Beef Breeds Ms. Pilcher Ag Science

Questions to Investigate Where did each breed of cattle originate? Where did each breed of cattle originate? What are the common colors of each breed of cattle? What are the common colors of each breed of cattle? Which breeds are polled and which are horned? Which breeds are polled and which are horned? What are the unique qualities for each breed of cattle? What are the unique qualities for each breed of cattle?

Angus Originated in Scotland Solid black in color Polled

Angus Most popular breed Most popular breed Very vigorous growth and perform well in feedlots Very vigorous growth and perform well in feedlots Moderate in size Moderate in size Good longevity and maternal traits Good longevity and maternal traits Known for their marbling Known for their marbling

Angus

Red Angus Originated in Scotland Originated in Scotland Solid Red Solid Red Polled Polled

Red Angus Quality Carcasses Quality Carcasses More Heat Tolerant More Heat Tolerant Have good maternal traits and calving ease. Have good maternal traits and calving ease.

Shorthorn Originated in England Originated in England Can be red, white, or roan Can be red, white, or roan Can be horned or polled Can be horned or polled

Shorthorn Dual-purpose breed-used for milk and beef production Dual-purpose breed-used for milk and beef production Known for being docile Known for being docile Good mothering abilities Good mothering abilities High Fertility High Fertility

Shorthorn

Hereford Originated in Herefordshire, England Red bodies with white markings Horned

Hereford Very tolerant to cold climates Moderately sized Known for docile nature and excellent disposition Longevity Good fleshing ability

Hereford

Polled Hereford Originated in Ohio when a man thought dehorning was inhumane Originated in Ohio when a man thought dehorning was inhumane Red and White in color Red and White in color Polled Polled Good Feed Efficiency Good Feed Efficiency Good dispositions Good dispositions

Polled Hereford

Simmental Originated in Switzerland Originally red and white, but now there are many black Horned or polled

Simmental Rapid Growth Thick muscling Good feed efficiency Can adapt to many climates Good mothering abilities High weaning weights High twinning rate

Simmental

Chianina Originated in Italy Originated in Italy Off-white with black nose, muzzle Off-white with black nose, muzzle Horned or Polled Horned or Polled

Chianina Longevity Longevity High Fertility High Fertility Largest Framed Breed Largest Framed Breed Used today in many crossbreeding programs, especially show steers Used today in many crossbreeding programs, especially show steers

Charolais Originated in France Originated in France White to light straw color White to light straw color Horned or Polled Horned or Polled

Charolais First exotic breed in U.S. First exotic breed in U.S. Large in size Large in size Known for heavy muscling Known for heavy muscling Feed Efficiency Feed Efficiency Heat tolerant Heat tolerant Popular for crossbreeding to increase size and muscle in offspring Popular for crossbreeding to increase size and muscle in offspring

Charolais

Limousin Originated in France Originated in France Wheat to rust red or orange colored or black Wheat to rust red or orange colored or black Horned or Polled Horned or Polled

Limousin Very long and shallow bodied Very long and shallow bodied Known for calving ease Known for calving ease Carcass leanness and heavily muscled Carcass leanness and heavily muscled Feed efficiency Feed efficiency Smaller framed than other continental breeds Smaller framed than other continental breeds

Limousin

Maine-Anjou Originated in France Black and White or Red Horned or Polled

Maine-Anjou High Feed Efficiency Good milk producers Good muscling

Texas Longhorn Originated in U.S. Originated in U.S. Any color Any color Horned Horned

Texas Longhorn Hardy Hardy Disease/Parasite Resistant Disease/Parasite Resistant Often used for roping animals Often used for roping animals

Brahman Originated in India Originated in India Dark to light gray or red to almost black Dark to light gray or red to almost black Polled Polled

Brahman Has loose skin, large hump over shoulders, and large droopy ears Has loose skin, large hump over shoulders, and large droopy ears Sometimes called Zebu cattle Sometimes called Zebu cattle Popular because disease and heat resistant, heat tolerant, rapid weight gain, and quality carcasses Popular because disease and heat resistant, heat tolerant, rapid weight gain, and quality carcasses Unpredictable temperament Unpredictable temperament Excellent ability to forage successfully on poor range Excellent ability to forage successfully on poor range

Brahman

Belgian Blue Originated in Belgium Originated in Belgium White, Blue Roan, or sometimes black White, Blue Roan, or sometimes black Horned Horned

Belgian Blue Very quiet temperament Very quiet temperament Double muscled Double muscled

Wagyu Japanese beef cattle Japanese beef cattle Can be black or red Can be black or red Horned Horned Influenced by many different breeds Influenced by many different breeds

Wagyu Meat is a niche market Meat is a niche market Meat is tender and rich in flavor Meat is tender and rich in flavor Meat is served in small portions Meat is served in small portions