BEEF CATTLE

History of Beef Cattle• European cattle (Bos taurus) are descendants of the

ancient Auroch cattle that once roamed Europe; the last one was killed on a game preserve in the 1600’s.• Indian cattle (Bos indicus) have been held sacred by the

Hindu religion for hundreds of years.• Cattle have always been a pillar of human society;

cattle were once a measure of someone’s wealth.

History of Beef Cattle• Cattle first brought to America by Columbus on his 2nd

voyage.• Introduced to the mainland by the Spanish.• Major cattle industry started after the War Between the

States.

BEEF CATTLE BREEDS

Beef Cattle Breeds• There are more than 250 breeds of cattle worldwide.

• In the U.S., cattle breeds are divided into three categories: British, Continental, and American.

British Breeds• British cattle breeds come from the British Isles

(England, Scotland, & Ireland).• British cattle tend to be smaller in size & frame.• They also have higher milk yields than other breeds.

British Breeds: Hereford• The Hereford breed was developed in the county of

Herefordshire, England• Introduced to U.S. in 1817 by Henry Clay.• Replaced the Longhorn as the main breed of cattle on

the range.• Color: Red & White. Horned.

British Breeds: Polled Hereford• The polled Hereford was developed in Iowa in 1901.• It is still considered a British Breed. • This breed was developed to remove the horns.• Color: Red & White. Polled.

British Breeds: Angus• Originated in Aberdeenshire and Angushire counties of

Scotland.• Introduced to U.S. in 1873.• One of the only breeds solely developed for meat

quality.• Color: Black. Polled.

British Breeds: Red Angus• Developed in 1954.• Created by separating genetic recessive red cattle from

the black cattle.• Color: Red. Polled.

British Breeds: Shorthorn• Introduced to U.S. in 1783; originally called Durham.• Was the most prominent breed at one time.• Colors: Red, White, & Red Roan. Horned & Polled.

British Breeds: Devon• One of the oldest breeds.• Introduced to America around 1623.• Originally used for meat, milk, and draft.• Now a distinct meat breed.• Color: Red. Horned.

British Breeds: Galloway• Originated in the land of Galloway in southern Scotland.• Introduced to the U.S. in 1866.• One of the only breeds solely developed for meat

quality. Longer hair than most breeds.• Color: Black, Red, & White. Polled.

British Breeds: Belted Galloway

• Same origin as Galloway; Belted Galloway first mentioned during the 18th century.• Bred for meat production but also for white belt.• Introduced to the U.S. around 1939.• Color: Black & Red with White. Polled.

Continental Breeds• Continental breeds come from Europe.• They are larger in size and frame.• Heavier muscled.• Developed for meat, milk, and draft.• Most of these breeds have been introduced to the U.S.

within the past 80 years.

Continental Breeds:

Simmental• Originated in Switzerland.• Introduced to U.S. in 1971.• One of the most populous and wide spread breeds.• Color: Red, White, & Black. Polled.

Continental Breeds: Charolais• Originated in France.

• One of the oldest French breeds.• Introduced to the U.S. in 1934.• Color: White. Horned & Polled.

Continental Breeds: Gelbvieh• Originated in Bavaria, Germany.

• One of the oldest German cattle breeds.• Introduced to U.S. in 1971.• Colors: Red/Yellow & Black. Horned; Polled in U.S.

Continental Breeds: Limosin• Originated in France.

• Very hardy and rugged.• Introduced to the U.S. in 1971.• Color: Red/Yellow & Black. Horned; Polled in U.S.

Continental Breeds: Maine-

Anjou• Originated in France.• Introduced to North America in 1969.• Very popular for show cattle.• Colors: Red, White, & Black. Horned; Polled in U.S.

Continental Breeds: Chianina • Originated in Italy.• Introduced to U.S. in 1973.• Heavy muscle & long legs; one of the tallest breeds.• Color: White, Gray, & Black with Black Nose. Horned.

Continental Breeds: Belgian

Blue• Originated in Belgium.• Introduced to U.S. in 1978.• Leaner meat, more muscle, and thinner muscle fiber.• Heavy muscle due to natural genetic mutation.• Color: White, Blue Roan, & Black. Polled.

Continental Breeds:

Romagnola• Originated in Italy; very old breed.• Introduced to North America in the 1970’s.• When bred with a black cow the calf will most always be

black.• Color: White with Black & Grey areas. Horned.

Other Continental Breeds• Tarentaise

• Piedmontese• Pinzgaur• Braunvieh

American Breeds• These breeds have been developed in America within

the past century.• Most of these breeds are comprised of Brahman

crosses.

American Breeds: Brahman• Developed in the U.S. around 1922-1923.

• Built from the Gir, Guzerat, & Nellore.• Heat tolerant, good milk, & pest tolerant.• Color: Grey & Red with some Black. Horned.

American Breeds: Brangus• Developed in Louisiana in 1932; developed to utilize the

superior traits of both breeds.• 3/8 Brahman & 5/8 Angus.• Best black breed for the South.• Color: Black. Polled.

American Breeds: Red Brangus• Developed in Texas in the early 1930’s.

• Varied Crosses: 3/8 & 5/8, ½ & ½ , ¼ & ¾ .• Same traits as Black Brangus with better heat tolerance.• Color: Red. Polled.

American Breeds: Braford• Developed in Florida on Adams Ranch in the late

1940’s.• 3/8 Brahman & 5/8 Hereford.• The most sought after brood cow in the South.• Color: Red with White. Horned. & Polled.

American Breeds: Braford cont.• The Braford F1 female is the most sought after brood

cow in the South.• “Queen of the Cow Herd”• ½ Brahman & ½ Hereford.• Color: Red, Brown, Tiger Stripe.

American Breeds: Santa Gertrudis• Developed in Texas on the King Ranch in 1920.

• 3/8 Brahman & 5/8 Shorthorn.• Known for mothering and ruggedness.• Color: Cherry Red. Horned & Polled.

American Breeds: Beefmaster• Developed in Texas on the Lasater Ranch in the 1930’s.

• ½ Brahman, ¼ Hereford, & ¼ Shorthorn.• “Six Essentials”• Color: Varies from Red, Cream, & Black. Horned.

American Breeds: Charbray• Developed in Texas during the 1930’s.

• 3/8 Brahman & 5/8 Charolais.• Combines Charolais muscle with Brahman ruggedness.• Color: White. Horned & Polled.

American Breeds: Simbrah• Developed in Texas in the 1960’s.

• 3/8 Brahman & 5/8 Simmental.• The two most populous breeds combined into one.• Color: Black, Red, & Cream with White. Horned & Polled.

American Breed: Senepol• Developed on the island of St. Croix starting in 1918.

• Cross between N’Dama & Red Poll.• Brought to the U.S. in 1977.• An alternative to Brahmans in humid conditions.• Color: Red. Polled.

American Breeds: Texas Longhorn• The original cattle brought by the Spanish 500 years

ago.• Most adapted to the American environment of all

breeds.• Almost went extinct until preservation started in 1927.

American Breeds: Pineywoods/Crackers

• Same background as the Texas Longhorn.• Native cattle breed of the Southeast.• Originally used throughout the South for meat, milk, &

draft.

American Breed: Ankole-Watusi• Not exactly an American breed but much of its

development has taken place within the U.S.• Originally from Africa.• Known for its large oversized horns.• Color: Red, Black, & Cream with White. Horned.

“BEEF, IT’S WHAT’S FOR

DINNER.”

How does beef get from farm to plate?

• In most cases commercial beef cattle production occurs in three phases:• Cow-Calf• Stocker-Yearling• Feedlot

Cow-Calf Production• Commercial Cow-Calf

• Raise most slaughter steers & heifers.• Calf 6-10 months old; 400-650 lbs.

• Seedstock Breeders• Primarily produce breeding cattle, semen, & embryos.

Stocker-Yearling Production• Feeds cattle for growth prior to going to the feedlot.

• Calf/Yearling 600-850 lbs.• Several alternate programs; most all of them consist of

the cattle feeding on pasture.

Feedlot Production• Cattle are fed in pens where harvested feed is brought

to them.• Steers & Heifers weighing 900-1,400 lbs.• Most are located within major grain growing regions.• 10-15% are finished on pasture.

Feedlot Production cont.• Two types of cattle-feeding operations:

• Commercial Feeders• Owned by individuals, partnerships, & corporations.• Range in size from 1,000-100,000 head capacity.

• Farmer-Feeder• Usually owned by an individual or farm.• Normally 1,000 head or less.

Grassfed Beef, An Alternative• Cattle that are finished on pasture instead of in a

feedlot; this process takes longer.• Comes in the form of: “Organic”, “All Natural”, &

“Grassfed”.• Certain breeds are better adapted to this.• Growing demand for this.

CUTS OF BEEF

Where Does That Come From?

Beef Carcass

ChuckRib Short

Loin Loin Round

Brisket Plate Flank

Shank