2. Breeds of Beef Cattle

3. The Beef Industry ã ãProduces 45% of all livestock cash receipts. ã ãAn average person may consume 100 or more lbs. Of beef per year. ã ãMost beef eaten in the USA is raised in the USA

4. Why Raise Beef Cattle? ç çCattle consume roughage & may graze pasture. ç çLess labor than other industries, such as dairy l l Beef cattle do not need to essentially be fed every single day. ç çUseful in both large and small operations. ç çMeat ”beef” is in constant demand by consumers.

5. Disadvantages to raising beef cattle… ãA producer can take on several risks by raising beef cattle. çDependence on grain prices. çDependence on mother nature. ãBeef cattle are not as efficient growers as other livestock – pigs. ãA beef cow has a gestation period of 283-days – can only get one offspring in one year. ãCost of starting a beef operation is expensive. çCattle, equipment, facilities/land, etc.

6. Angus ãHistory: ç çOriginated from Scotland. ç çImported to Kansas in 1873. ç çSuited well to Midwestern climate. ç çToday are found in every state in the USA. ã ãBreed Characteristics ç çBlack in color, smooth hair coat; also Red Angus ç çPolled ç çGood carcass with well-marbled meat

7. Angus

8. Charolais ã History çOne of the oldest French breeds; central France. çImported to Mexico in 1930. l Then imported to Texas in 1936 ãBreed Characteristics çWhite to light blonde in color, pink skin çLarge and very well-muscled çHorned çBulls: 2,000-2,500 lbs.; cows: 1,500-1,800 lbs

9. Charolais

10. Hereford (horned & polled) ã History çOriginated in Hereford, England; polled in Iowa, 1901. çFirst USA herd (horned) in New York in 1840. ãBreed Characteristics çWhite faces with red, curled hair. çhorned çVery hardy and excellent foragers. çWhite pattern is dominant in cross breeding.

11. Hereford

12. Polled Hereford

13. Limousin ãHistory çOriginated in France 7,000 years ago. çBreed Association formed in 1886. çSemen imported to USA from Canada in 1968. ãBreed Characteristics çLight yellow color with lighter circles around eyes. çLight colored skin. çLean carcasses with large loin eye area. çPolled

14. Limousin

15. Shorthorn (polled and horned) ã History çOriginated in northern England, about 1600. çImported to Virginia in 1783. ã Breed Characteristics çRed, White, or roan (mix of red and white) coat. çDocile breed çExcellent milking capability. çPolled or horned

16. Shorthorn

17. Shorthorn Bull

18. Brahman ã History çDeveloped in southwestern USA. çClosely related to Zebu, or Bos indicus cattle (India). çUsed mostly for crossbreeding. ã Breed Characteristics çCharacteristic “hump” over shoulder. çLight or medium gray coat color. çLarge, drooping ears and loose skin.

19. Brahman

20. Brangus ãHistory çA result of a cross of Brahman and Angus. çCrosses made as early as 1912 in Louisiana. çRed Brangus developed in Texas in 1946. ãBreed Description çSolid black or red in color. çPolled çGood mothering ability & feed efficiency.

21. Brangus (Red or Black)

22. Texas Longhorn ãHistory çOriginated from cattle brought from Columbus. çCattle escaped and existed in the wild. çAlmost became extinct by 1900. çUSA congress funded a purebred herd. ãBreed Characteristics çMany different colors and shadings. çHorns spreading 4 feet or more. çAre able to survive on sparse pasture.

23. Texas Longhorn

24. Simmental ã History çOriginated in Switzerland in the middle ages. çMost popular breed in Europe. çBrought to USA in 1969. ã Breed Characteristics çWhite to light straw faces, with dark red bodies. çHorned çDocile

25. Simmental

26. Maine-Anjou ãHistory çNW part of France l Imported into North America via Canada in 1969 ãBreed Characteristics çColor was originally reddish with white markings on head, belly, rear legs & tail (similar to Shorthorn) çNOW…..color is mainly black with white markings çDual-purpose breed çPolled

27. Maine Anjou