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Breeds of Beef Cattle .ppt

This document discusses the classification and identification of various cattle breeds. It begins by outlining how cattle breeds have developed through selective breeding over many generations. It then defines what constitutes a cattle breed and notes there are over 250 recognized breeds worldwide. The document proceeds to describe traits of economic importance to beef cattle like reproductive performance, growth rates, and carcass quality. Finally, it provides details on specific breeds, categorizing them as tropical Zebu cattle, tropical cattle of European type, or temperate breeds, and highlighting traits of several example breeds.

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Classification and Identification of Cattle Breeds
Development of Breeds • Cattle, like most agricultural animals are bred. • Most are the result of many generations of breeding. • Most breeds were developed for a geographical area. • Cattle with desirable characteristics are kept. • Undesirable animals are no longer bred (culled). • No breed has is perfect in all of its traits. • No animal exhibits all of the perfect characteristics of its breed.
What is a Breed • A Breed of cattle is a race or variety, the members of which are related by descent and similar in certain distinguishable characteristics. • There are more than 250 breeds of cattle recognized throughout the world, and several hundred other varieties and types that have not been identified with a name. • New cattle breeds, such as the Brangus, Beefmaster and Santa Gertrudis, are composite or synthetic breeds, that have been developed during the last 50-75 years by combining the desirable characteristics of several existing breeds.
Ancestry Bos indicus- humped cattle, developed in tropical countries Bos taurus- humpless cattle, developed in more temperate zones.
Traits and Their Measurement • The most economically important traits of beef cattle are classified as follows: • Reproductive performance • Percent calf crop (calves born/cows in breeding herd) • Calving interval of less than 365 days • Calving season of less than 90 days • Ease of calving (reduced incidence of dystocia, retained placenta, etc) • Weaning weight and age at puberty • Postweaning growth: growth from weaning to finished weight
Traits and Their Measurement • The most economically important traits of beef cattle are classified as follows: • Feed efficiency: pounds of feed per pound of live-weight gain • Carcass merit: quality grades and yield grades • Longevity (functional traits): length of productive life • Conformation: form, shape and visual appearance of the animal • Freedom from genetic defects • Temperament
Breeds of Beef Cattle • Tropics • Tropical Cattle of European Type • Intermediate Type
Tropical – Zebu Cattle • Most of the cattle indigenous to the tropics belong to the zebu species • External trait which most clearly separates zebu from European type cattle is the hump over the shoulders or the posterior part of the neck. • Hump consists of muscle, connective tissue, and variable amounts of fat • vary by breed, sex, and age of the animal • Narrow body, a sloping rump, and rather long legs
Tropical – Zebu Cattle • Hide is thin, loosely attached, and the brisket and dewlap are usually well developed, particularly in males • Size of the animals varies over a wide range, and breed averages from below 200 to above 400 kg
Why Zebu? (Heat Tolerance) • A high degree of heat tolerance, derived partly from low heat production and partly from a large ability to dissipate heat • A high density of efficient sweat glands increases the loss of heat through evaporation, and the short, sleek coat facilitates the convection to the surrounding air • Small body size contributes to the heat tolerance, as small animals have a higher surface to body mass ratio
Why Zebu? (Partial Resistance to Ticks) • Zebu animals have the ability to repel ticks by movements of the skin, but this is only part of the explanation of their larger resistance • When animals are infested with tick larvae, fewer larvae develop into ticks in zebu than in European type cattle • Zebu cattle are often claimed to posess a certain degree of resistance also to many other tropical diseases
Why Zebu? (Nutrition) • Low nutritional requirements, because of small size, low metabolic rate, and possibly also more efficient digestion at low feeding levels.
Zebu – Milk Production • Potential for milk production is poorly developed in most zebu cattle • Milk yield is low, often not much more than needed to feed the calf properly • Cows usually do not let down milk unless stimulated by the sucking of the calf, and adapt poorly to modem milking routines • Zebu animals are late maturing, both physiologically and sexually, and heat symptoms are weaker than in European cattle
Sahiwal • It is tick-resistant, heat-tolerant and noted for its high resistance to parasites. • Cows average 2270 kg of milk during a lactation while suckling a calf and much higher milk yields have been recorded. • Due to their heat tolerance and high milk production they have been exported to other Asian countries as well as Africa and the Caribbean. • They are generally docile and lethargic, making them more useful for slow work.
Senepol • Naturally polled (hornless) -very desirable trait • When bred to other, horned breeds, the Senepol heredity will ensure that most of the progeny are also polled. • Has the heat tolerance necessary for efficient beef production in hot regions. • Senepol’s short red coat presents a striking sight as they graze in the noonday heat while other breeds seek the shelter of shade. • Rosette-like “patterns” appear along the back of Senepol cattle. • Efficiently functioning baggy sweat glands that reduce the body temperature of the animal.
Senepol • Senepol cattle have greater immunity when compared with other breeds • Carries fewer external parasites such as ticks • Cervix is straight • Selected for ease of handling and docile temperament. • Passed on to their progeny when used in cross breeding programmes.
Angus • History: • Originated from Scotland. • Earliest records date to 1700. • Imported to Kansas in 1873. • Suited well to Midwestern climate. • Today are found in every state in the USA. • Breed Characteristics • Black in color, smooth hair coat; also Red Angus • Polled (naturally have no horns). • Good carcass with well-marbled meat
TROPICAL CATTLE OF EUROPEAN TYPE N'Dama: • Hardy breed, medium size type (100 cm at shoulder height for cows; 120 cm for bulls) with a large and strong head and with lyre-shaped horns • Its skin,with short and thin hair, is fawn colored but varies from sand to black color, sometimes spotted • Average liveweight for a mature steer varies between 250 to 300 kg. • The N'Dama breed is used for meat and the ratio carcass/liveweight is around 50%
Temperate Breeds
Charolais • History • One of the oldest French breeds; central France. • Imported to Mexico in 1930. • Imported to Texas in 1936. • Breed Characteristics • White to light blonde in color, pink skin. • Large and very well-muscled. • Naturally horned. • Bulls: 2,000-2,500 lbs.; cows: 1,500-1,800 lbs..
Shorthorn (polled and horned) • History • Originated in northern England, about 1600. • Imported to Virginia in 1783. • First herdbook in the USA. • Breed Characteristics • Red, White, or roan (mix of red and white) coat. • Docile breed • Bulls: up to 2,400 lbs.; cows: up to 1,500 lbs., • Excellent milking capability.
Shorthorn
Shorthorn
Brahman • History • Developed in southwestern USA. • Closely related to Zebu, or Bos indicus cattle (India). • Used mostly for crossbreeding. • Breed Characteristics • Characteristic “hump” over shoulder. • Light or medium gray coat color. • Large, drooping ears and loose skin.
Brahman
Brangus • History • A result of a cross of Brahman and Angus. • Crosses made as early as 1912 in Louisiana. • Red Brangus developed in Texas in 1946. • Breed Description • Solid black or red in color. • Polled. • Good mothering ability & feed efficiency.
Brangus (Red)
Texas Longhorn
Belgian Blue