BEEF-MASTER CATTLE By: Kelsea Wade & Jacob White

Breed Characteristics ◦ Color/ description- solid red/brown is the most common color but there are no specific color standards. ◦ Horned/polled- horned ◦ Maternal/terminal- maternal ◦ Any gender differences- none ◦ Disposition- loving/very good mothers

History ◦ Origin- First American composite breed (combination of 3 or more breeds) ◦ Important Date- Developed in South Texas in 1908 ◦ Crossbreeding- crossing of Brahman, Hereford, and Shorthorn cattle ◦ Who developed- Developed by Tom Lasater in South Texas beginning in 1908 ◦ Life Span years ◦ Domestication- breed was first made in 1908

Daily Care ◦ Nutrition- no specific type of feed, mainly water, protein, energy, minerals, and vitamins. Always make sure feed is fresh ◦ Hygiene- daily washing/drying, and hair grooming. ◦ Herd Identification- ear tags ◦ Disease prevention- fresh feed/water ◦ Habitat Requirement- shelter, lots of land ◦ Costs- Bull ($2,500-$3,500), Heifer ($1,500-$2,500), Cow ($3,500-$16,400)

Anatomy ◦ Digestive system- The digestive system of a cow is similar to the digestive system of a human except a cow’s stomach is composed of four compartments; the rumen (largest), reticulum (involved with rumination), the omasum, and the abomasum. ◦ Respiratory System- The respiratory system of a cow is the same as a human’s. Cow breathes in oxygen, the inhaled air travels down into the lungs, oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide, and carbon dioxide is exhaled out of the nose or mouth.

Anatomy Continued… ◦ Nervous System- Composed of the brain and all other nerves. Makes thinking/feeling functional. ◦ Skeletal System- The skeletal system of a cow is very important (just as it is to humans) because the bones in the cow’s body create protection for their organs. ◦ Circulatory System-A cow's heart is much bigger than a human's heart, due to the animal’s massive body size. Therefore, more power is needed so that blood could be pumped to each and every part of the cow's body. Other than that the cow’s circulatory system is exactly the same as a human’s. Parts of cattle hearts have actually been used in human heart surgeries.

Anatomy Continued… ◦ Reproductive System- The reproductive system in a cow is very important, considering people depend on cows for meat and milk. A cow cannot produce milk unless she is pregnant. ◦ Muscular System- makes it to where a cow is able to move and basically survive. Considering the heart is a muscle without the muscular system a cow’s heart would not beat. A cow has no control over their muscular system, yes they are able to move around or go wherever they want but they have no control over the beating of their heart.

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Production Techniques ◦ Kinds of Reproduction- natural and artificial ◦ Growth Stages- calf, heifer, first time heifer, cow or calf, bull ◦ Breed Registrations- ear tags ◦ Resale Value- Bull ($2,500-$3,500), Heifer ($1,500-$2,500), Cow ($3,500-$16,400)

Meat Production ◦ Meat Cuts- Beef is cut and sold as steak, roasts, ribs, briskets, and ground beef. ◦ Non-Natural/Natural fed- no specific feed ◦ Veal- young cow meat, veal is very tender meat and is sometimes massaged before process ◦ By Products- leather goods such as belts, saddles, etc.

Citations "Skip Menu." Nutrition and Feeding of the Cow-Calf Herd: Digestive System of the Cow. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb "Ag's Cool Beef." Ag's Cool Beef. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb Answers Corporation, n.d. Web. 17 Feb Howe, Alicia. "Skeletal System of a Cow." EHow. Demand Media, 08 July Web. 17 Feb "MOOMOO DAIRIES." : Circulatory System. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb "Muscular System - Meat on the Bones." Biology4Kids.com: Animal Systems: Muscular System. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb "Beefmaster Alliance- Disposition." Beefmaster Alliance- Disposition. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb "Beefmaster." Breeds of Livestock. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb Research Texas A&M University." Beefmaster Breeders United. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb "Association History of Breed." Beefmaster Breeders United. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb Overview. Breeding Beef Heifer Essentials (n.d.): n. pag. Web.