Classification and

Identification
of Cattle Breeds

Mt MorrisBeef Cattle Seminar

June 17, 2009

CLASSIFICATION OF BEEF CATTLE

B e e f C a t t le
BO S TAU R U S
B r it is h

EU R O PEAN

B O S T A U R U S / IN D IC U S

B O S IN D IC U S

F 1 C ro s s

ZEBU

BRITISH BREEDS OF CATTLE

Hereford
Polled Herefords
Black Angus
Red Angus
Devon
Shorthorn
Red Poll
Galloway
British Whites
Scotch Highland
Welsh Black
Wagyu

Dairy Cattle
Jersey
Guernsey
Ayrshire
Milking Shorthorn

EUROPEAN BREEDS OF CATTLE

Simmental
Limousin
Maine-Anjou
Dutch Belted
Salers
Charolais
Piedmontese
Blonde dAquitaine
Belgian Blue
Chianina
Gelbvieh
MRI
Normande
Pinzqauer
Devon
South Devon
Tarentaise

Dairy
Brown Swiss
Holstein

COMPOSITE BREEDS OF CATTLE

Brangus

(RED & BLACK)

Beefmasters
Beefmaker
Simbrah
Braford
Bramousin
Santa Gertrudis
American
7 Way Composite
Salorn

HYBRID-VIGOR BENEFITS
More Climate variable
Increased Growth Rate
Increased Vigor and Fertility

BOS TAURUS BEEF BREEDS

BRITISH / EUROPEAN

Hereford
Originated in England
Red with white points
Horned usually
Known for pink eye

Bos Taurus / British Breed

Classification

Red Angus
Originated in the British Isles
Same as Black Angus
Barred from Angus herdbook
Recognized as separate breed

Bos Taurus / British Breed

Classification

Black Angus

Native to Angus (near Scotland)

Most popular beef breed in the
US
Always black in color
Can produce Red Angus
Known for Marbling Ability

Bos Taurus / British Breed

Classification

Texas Longhorn
Originated in the United States
Various colors
Almost went extinct
Known for Low Birth Weights
and Calving ease for Heifers

Bos Taurus / British Breed

Classification

Red Poll
Developed in England
Primarily used for meat in US
Milk production in other countries
Dark red and polled

Bos Taurus / British Breed

Classification

Shorthorn
Originated in England
White to red in color
Roane Color, very popular for
show heifers.

Bos Taurus / British Breed

Classification

Murray Grey
Developed in New South Wales-Australia
Became a recognized Australian breed in 1962
Cross of

Roan Shorthorn and Angus

Known for small birth weights
Good Carcass traits
Docile Disposition
Dark pigment on head and udders

Belted Galloway
Developed in the 16th century in Scotland
Know for shaggy coat-ideal for wet, cold

conditions
Developed from a cross of Galloway and
Dutch Belted
Have good marbling ability
Polled and refered to as Belties

Devon
Originated in England
Also called North Devon
One of the oldest beef breeds
At one time used for milk
Mature cows weigh 950-1300 lbs.

Bos Taurus / British Breed

Classification

South Devon
High Maternal Breed
Not Related to Devon
High butterfat-4.2%
Refered to as Gentle Giants

Bos taurus/British Breed

Classification

Ayrshire
Origin Scotland
High butterfat and Protein
Do Well in Harse Conditions

Bos taurus/British Breed

Classification

Guernsey
Origin Jersey Isle in English Channel
High butterfat and Protein
Used in Grazing Operations
Larger than Jersey cattle

Bos taurus/British Breed

Classification

Jersey
Origin Jersey Isle in English Channel
High butterfat and Protein
Popular due to high components in Milk
Small Mature Size
Used in Crossbreeding
#2 Dairy Breed
Bos taurus/British Breed
Classification

Bos Taurus
Breeds of European Origin

Dutch Belted
Dual Purpose
Developed in Holland from cattle originating in

Austria
Moderate Frame Size
Bos Taurus/Dutch Breed
Classification

Holstein
#1 Dairy Breed
Developed in North Holland and Freisland
High Milk Production
Large Mature Size
Bos Taurus/Dutch Breed
Classification

Brown Swiss
Switzerland Origin
Large Cattle Dual Purpose-Braunvieh
High Milk Components
Large Mature Size
Developed at High Altitude
Bos Taurus/Swiss Breed
Classification

Limousin
Native to South-Central France
Golden-red to red-brown in
color

Bos Taurus European

Breed Classification

Simmental
First recorded in Switzerland
Large body mass
Light red to dark red with white points
Known for Maternal Characteristics

Bos Taurus / European Breed

Classification

Charolais

Originated in France
White in color
Mature bulls weigh 2000-2500+ lbs.
Mature bulls weigh 1250-2000+ lbs.
Known for Size and Muscle

Bos Taurus / European Breed

Classification

Wagyu
All Japanese cattle
Various colors
Consists of many Japanese breeds
Known for Marbling in the Meat

Bos Taurus / European

Breed Classification

Piedmontese
Originated in Italy
Double muscled breed
Light to dark gray in color

Bos Taurus / European

Breed Classification

Blonde dAquitaine
Originated in France
Blonde color
Known for Heavy Muscle

Bos Taurus / European

Breed Classification

Salers
Native to France
Milk production important in Europe
Rod to brown in color
Known for some Carcass Merit

Bos Taurus / European

Breed Classification

Tarentaise
Originated in France
Used for milk in Europe
Red color

Bos Taurus / European Breed

Classification

Maine-Anjou
Originated in France
Mature bulls weigh 2100-3000 lbs.
Mature cows weigh 1500-1900 lbs.
Dark red with white markings

Bos Taurus / European

Breed Classification

BOS INDICUS BEEF BREEDS

ZEBU

Red Brahman
Heat and Insect
Resistant
Mothering Ability

Bos Indicus Classification

Brahman
Developed in the United States
Light gray or red to black
Known for Mothering Ability
Named after Brahman Shines in
India
A mix of Nelore, Indu-Brazil, Gyr
breeds

Tropically adapted-have sweat gland

Bos Indicus Classification

Nelore
Known form having smaller
ears and cleaner lines than
other zebu breeds.
Biggest populations in
South America.
Heat and Insect tolerant

Bos Indicus Classification

Indo Brazilian
Known for Large Ears
Heaviest Populations in
South America
High in Maternal Attributes

Bos Indicus Classification

Africander
Native to South Africa
Usually red with long horns
Used for meat and as a draft animal
Mature cows weigh 1150-1350 lbs.
Mature bulls weigh 1650-2200 lbs.
Bos Indicus Classification

Composite Beef Cattle Breeds

Hays Converters
Developed in Canada
Senator Harry Hays-Calgary, Alberta
1/3 Hereford
1/3 Holstein
1/3 Brown Swiss
Known for growth rate, high fertility,
sound udders, and high milk production
First Recognized Composite in
Canada in 1975
Composite Breed Classification

Brangus
Originated in the United States
3/8 Brahman, 5/8 Angus
Solid black
Polled

Composite Breed Classification

Bramousin
Originated in the United States
Golden to red in color
5/8 Limousin, 3/8 Brahman

Composite Breed
Classification

Braford
Developed in Florida
3/8 Brahman, 5/8Hereford
Red with white points

Composite Breed Classification

Simbrah
Originated in the United States
Brahman and Simmental breeds used
Light to dark red with some white marks

Composite Breed
Classification

Beefmaker
Originated in the United States
3/4 Hereford, 1/4 Simmental
Red with white points

Composite Breed Classification

Beefmaster
Originated in the United States
Brahman, Hereford, and Shorthorn
Composite Breed Classification

Salorn
Developed in the United States
5/8 Salers. 3/8 Texas Longhorn
Lean meat
Environmentally adaptable

Composite Breed Classification

Texon
Originated in the United States
Texas Longhorn and Devon breeds used

Composite Breed Classification

Santa Gertrudis
*Originated at the King
Ranch in Texas
*Made up of Brahman,
Hereford, and Shorthorn
Breeds
*Known for Heat tolerance

Composite Breed Classification

Review Of Beef Cattle Classification

Cattle are Classified into Two Groups
The Bos Taurus Classification includes what two

Groups.
What are some Composite Breeds and what are
their makeup.
What are some Breeds Attributes.