Beef Cattle Breeds Flashcards
Species definition
a group of organisms of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes
Breed definition
a group of organisms within a species having a distinct appearance
SPECIES – Bos Taurus
grow faster, cooler climate, high quality
–> (more common in the US)
SPECIES – Bos Indicus
tropical, hump on back, large ears, large dulap –> (cooling factors), disease and parasite resistant, lean product, slow growers
–> from India, used in South of US
BREED – British
small mature size, mature fast, less growth potential, attain higher quality grade, low carcass grade
—> popular in the US
BREED – Continental
larger mature size, later maturing, carcass with less fat, high carcass yield, more calving difficulty
Aberdeen Angus
-british
-noted by black color
-most common breed in the US
-Certified Angus Beef (CAB)
Charolais
-continental
-white with pink muzzle (heat tolerant)
-grow large quickly
-“more pounds, more profit”
Hereford
-british
-red with white face
-known for longevity
-early maturity
Simmental
-continental
-selected for: milk, meat, work
-good mothers
Red Angus
“fastest growing breed in popularity”
-british
-same origin as Aberdeen Angus
–>(red trait is recessive)
Texas Longhorn
-powerhouse, iconic
-eats wide range of grasses, weeds, plants
-lean beef
-longevity
-docility
Gelbvieh
-continental – “yellow cattle” in German
-reddish gold color
-milk, meat, work
-med-lrg body size
Holstein
-dairy breed
Limousin
-continental
-sturdiness, health, adaptability
-meat, work
-large body, small head, gold-red color
