Beef cattle were first introduced to Australia in 1788, with early imports including Shorthorn and Hereford breeds from Britain used in northern and western regions. Zebu cattle from India and later the American Brahman breed were brought to withstand tropical climates. Major modern breeds fall into two categories - Bos taurus including Angus, Hereford and Charolais, and Bos indicus such as Brahman and Santa Gertrudis, well-suited to northern Australia.

2. Beef Cattle in Australia – History*
 Introduced in 1788
 Shorthorn and Hereford from the British
 North-western Queensland, Northern Territory and
Kimberley
 Southeast and south coast Queensland
 Zebu type (Bos indicus) from India
 American Brahman in 1933
 1970 – semen importation of other breeds
*Retrieved from
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture

3. Major Beef Breeds
 Bos taurus
 Bos indicus

4. Bos taurus
 Angus
 Hereford
 Poll Hereford
 Murray Grey
 Shorthorn
 Charolais
 Limousin
 Simmental

5. Bos indicus
 Belmont Red
 Brahman
 Brangus
 Braford
 Droughtmaster
 Santa Gertrudis

6. Angus

7. Hereford

8. Poll Hereford

9. Murray Grey

10. Shorthorn

11. Charolais

12. Limousin

13. Simmental

14. Belmont Red

15. Brahman

16. Brangus

17. Braford

18. Droughtmaster

19. Santa Gertrudis

20. References
 Belmont Red. (Photograph). Retrieved from http://www.rengab-
dairymeat.info/media/images/Bonsmara-EI040024.jpg
 Braford. (Photograph). Retrieved from http://www.braford.org.au/Donrinda-
DoubleCBrafords/Photos/SaleCattle/2007/Image%202%20Don%20656%20Bazza.jpg
 Brahman. (Photograph). Retrieved from
http://www.fbcattle.com.au/images/sires/arnie_pop.jpg
 Brangus. (Photograph). Retrieved from http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-
otNzIzXGE7M/TqKi8yk0XMI/AAAAAAAACLw/C_5cKgT1bjk/s1600/Brangus.jpg
 Charolais (Photograph). Retrieved from
http://www.pedigreecattle.ie/kilcumreraghcharolais/images/DMarlene.jpg
 Department of Primary Industries (DPI). (2011). Breeds of Beef Cattle. Retrieved from
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/
 Droughtmaster. (Photograph). Retrieved from
http://www.pinnaclepocketcattle.com/files/9413/2030/7200/SPK10171M_Dalton.jpg

21.  Limousin (Photograph). Retrieved from
http://imgc.classistatic.com/cps/blnc/120310/733r1/378251i_20.
jpeg
 Murray Grey (Photograph). (2008). Retrieved from
http://www.bundaleerbeef.com.au/photos/bc34s.jpg.
 Santa Gertrudis. (Photograph). Retrieved from
http://www.australianlivestockgenetics.com.au/Images/Santa-
Gertrudis---bull-1_medium.jpg
 Shorthorn (Photograph). Retrieved from
http://www.moocow.com/info/breedsofcows/breedimages/sho
rthorn/Shorthorn%20Cow.jpg .
 Simmental. (Photograph). Retrieved from
http://www.britishsimmental.co.uk/breed/images/photo2.jpg