Beef Cattle Introduction Beef Cattle Introduction and Breedsand Breeds

Mr. LemmonsMr. Lemmons

Characteristics of the Beef Characteristics of the Beef IndustryIndustry

– Grain-fed Beef – most widely produced and tends to be less expensive. The cattle spend most of their lives eating grass in a pasture before moving to a feedlot where they are fed a high-energy, grain diet.

– Grass-finished Beef – The cattle are raised

on grass pastures.

Characteristics of the Beef Characteristics of the Beef IndustryIndustry

– Certified Organic Beef –must be fed 100% organic feed and these cattle can not be given hormones to promote growth or antibiotics. *If antibiotics are needed they are not withheld but the animal must be permanently removed from the program.

– Natural/Branded Beef – By definition, most beef is natural. According to the USDA “natural” may be used on a beef label if the beef does not contain artificial flavoring, coloring, chemical preservatives or any other artificial or synthetic ingredient. Producers raising cattle for beef marketed with a “natural” label may follow different production practices in order to brand their beef.

Characteristics of the Beef Characteristics of the Beef IndustryIndustry

Segmented IndustrySegmented Industry1. Cow/ Calf- commercial and purebred. They are the 1. Cow/ Calf- commercial and purebred. They are the

dictators of what's to come.dictators of what's to come.

2. Stocker- 2. Stocker- Ranchers graze weaned calves until they weigh as much as 900 pounds, and then market them to the feedlots

3. Feedlot - 3. Feedlot - Raises calves until they weigh 900 to 1,400 pounds and market them to packer operations

4. Packer - “enemy,” Take feedlot cattle, grade them, 4. Packer - “enemy,” Take feedlot cattle, grade them, sent out as boxed beef.sent out as boxed beef.

5. Purveyor- distributor5. Purveyor- distributor

6. Retailer - HEB, Kroger, Randalls6. Retailer - HEB, Kroger, Randalls

7. Consumer- $5-6+/ lb7. Consumer- $5-6+/ lb

Characteristics of the Beef Characteristics of the Beef IndustryIndustry

Cow/ Calf – Ranchers produce the cattle for the Cow/ Calf – Ranchers produce the cattle for the stocker market or feedlot (commercial stocker market or feedlot (commercial operation) or other breeding herds (purebred operation) or other breeding herds (purebred operation)operation)– Texas = 13.6 million (ranks #1, makes up 14% of the Texas = 13.6 million (ranks #1, makes up 14% of the

total US beef)total US beef)– Kansas = 6.57 millionKansas = 6.57 million– Nebraska = 6.35 millionNebraska = 6.35 million

Feedlot-Feedlot-1. Texas 2.6 million1. Texas 2.6 million

2. Kansas 2.2 million2. Kansas 2.2 million

3. Nebraska 2.2 million3. Nebraska 2.2 million

4. Missouri 2.1 million4. Missouri 2.1 million

Characteristics of the Beef Characteristics of the Beef IndustryIndustry

Breed SelectionBreed Selection 2 Main Factors2 Main Factors

– 1. Genetics1. Genetics– 2. Environment2. Environment

GeneticsGenetics– Determine advantages, disadvantages, then Determine advantages, disadvantages, then

market ability.market ability.– Certified Angus Beef Certified Angus Beef (50% Black, typical beef type, no (50% Black, typical beef type, no

floppy ear or hump larger than 4”, carcass avg choice or floppy ear or hump larger than 4”, carcass avg choice or better, yield of 3 or better)better, yield of 3 or better)

EnvironmentalEnvironmental– Geographical environment, management env. Geographical environment, management env.

And personal preferenceAnd personal preference

Breed SelectionBreed Selection Production CriteriaProduction Criteria

1. Mature Size - will it fit the environment? Do 1. Mature Size - will it fit the environment? Do not outgrow your environment.not outgrow your environment.

2. Milk production - as milking ability increases, 2. Milk production - as milking ability increases, the nutritional requirements increase. (Ex. the nutritional requirements increase. (Ex. Simmental)Simmental)

3. Muscle Amount - as we increase muscling, 3. Muscle Amount - as we increase muscling, fertility rate decreases. (higher muscle results fertility rate decreases. (higher muscle results in distocia in males and females)in distocia in males and females)

4. Sexual Maturity - age at puberty, when is the 4. Sexual Maturity - age at puberty, when is the 1st ovulation1st ovulation

5. Management efficiency - easy keeper, 5. Management efficiency - easy keeper, foraging abilityforaging ability

6. Biological Specie- Bos Indicus vs. Bos Taurus6. Biological Specie- Bos Indicus vs. Bos Taurus

Bos Indicus vs. Bos TaurusBos Indicus vs. Bos Taurus Bos IndicusBos Indicus

– Humped BreedsHumped Breeds

AdvantagesAdvantages– Heat resistantHeat resistant– resistant to resistant to

parasitesparasites

DisadvantagesDisadvantages– less adaptable to less adaptable to

coldcold– lower reproductive lower reproductive

efficiencyefficiency

Bos TaurusBos Taurus– Non Humped BreedsNon Humped Breeds

AdvantagesAdvantages– Cold resistantCold resistant– higher repro higher repro

efficiencyefficiency

DisadvantagesDisadvantages– heat tolerance lowheat tolerance low– susceptible to susceptible to

diseasedisease

Breed SelectionBreed Selection British/ EnglishBritish/ English

– Angus, Shorthorn, Red Angus, Hereford, Polled Angus, Shorthorn, Red Angus, Hereford, Polled HerefordHereford

European/ ContinentalEuropean/ Continental– Simmental, Gelbvieh, Salers, Maine Anjou, Simmental, Gelbvieh, Salers, Maine Anjou,

Chianina, PinzgauerChianina, Pinzgauer AmericanAmerican

– Brangus, Simbrah, Santa Gertrudis, Brangus, Simbrah, Santa Gertrudis, Brahmousin, Beefmaster, BrafordBrahmousin, Beefmaster, Braford

Hybrid VigorHybrid Vigor– The crossing of 2 totally different breeds.The crossing of 2 totally different breeds.– We calculate HV to give us an idea of heritability of We calculate HV to give us an idea of heritability of

traits (such as markings, muscle, milk, reproduction) traits (such as markings, muscle, milk, reproduction) FF11 have the most expression HV have the most expression HV

Calculating HVCalculating HV

(ww of offspring - Average ww of parents)/ (ww of offspring - Average ww of parents)/ average ww of parents *100 = %HV WWaverage ww of parents *100 = %HV WW

ww= weaning weight (the weight at which an ww= weaning weight (the weight at which an animal is taken off of the milk from mother) animal is taken off of the milk from mother)

Hybrid VigorHybrid VigorExample:Example:

Brahman Bull = 480 wwBrahman Bull = 480 ww

Hereford Cow = 500 wwHereford Cow = 500 ww

F1 Calf = 525F1 Calf = 525

480+500= 980/2 =490 480+500= 980/2 =490

(525- 490)/490 * 100 = 7.14%(525- 490)/490 * 100 = 7.14%

7%HV7%HV

*If the ww of offspring is less than the wt. of *If the ww of offspring is less than the wt. of the best parent- crossbreeding is pointless.the best parent- crossbreeding is pointless.

*High weaning weight is a plus- for any specie!*High weaning weight is a plus- for any specie!

Hybrid VigorHybrid VigorExample: Example:

<<<TRY THIS ONE ON YOUR OWN>>><<<TRY THIS ONE ON YOUR OWN>>>

Brahman Bull = 380 wwBrahman Bull = 380 ww

Angus Cow = 400 wwAngus Cow = 400 ww

F1 Calf = 325F1 Calf = 325

What is the % of HV?What is the % of HV?

English/ British BreedsEnglish/ British Breeds

AngusAngus Originated in Originated in

ScotlandScotland TaurusTaurus solid Black or redsolid Black or red PolledPolled Came to America Came to America

in 1873in 1873 resistant to harsh resistant to harsh

weatherweather Early maturingEarly maturing

HerefordHereford

Originated in Originated in Hereford, EnglandHereford, England

Red with white Red with white head, legs, and head, legs, and underlineunderline

PurebredPurebred Early maturingEarly maturing Good temperedGood tempered 1817 Henry Clay1817 Henry Clay

ShorthornShorthorn

Originated in Originated in EnglandEngland

Red; red & white or Red; red & white or roan in colorroan in color

Originally used as a Originally used as a dual purpose breed dual purpose breed for meat and milkfor meat and milk

Sometimes called Sometimes called the Durham breedthe Durham breed

SimmentalSimmental Originated in Originated in

SwitzerlandSwitzerland Oldest breed of Oldest breed of

cattle in the worldcattle in the world Large, powerful Large, powerful

breedbreed Brought to the Brought to the

United States in United States in 19711971

AKA: FleckAKA: Fleck

European BreedsEuropean Breeds

GelbviehGelbvieh Originated in GermanyOriginated in Germany Red in color, gold to Red in color, gold to

rustrust Dual Purpose breed, Dual Purpose breed,

milk and meatmilk and meat adaptable to broad adaptable to broad

range in climaterange in climate 4 most numerous 4 most numerous

breedbreed Noted for superior Noted for superior

fertility and mothering fertility and mothering abilityability

CharolaisCharolais Originated in Originated in

FranceFrance Traditionally Traditionally

white in colorwhite in color Long bodied, Long bodied,

large cattlelarge cattle Heavily muscledHeavily muscled Coarse lookingCoarse looking

Maine AnjouMaine Anjou Originated in Originated in

Northwest FranceNorthwest France Dark red with white Dark red with white

markings or blackmarkings or black Developed by Developed by

crossing the crossing the Durham and Durham and Mancelle breedMancelle breed

Bulls 2200- 3100#Bulls 2200- 3100# Name came from Name came from

river valleysriver valleys

ChianinaChianina Originated in West Originated in West

Central ItalyCentral Italy One of the oldest One of the oldest

breeds of cattlebreeds of cattle Draft animalsDraft animals Tallest and largest Tallest and largest

breed of beef cattlebreed of beef cattle Short hair that is Short hair that is

white to steel gray, white to steel gray, blackblack

Terminal breedTerminal breed high heat tolerancehigh heat tolerance

BrahmanBrahman

Originated in IndiaOriginated in India Able to survive on Able to survive on

very little, poor feedvery little, poor feed Insect & heat Insect & heat

resistantresistant Excess skin and Excess skin and

large hump on backlarge hump on back White to gray, red to White to gray, red to

blackblack Sweat glands Sweat glands

PinzgauerPinzgauer

Originated in Originated in EuropeEurope

Red and whiteRed and white Austrian nameAustrian name good meat good meat

productionproduction Certified Certified

Pinzgauers have a Pinzgauers have a white top line and white top line and white bottom linewhite bottom line

SalersSalers Originated in South Originated in South

Central FranceCentral France PurebredPurebred milk and meatmilk and meat Typically Horned, polled Typically Horned, polled

red or black available.red or black available. Depicted in cave Depicted in cave

dwellings 7k yrs ago.dwellings 7k yrs ago. Survive in rough rocky Survive in rough rocky

terrain and harsh damp terrain and harsh damp climatesclimates

major contributor to major contributor to American meat marketAmerican meat market

Belgian BlueBelgian Blue

Originated in EuropeOriginated in Europe Red and Black Pide Red and Black Pide

with Shorthornwith Shorthorn TaurusTaurus White, blue roan, White, blue roan,

some black,some black, Double muscledDouble muscled Beef and milkBeef and milk late maturing, mild late maturing, mild

tempertemper

LimousinLimousin Originated in South Originated in South

Central FranceCentral France IndicusIndicus Golden redGolden red Sturdy and adaptableSturdy and adaptable Dual purpose meat and Dual purpose meat and

workwork Butchers animalButchers animal Isolated breed, genetic Isolated breed, genetic

interference is not a interference is not a problemproblem

American BreedsAmerican Breeds

Polled HerefordPolled Hereford

Registered Registered American Breed, American Breed, Iowa 1901Iowa 1901

Red and White Red and White body, brisket and body, brisket and undersideunderside

Naturally horn-lessNaturally horn-less developed as an developed as an

ideaidea

BrafordBraford

Originated in Originated in FloridaFlorida

3/8 Brahman, 5/8 3/8 Brahman, 5/8 HerefordHereford

White face with White face with red body and red red body and red eye patcheseye patches

Texas LonghornTexas Longhorn

Developed Developed entirely by nature entirely by nature in North Americain North America

Known for its long Known for its long hornshorns

High fertilityHigh fertility Were near Were near

extinction in 1927extinction in 1927

Santa GertrudisSanta Gertrudis Developed on the King Developed on the King

Ranch in TexasRanch in Texas All Santa Gertrudis All Santa Gertrudis

are descendants of are descendants of the bull, “Monkey”the bull, “Monkey”

3/8 Brahman bulls, 5/8 3/8 Brahman bulls, 5/8 Shorthorn cowsShorthorn cows

hair is long in cold hair is long in cold climates and short in climates and short in hot climateshot climates

Feedlot efficientFeedlot efficient

BrahmousinBrahmousin

AmericanAmerican 3/8 Brahman, 5/8 3/8 Brahman, 5/8

LimousinLimousin PurebredPurebred Dark mahogany to Dark mahogany to

light tan colorlight tan color at least 1/4 Limousin at least 1/4 Limousin

And 1/4 Brahman to And 1/4 Brahman to be recordedbe recorded

Red BrangusRed Brangus

Originated in So. Originated in So. TexasTexas

3/8 Brahman, 5/8 3/8 Brahman, 5/8 AngusAngus

developed in 30’sdeveloped in 30’s Bulls breed till 10 Bulls breed till 10

yrsyrs Cows till 14 yrsCows till 14 yrs

SimbrahSimbrah

Developed in humid Developed in humid areas along the Gulf areas along the Gulf Coast Coast

3/8 Simmental, 5/8 3/8 Simmental, 5/8 BrahmanBrahman

Known as “The All Known as “The All Purpose American Purpose American Breed”Breed”

High fertility and High fertility and Early maturingEarly maturing

BeefmasterBeefmaster Originated Lasater Originated Lasater

Ranch, AmericanRanch, American 1/4 Hereford, 1/4 1/4 Hereford, 1/4

Shorthorn, 1/2 Shorthorn, 1/2 BrahmanBrahman

Brownish Red most Brownish Red most commoncommon

6 essentials6 essentials– WeightWeight– ConformationConformation– Milking abilityMilking ability– FertilityFertility– HardinessHardiness– DispositionDisposition

BrangusBrangus Originated in US 1932, Originated in US 1932,

USDA experiment USDA experiment station in LA.station in LA.

3/8 Brahman, 5/8 3/8 Brahman, 5/8 AngusAngus

solid black, can be redsolid black, can be red calves are largecalves are large adaptable to all adaptable to all

climatesclimates good mothering abilitygood mothering ability good feedlot efficiencygood feedlot efficiency