(GENETICS) Cattle Breeds

Aurochs

It is believed that all modern domestic

cattle evolved from a single ancestor, the

_________, which is now extinct.

Bos taurus can be classified into two sub-categories:

1. – also known as English breeds, and

2. – also called Exotics, originated in Europe and generally large in size, lean, muscular, and vary in adaptability to hot climates.

British and Exotic Breeds

(also referred to as Zebu-type) are humped cattle originating from South Central Asia

Bos indicus

Bos taurus

are those breeds that descended

from the ancient Celtic Shorthorn.

Angus

• In the U.S., it refers to black _______.

• In Europe, however, it can mean either red or black.

• Originally from Aberdeen and Angus Counties in Scotland, they were brought over to the U.S. in the 1870s.

• are naturally polled and have very good marbling, where they are often used as an industry standard.

• There are other breeds outside of the British breeds that can marble just as well or better, however.

• Females have good utters and decently high milk production for a beef breed.

• are heavier muscled than most of the other British breeds.

Red Angus

• have the same origins and general characteristics as Black Angus, but are more moderate in frame size.

• Originally registered with Black Angus, but American Angus Association stopped allowing registration of __________ with black in the 1910s.

• It was not until the 1950s that a separate registration was formed for _____ in the U.S.

Hereford

Originally from western England (near Wales;

Herefordshire and surrounding counties). They

have a distinctive color, which is typically red with a

white (bald) face extending into the chest, feet, and

switch, as well as a stripe over the back of the neck.

Shorthorn

Originally from England (York County, East to Central England) and was prevalent in most British colonies including the U.S. They were the first breed to have registry or herd book, which was started in the 1820s due to a large import in 1817. Color varies between red, white, or red roan and can be horned or polled.

Charolais

Originally from France and was first imported into the U.S. in 1934 through Mexico. France was known for Foot & Mouth Disease, which was a concern. Mexico was the first country in North America to import Charolais directly from France. Many of the Charolais in the U.S. came from Mexico in an attempt to avoid Foot & Mouth Disease.

Color is white, although a red factor is present in the breed. White is caused by red pigmentation being removed from the hair due to a dilution locus. Any black spotting or colored nose shows crossbreeding has occurred. Can be horned or polled, heavy muscled, poor milk production, and has a tan nose!

Simmental

• Originally from Switzerland.

• Color can be red or yellow spotted with blaze face or solid red.

• Heaviest milk production in Continental European Beef breeds, so it acts as a dual-purpose breed. They can be horned or polled.

• The American Simmental Association does allow graded up individuals to be registered, which has introduced black color with or without white markings into the breed in the US.

Gelbvieh

Name means “yellow” cattle, Gelbvieh are originally from South Germany and Austria.

Limousin

are originally from France and are red, often bright red in color, with lighter points. The american association does all grading up, which has introduced black individuals in the US. They can be horned or polled, have light milk production, and are moderate in size. Despite their moderate frame size, they are heavily muscled.

Chianina

are originally from Italy and are the largest frame and overall size of the Continental European Beef Breeds.

They are also considered one of the largest in all cattle breeds (bulls can weigh upwards of 3,000 lbs).

They are grey with black tips, although some may be completely black. Individuals can be horned or polled, are heavily muscled, have low milk production, and are more heat tolerant compared to most Bos taurus breeds.

Braunvieh

are originally from northwestern Europe including Switzerland.

Their name means “brown” cattle, where their color ranges from tan to brown with white tips.

They were the basis for the Brown Swiss breed.

They are very muscular and have high milk production for a beef breed. Often horned, but polled are seen in the USA.

Holstein

or "_______ Fresin" are originally from the Netherlands, particularly Holland.

They have the heaviest milk production of all breeds and one of the largest populations of cattle in the world.

______ and Fresian cattle use to be two separate breeds, but are now considered the same breed.

They can be horned or polled and have a large frame.

Color is typically black with varying amounts of white spotting, but some red with white spotting can occur

Jersey

are originally from the Jersey Isle, which is between France and England.

Their color are typically variations of brown with darker tips, including some spotting, although some may be considered "grey".

They have a small frame and size, where sires are often used due to ease of calving for first time heifers.

They highest amount of butterfat in the dairy breeds, but less milk production than Holstein.

Typically horned, but polled are also present.

Brahman

They were developed in the U.S. primarily from Indian breeds.

Nellore

Also called “Ongole” in India or “Nelore” in Latin America, these cattle are originally from India.

They are the most numerous South Asian breed in the world and close to if not equal to Holstein in numbers.

Brangus

Developed in the southern U.S. in the 1950s. Breeders in Texas, Oklahoma, and Lousiana had largest influence on the development of this composite breed. They consist of 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Angus.

Beefmaster

were developed in Texas on the Lasater Ranch (south Texas). The Lasaters later moved the herd to Colorado and finalized the development of this composite breed, which consists of 1⁄2 Brahman, 1⁄4 Shorthorn, and 1⁄4 Hereford.

• or it may be more appropriate to say 1⁄2 Bos indicus, 1⁄4 Shorthorn, 1⁄4 Hereford

Santa Gertrudis

Developed in Texas on King Ranch, They are 5/8 Shorthorn and 3/8 Brahman (NOTE: In some cases, Brahman were not the only Bos indicus breed used to develop this breed, therefore it may be more appropriate to say 3/8 Bos indicus, 5/8 Shorthorn, especially as “Brahman” was not a recognized breed by the time this was being formed). Color is bright red (cherry), they are high heat and tick resistance, have easy calving, good mothering ability and milk supply. The typical hump seen in Bos indicus cattle is rarely prevalent and they have improved carcass quality due to the Shorthorn influence. Can be horned or polled. Steers exhibit good growth and weight gains on pasture and in feedlots.

Simbrah

Developed in the U.S., particularly the Gulf Coast region, this consists of 5/8 Simmental and 3/8 Brahman, but has floating 16th rule where it can be 11/16 Simmental and 5/16 Brahman or 9/16 & 7/16. New first generation individuals can be registered. There are various colors (not part of the breed standard), and the breed combines the heat tolerance/hardiness of Brahman with maternal and growth characteristics of Simmental (NOTE: In some cases Brahman were not the only Bos indicus breed used to develop this breed, therefore it may be more appropriate to say 3/8 Bos indicus , 5/8 Simmental).

Texas Longhorn

They were influenced by Spanish cattle and natural selection (survival was key!). Known for their adaptation to the environment, they can be any color with various amounts of spotting. They are lighter muscled and later maturing than some of the British and Continental breeds, but hardy and tough. Very fertile, easy calving, and, if put into similar conditions as Angus, can marble just as well. Horned.

Wagyu

Originated in Japan, it refers to several breeds of cattle (Kobe, Mishima, Matsusaka, Omi, Sanda, etc.).

Most of this breed were originally influenced by British and Continental breeds used in Japan, but once crossbreeding programs collapsed in Japan, the remaining cattle were selected on specific traits and linebreeding was used (depending on region). The breed has extremely high marbling capabilities on grass (Prime+). The U.S. does not often have forage availability to support similar performance of these cattle, however. They can be either red or black in color depending on specific breed, are small framed, light in weight, horned, and have low milk production. Also called as “Japanese Black”.