8393 - Lesson Overview

Breeds of Beef Cattle
Several hundred breeds of cattle are either recognized or not recognized throughout the world.  More than 80 recognized breeds of beef cattle are available to producers in the United States, but other breeds continue to be imported and crossing existing breeds continuously creates new breeds. 

Knowledge of breed characteristics is important to beef producers in both purebred and crossbreeding programs. Crossbreeding is considered to be the most efficient means of commercial production, but highly productive purebreds are the backbone of successful commercial crossbreeding programs.

Major characteristics important in beef production include mature body size, milk production, age at puberty, environmental adaptability, rate and efficiency of gain, muscle expression, cutability, and marbling. 

In beef cattle production, no single breed can be considered the best. Because so many variations exist in climatic conditions, production conditions, and market requirements throughout the United States and the world, breeds have to be chosen to fit the conditions and requirements for specific areas. 

Modern beef cattle can be classified as one of two biological types, Bos indicus or Bos taurus. Each type has characteristics found in the breeds of cattle that fall under that classification, but the breeds are not limited to these characteristics. 

Some examples of Bos indicus cattle are the Nelore, Gyr, Guzerat, Brahman, Brangus, and Beefmaster breeds. The Brahman, Brangus, Beefmaster, and other Bos indicus breeds developed in the United States are often referred to as American breeds. Several of these breeds are composite breeds, which means that they were developed by crossing two or more breeds, but these breeds are still classified as Bos indicus.

Bos taurus breeds are those breeds that descended from the ancient Celtic Shorthorn. Bos taurus can be classified into two sub-categories, Continental breeds and British breeds. Continental breeds, also called Exotics, are breeds that originated in Europe. These cattle are known for weight gain and cutability. Continental breeds are generally large in size, lean, muscular, and vary in adaptability to hot climates. Several Continental breeds are common in the United States and include the Charolais, Chianina, Gelbvieh, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Salers, Simmental, and Tarentaise.

British breeds, also known as English breeds, originated in the British Isles. British breeds are smaller in size than the Continental breeds, but they have increased fleshing and marbling abilities. These breeds are the foundation of the United States beef herd and include Angus, Hereford, Red Angus, Red Poll, and Shorthorn.