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COMMON BEEF BREEDS. and other important stuff!. WHAT IS A BREED?. A breed consists of animals which have been selected for certain characteristics and which breed true for those characteristics. Depending on the reference….
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COMMON BEEF BREEDS and other important stuff!
WHAT IS A BREED? • A breed consists of animals which have been selected for certain characteristics and which breed true for those characteristics
Depending on the reference… • There are somewhere between 300 and 1,000 breeds and strains of cattle worldwide! • Most are found in very isolated regions. • Did you know that cattle are NOT indigenous to North America?
PRIOR TO 1965… • There were very few different breeds of cattle in the United States. • Dominant breeds included: Texas Longhorns (from Spanish Longhorns) Angus Hereford Shorthorn • Composite breeds were also being developed.
WHAT’S A COMPOSITE? • A composite breed is developed from two or more previously established breeds. • Examples would include: Santa Gertrudis (Longhorn X Shorthorn) Brangus (Brahman X Angus) Braford (Brahman X Hereford)
BEFORE THE 1960’s… • Approximately 20 different breeds were available in the United States. • Today, there are over 70 breeds found in the United States. • The development of the feedlot industry created the catalyst for the increase in the number of breeds.
CURRENTLY… • The number of breeds in the United States will vary. • Importations from other countries will affect the numbers. • Only about 12-15 breeds of the approximately 70 actually have a major influence on the cattle industry!
CROSSBREDS • A large portion of the U.S. cattle industry relies on crossbreeding to improve and/or enhance the genetics of purebreds. • However, a large problem then exists with management and consistency in product quality.
COMMON U.S. BREEDS • The next group of slides represent breeds common in the United States. • You will need to take notes about each breed!
OTHER BREEDS OF BEEF CATTLE • The next group of pictures represent breeds of cattle that can be found in smaller numbers in the United States. • Some are composite breeds.
TO LEARN MORE… • For more information on any of these breeds of cattle or for rarer breeds, please visit the following website: www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/ Once there, click on beef breeds and select the breed you would like to know more about!