![]() Like otherĬontinental breeds, Limousin has been crossed with other breeds to increase size and weaning weight. Some breeders have created a black, polled version. Red-gold and well-muscled, these cattle are finer boned than Charolais (less calving problems) but grow as rapidly. Limousin is an old breed from western France. Some breeders have selected for lower birthweights to get away from this problem. ![]() Of the biggest drawbacks to the breed has been calving difficulty because calves are large and thick at birth. Many stockmen use Charolais bulls on cows of other breeds for a terminal cross (selling all offspring as beef) to produce fast-gaining large calves that do well in the feedlot. They are noted for feed efficiency, heavy CharolaisĬharolais are large, white, heavy-muscled cattle that originated inįrance as draft animals. Beginning stockmen desiring to use this breed should keep disposition in mind and select carefully since some individuals are flighty and hot-headed. They are slower to mature than British breeds, taking longer to reach finish weight. They became popular for crossbreeding to create larger, fast-growing cattle. Yellow-brown with white markings, these cattle are noted for rapid growth, large frame, and milk production. Simmentals originated in Switzerland as a dairy cow breed. Milking ability, fast growth, and tractability make this breed a good choice for small farmers who want to raise beef. Today in the U.S., there are two registries - for milking Shorthorns and beef Shorthorns. ![]() Calves are small at birth (easy calving) but grow fast. They are red, white, roan or spotted, and horned. Shorthorns originated as dual-purpose cattle (meat and milk). Most Herefords are docile and mellow, which makes them excellent for beef cattle farming for beginners. Today there are also polled Herefords, created in the early 1900s by selectively breeding a few mutant Herefords are large-framed and heavy-boned with a red body and white face, feet, belly, and tail switch, and horns. If you want to be up close and personal with your cows, choose a breed with a calmer disposition or find a breeder who has selected mellow Angus for easy-handling. They are not always the best choice for beginners because of their hot-headed nature, though there are some mellow individuals. Angus and Angus-cross calves are popular withįeedlot buyers because of their excellent carcass traits.Īngus cows are popular with many ranchers because they are good mothers and require very little care at calving. Breed traits include fast growth, marbled meat (flecks of fat, making it tender and juicy), and maternal ability (aggressive, protective mothers that produce a lot of milk for their calves).Ī separate breed of Red Angus was created by selecting Angus with a recessive red gene. AngusĪngus are black and genetically polled (no horns). Various breeds can be crossed to add traits that you might desire in your beef animals or brood cows. Limousin, Gelbieh, Braunvieh, Tarentaise, Chianina, Maine Anjou, Blonde d’Aquitaine, Piedmontese, Romagnola American breeds that were createdīy mixing British and/or continental breeds with Brahman to produce better hot-climate cattle (Brangus, Braford, Charbray, Santa Gertrudis, Beefmaster, etc.), or the Texas Longhorn descended from feral Spanish cattle in the Southwest and breeds from other continents such as Watusi, Wagyu, Murray Grey, etc. Here are descriptions of most of the breeds you’ll encounter, but you can find more details on their websites.īreeds in North America include British breeds like Angus, Hereford, and Shorthorn continental (European) breeds like Charolais, Simmental, Salers, It’s important to choose a breed that fits your goals and purposes. ![]() ![]() If you have a small farm and your kids are helping handle the cattle, you want a breed with a gentle disposition. Some breeds are better than others for finishing on grass. For instance, a breed that does well in a hot climate may not do well in a cold one, and vice versa. Every beef cattle breed has pluses and minuses, and what might be a plus for one farmer could be a drawback in another situation. ![]()
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