By: Holly Imhoff

The student will be able to; A. Identify 6 major breeds of cattle; B. Discuss their taxonomy; C. Classify them into their Genus and Species; D. Break them down into 3 divisions according to origin; and E. Compare and contrast the different breeds and divisions.

 Kingdom: Animalia  Phylum: Chordata  Class: Mammalia  Order: Artiodactyla  Family: Bovidae  Genus: Bos  Species: Indicus/ Taurus  Indicus: Zebu influence  Taurus: European influence

 American (Bos Indicus influenced)  English ( Bos Taurus)  Exotic/ Continental (Bos Taurus)

 Origin: India Characteristics:  White to grey in color  Large drooping ears  Hump  Horned  Stout and sturdy  Heat tolerant  Hardy and adaptable to climate

 Origin: From Bos Indicus cattle in India. Imported to US in 1849 Characteristics:  Medium to large frame size  Intelligent, inquisitive, shy, hardy and adaptable.  Gray with black tents, or red.  Short hair, black skin  Lose Skin

 Origin: South Texas On the Lasater Ranch in Characteristics:  ¼ Hereford, ¼ Shorthorn, 2/4 Brahman.  Red and white painted, red, dun. (No set color standards)  Weight, conformation, milking ability, fertility, hardiness and docile dispositions.  Horned

 Origin: Louisiana; became a breed association in 1949 but began the process of crossing in 1932 Characteristics:  3/8 Brahman 5/8 Angus  Polled  Black  Medium frame size  Excel in fertility, carcass quality, milking ability, functionality.  Hardy, adaptable to heat and humidity.  Muscularity conformation

 Origin: 1910 on the King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas. Characteristics :  5/8 Shorthorn 3/8 Brahman  Dark red with white on tail switch and some may be on underline  Hardiness  Heat tolerance  Tick resistance  Lean beef  Weight gain  Maternal  Strict breed registry rules

 Origin: United State in 1960’s Characteristics:  3/8 Brahman 5/8 Simmental  No color standards: varieties of red and white, dun, black and white  Horned or polled  Adequate muscling  Larger framed  Rapid growth  Adaptability to climate  lean high quality beef  Prolific

Characteristics  Black hair and skin  Moderate frame size  Polled  Excellent marbling  Maternal ability  Early maturing  Easy fleshing  Good milking ability  Origin Aberdeen Scotland and imported to US in 1873.

 Origin: Herefordshire England imported to the US in 1817 Characteristics:  Dark red with white markings underline, head, chest, tail switch  Tough and hardy  Docile  Longevity  Early maturing  Smaller framed  Good milkers  Fattened faster

 Origin: North eastern Coast of England introduced into the US in 1783 Characteristics:  Red and white, Roan, white, red  Super milking ability  Dual purpose  Early maturing  Very docile  Easy fleshing  Very maternal  Moderate framed  Wide top, deep sided, wide forequarters

 Origin: France in the Charolles province. Imported to US in 1936 Characteristics:  White hair and pink skin  Horned or polled  Large frame  Heavy muscle  Maternal  Not real feminine  Long bodied  Adequate milking and

 Origin: Italy in the Chiana Valley came to US in 1975 Characteristics:  White to light gray black skin  Dark tail switch, nose, and hooves  Large frame  Longer legged  Muscling  Outstanding growth rates (Can be black in the registry now due to crossing)  Horned

 Origin: France imported in the US in 1969 Characteristics:  Dark red, or black with white markings on head, belly, rear legs, and tail.  Can have white on other parts of body  Horned or polled  Yield extremely lean and muscular carcasses  Medium to large framed  Milking ability  Maternal  Docile

 Origin: France imported to US in 1971 Characteristics:  Large framed  High muscling  Dark Red, yellow, black in color  Deep chested  Strong top Muscled hind quarters  Hardy and adaptable  Meat producer  Polled or horned  Feed efficiency, rate of gain  Lean flavorful meat

 Origin: Switzerland imported to US in the late 1960’s Characteristics:  Red and white painted, black, black and white painted, dun, fawn or straw  Large framed  Fast growth development  Good milk production, used for good butter and cheese  Excellent dairy qualities  About million in world

Belgian Blue  Originated in Belgium  Double muscled  Various color patterns  Quiet temperament  High cutability big rib eye area  Used for crossbreeding and to increase cutability and leanness in meat Peidmontese  Originated in Italy  Black pigmented  White in color with grey tints  Double muscled  Dual purpose(used for specialty cheese and dairy products)  Cross breeding to improve carcass and cutability and leanness qualities

1. Name 3 breeds of red and white cattle. 2. What breed is known for excellent marbling? 3. Which breed originated from the Zebu? Have a great day!