid growth rates – Desirable carcass quality Disadvantages – Not a uniform breed

Rambouillet Originated in France Characteristics – Primarily used for wool – White in color – Males are horned and females are polled Advantages – Good herding instinct

Targhee Originated in the United States Characteristics – Primarily used for meat – White in color – Polled Advantages – Herding instinct

Breeds of Goats Dairy Meat Fiber

Alpine (French Alps) UMedium to large sized Uonly breed with upright ears Uall colors and combinations of colors. UHair is medium to short Ustraight face with roman nose.

Angora (Asia Minor) UBoth sexes are horned UPronounced spiral to the horn UUtilized in Mohair Production UWhite in color

Boer (South Africa) UAlso known as the Africander UEarly maturing UPredominantly white with red head but some solid red exist.

Golden Guernsey (British) Ucolor varies from cream to brown Uusually polled Ulower in milk production than most Swiss breeds Uhigher in butter fat and protein %

LaMancha (Oregon) UFace is straight UGopher ear - max one inch in length preferably non-existent UElf ear-max. length of two inches with tip being turned up or down UAny color or combination is acceptable. UHair is short, fine and glossy Uhigh butterfat

Nigerian Dwarf (West Africa) UMain colors are black, chocolate and gold with random white markings. UBreed year round UThey give 3-4# of milk per day at 6 to 10% butterfat UThey make great pets

Nubian (Oriental) ULarge framed Uface being convex between the eyes and muzzle Uears are long, wide and pendulous. They flare out in a bell shape. UAny color or colors, solid or patterned

Pygmy Goat (Africa) UFull coat of straight, medium-long hair. UAll colors are acceptable Umuzzle, forehead, eyes and ears are accented in tones lighter than the dark portion of the body. UMake good pets

Saanen (Switzerland) UUsually yields 3-4% milkfat Umedium to large in size Uwhite or light cream in color. UEars are erect and carried forward. UFace straight or dished

Spanish (Spain) UFeral goat or brush goat native to U.S. UDescended from the goats that were released or escaped from the early Spanish explorers UUtilized for meat. UFat content is less than beef.

Toggenburg (Switzerland) UMedium in size UHair is short or medium in length UEars are Erect and Forward UFace may be straight or dished UColor is solid varying from light fawn to dark chocolate UDistinct white markings Uwhite ears with dark spot in middle Utwo white stripes down face from above each eye Uwhite legs below knee and hock Uwhite triangle on either side of the tail. Usome have wattles

Equine Breeds Feral- a horse that was once domesticated and has become wild. A breed of horse may be defined as a group of horses having a common origin and possessing certain well-fixed distinctive, uniformly transmitted characteristics that are not common to other horses.

Equine Breeds Draft horses are large and usually 14 to over 17 hands in height and over 1,500 lb. in weight. They are sometimes referred to as cold-blood horses. The term refers to the quiet, calm temperament of these breeds.

The males of the ass family are called jacks, and the females jennets. Asses are also commonly known as donkeys, burros, or jackstock. Long-Eared Breeds  Mammoth Ass  Standard Donkey  Miniature Donkey  Mule Miniature Donkey

Equine Breeds A light horse is usually 12 to 17 hands in height and weighs 900 to 1,400 lbs. They are usually used for riding, showing, and racing. A pony, on the other hand is smaller, usually less than 14.2 hands and weighing 500 to 900 lbs.