Cattle Breeds Flashcards
Ancestor of all modern cattle
Aurochs
2 CLASSIFICATIONS OF MODERN BEEF CATTLE
Bos indicus
Bos taurus
Are humped cattle originating from South Central Asia
Bos indicus
Are adapted to tropical and sub-tropical environments, which include the stresses of heat, humidity, parasites, and poorly digestible forages
Bos indicus
EXAMPLES OF BOS INDICUS
Nelore
Gyr
Guzerat
Brahman
Brangus
Beefmaster
BOS INDICUS BREEDS THAT ARE COMMON IN UNITED STATES
Brahman
Brangus
Beefmaster
Santa Gertrudis
Simbrah
Are those breeds that descended from the ancient Celtic Shorthorn
Bos taurus
2 CATEGORIES OF BOS TAURUS
British breeds
Continental breeds
Also called exotics, originated in Europe and generally large in size, lean, muscular, and vary in adaptability to hot climates
Continental breeds
Are heavier muscled than most of the other British breeds
Angus
Are naturally polled and have very good marbling, where they are often used as industry standard
Angus
Have the same origins and general characteristics as Black Angus, but are more moderate in frame size
Red Angus
Have a distinct color, which is typically red with a white face extending into the chest, feet, and switch, as well as a stripe over the back of the neck
Herefords
Comparable in muscle and milk production to Angus, but does not surpass
Herefords
They have lower udder quality overall compared to other British breeds
Herefords
Females of this British breed have good udders and decently high milk production for a beef breed
Angus
They are known as a hearty and adaptable breed, which makes them ideal for extreme climates
Hereford
Eye pigmentation is important in this breed as lighter pigmentation can lead to higher risk of eye cancer in this breed
Hereford
Nose lack pigmentation (pink) which is distinct to many other breeds
Hereford
They were the first breed to have registry or herd book
Shorthorn
They are equal in marbling to Angus but lightest muscled of British breeds
Shorthorn
They have good milk production for a beef breed, and middle of the pack on udder quality in British breeds
Shorthorn
Originally from France, and was first imported into the US in 1934 through Mexico
Charolais
Many of this breed in the US came from Mexico in an attempt to avoid foot & mouth disease
Charolais
Can be horned or polled, heavy muscled, poor milk production, and has a tan nose
Charolais
Have the heaviest milk production in Continental European Beef breeds so it acts as a dual purpose breed
Simmental
Name means “yellow” cattle
Gelbvieh
They have heavy milk production and are the heaviest muscled of the Continental European beef breeds
Gelbvieh
Are originally from France and are red, often bright red in color, with lighter points
Limousin
They have light milk production and are moderate in size. Despite their moderate frame size, they are heavily muscled [continental]
Limousin
Are originally from Italy and are the largest frame and overall size of the Continental European beef breeds
Chianina
They are heavily muscled, have low milk production, and are more heat tolerant compared to most Bos taurus breeds
Chianina
Their name means “brown” cattle
Braunvieh
They were the basis for the Brown Swiss breed
Braunvieh
They are very muscular and have high milk production for a beef breed [continental]
Braunvieh
They are from the Netherlands, particularly Holland
Holstein
They have the heaviest milk production of all breeds and one of the largest populations of cattle in the world
Holstein
Holstein and _____ used to be two separate breeds, but are now considered the same breed
Fresian
They have a smaller frame and size, where sires are often used due to ease of calving for first time heifers
Jersey
They have the highest amount of butter fat in the dairy breeds, but less milk production than Holstein
Jersey
They are large framed and heavily muscled. Despite their muscling, they are usually lean
Brahman
They usually have a loose sheath, can be horned or polled
Brahman
Used most often for crossbreeding in the south due to the hybrid vigor of offspring and maternal ability of the dams
Brahman
Also called “Ongle” in India or “Nelore” in Latin America
Nellore
They are the most numerous South Asian breed in the world and close to if not equal to Holstein in numbers
Nellore
They are large framed, and influenced the Brahman breed
Nellore
They have tighter sheath and smaller ears than Brahman
Nellore
Females have high calf survival rate and better udders than Brahman cattle
Nellore
They have great hybrid vigor where they excel in disease resistance, hardiness, and mothering instincts form the Brahman, while also maintaining good levels of the Angus carcass qualities
Brangus
They are heat tolerant and females also excel in fertility and milking ability
Brangus
Beefmaster consists of __ Brahman, __ Shorthorn, and __ Hereford
1/2 Brahman
1/4 Shorthorn
1/4 Hereford
Santa Gertrudis are __ Shorthorn, __ Brahman
5/8 Shorthorn
3/8 Brahman
They are high heat and tick resistant, have easy calving, good mothering ability and milk supply
Santa Gertrudis
Simbrah consists __ Simmental and __ Brahman
5/8 Simmental
3/8 Brahman
The breed combines the heat tolerance/hardiness of Brahman with maternal and growth characteristics of Simmental
Simbrah
Were influenced by Spanish cattle and natural selection
Texas Longhorn
Known from their adaptation to the environment, they can be any color with various amounts of spotting
Texas Longhorn
They are lighter muscled and later maturing than some of the British and Continental breeds, but hardy and tough
Texas Longhorn
They are very fertile, easy calving, and if put into similar conditions as Angus, can marble just as well
Texas Longhorns
The breed has extremely high marbling capabilities on grass
Wagyu
Other term for wagyu
Japanese Black
