Beef Cattle Introduction and Breeds Advanced Animal Science Reeves

Characteristics of the Beef Industry n Segmented Industry 1. Cow/ Calf- commercial and purebred. They are the dictators of what's to come. 2. Stocker- graze phase #. Pays on gain (per lb). 3. Feedlot - Heavy weight cattle, confined operation # 4. Packer - “enemy,” Take feedlot cattle, grade them, sent out as boxed beef. 5. Purveyor- distributor 6. Retailer - HEB, Kroger, Randalls 7. Consumer- $5-6/ lb

Characteristics of the Beef Industry n Cow/ Calf - –Texas = 14.1 million (ranks #1, makes up 14% of the total US beef) –Kansas = 6.5 million –Nebraska = 6.5 million n Feedlot- 1. Texas 2.6 million 2. Kansas 2.2 million 3. Nebraska 2.2 million 4. Missouri 2.1 million

Breed Selection n 2 Main Factors –1. Genetics –2. Environment n Genetics –Determine advantages, disadvantages, then market ability. –Certified Angus Beef (50% Black, typical beef type, no floppy ear or hump larger than 4”, carcass avg choice or better, yield of 3 or better) n Environmental –Geographical environment, management env. And personal preference

Breed Selection n Production Criteria 1. Mature Size - will it fit the environment? Do not outgrow your environment. 2. Milk production - as milking ability increases, the nutritional requirements increase. (Ex. Simmental) 3. Muscle Amount - as we increase muscling, fertility rate decreases. (higher muscle results in distocia in males and females) 4. Sexual Maturity - age at puberty, when is the 1st ovulation 5. Management efficiency - easy keeper, foraging ability 6. Biological Specie- Bos Indicus vs. Bos Taurus

Bos Indicus vs. Bos Taurus n Bos Indicus –Humped Breeds Advantages –Heat resistant –resistant to parasites Disadvantages –less adaptable to cold –lower reproductive efficiency n Bos Taurus –Non Humped Breeds Advantages –Cold resistant –higher repro efficiency Disadvantages –heat tolerance low –susceptible to disease

Breed Selection n British/ English –Angus, Shorthorn, Red Angus, Hereford, Polled Hereford n European/ Continental –Simmental, Gelbvieh, Salers, Maine Anjou, Chianina, Pinzgauer n American –Brangus, Simbrah, Santa Gertrudis, Brahmousin, Beefmaster, Braford

Hybrid Vigor –The crossing of 2 totally different breeds. –We calculate it to give us an idea of heritability of traits (such as color, muscle, milk, reproduction) n F 1 have the most expression HV Calculating HV ww of offspring - Average ww of parents/ average ww of parents *100 = %HVWW ww= weaning weight (the weight at which an animal is taken off of the milk from mother)

Hybrid Vigor Example: Brahman Bull = 480 ww Hereford Cow = 500 ww F1 Calf = = /490 * 100 = 7.14% 7%HV *If the ww of offspring is less than the best parent crossbreeding is useless.

English/ British Breeds

Angus n Originated in Scotland n Taurus n solid Black or red n Polled n Came to America in 1873 n resistant to harsh weather n Early maturing

Hereford n Originated n Originated in Hereford, England n Red n Red with white head, legs, and underline n Purebred n Early n Early maturing n Good n Good tempered n 1817 n 1817 Henry Clay

Polled Hereford n Registered American Breed, Iowa 1901 n Red and White body, brisket and underside n Naturally horn-less n developed as an idea

Shorthorn n Originated in England n Red; red & white or roan in color n Originally used as a dual purpose breed for meat and milk n Sometimes called the Durham breed

Simmental n Originated in Switzerland n Oldest breed of cattle in the world n Large, powerful breed n Brought to the United States in 1971 n AKA: Fleck

European Breeds

Gelbvieh n Originated in Germany n Red in color, gold to rust n Dual Purpose breed, milk and meat n adaptable to broad range in climate n 4 most numerous breed n Noted for superior fertility and mothering ability

Charolais n Originated in France n Traditionally white in color n Long bodied, large cattle n Heavily muscled n Coarse looking

Maine Anjou n Originated in Northwest France n Dark red with white markings or black n Developed by crossing the Durham and Mancelle breed n Bulls # n Name came from river valleys

Chianina n Originated in West Central Italy n One of the oldest breeds of cattle n Draft animals n Tallest breed of beef cattle n Short hair that is white to steel gray n Terminal breed n high heat tolerance

Brahman n Originated in India n Able to survive on very little, poor feed n Insect & heat resistant n Excess skin and large hump on back n White to gray, red to black n Sweat glands

Pinzgauer n Originated in European. n Red and white n Austrian name n good meat production n Certified Pinzgauers have a white tail and red face.

Salers n Originated in South Central France n Purebred n milk and meat n Typically Horned, polled red or black available. n Depicted in cave dwellings 7k yrs ago. n Survive in rough rocky terrain and harsh damp climates n major contributor to American meat market

Belgian Blue n Originated in Europe n Red and Black Pide with Shorthorn n Taurus n White, blue roan, some black, n Double muscled n Beef and milk n late maturing, mild temper

Limousin n Originated in South Central France n Indicus n Golden red n Sturdy and adaptable n Dual purpose meat and work n Butchers animal n Isolated breed, genetic interference is not a problem

American Breeds

Braford n Originated in Florida n 3/8 Brahman, 5/8 Hereford n White face with red body and red eye patches

Texas Longhorn n Developed entirely by nature in North America n Known for its long horns n High fertility n Were near extinction in 1927

Santa Gertrudis n Developed on the King Ranch in Texas n All Santa Gertrudis are descendants of the bull, Monkey n 3/8 Brahman bulls, 5/8 Shorthorn cows n hair is long in cold climates and short in hot climates n Direct descendant from bull Monkey n Feedlot efficient

Brahmousin n American n 3/8 Brahman, 5/8 Limousin n Purebred n Dark mahogany to light tan color n at least 1/4 Limousin And 1/4 Brahman to be recorded

Red Brangus n Originated in So. Texas n 3/8 Brahman, 5/8 Angus n developed in 30’s n Bulls breed till 10 yrs n Cows till 14 yrs

Simbrah n Developed in humid areas along the Gulf Coast n 3/8 Brahman, 5/8 Simmental n Known as “The All Purpose American Breed” n High fertility and Early maturing

Beefmaster n Originated Lasater Ranch, American n 1/4 Hereford, 1/4 Shorthorn, 1/2 Brahman n Brownish Red most common n 6 essentials –Weight –Conformation –Milking ability –Fertility –Hardiness –Disposition

Brangus n Originated in US 1932, USDA experiment station in LA. n 3/8 Brahman, 5/8 Angus n solid black, can be red n calves are large n adaptable to all climates n good mothering ability n good feedlot efficiency