Mini Test! When: Wednesday 4/8/15What: Breed ID and Characteristics of

Polled Hereford, Angus, Brahman

Beef, it’s what’s for dinner

What is a Breed?

● a group of animals that have certain traits in common● color● size● body structure● place of origin● horned or polled

What is a Purebred?

● animals of known ancestry where all parents etc. are of the same breed

● Breed associations register purebred animals, develop markets for those animals, and organize breed shows

What is Crossbreeding?

● mating animals of the same species, but different breeds

● Angus mated to Hereford● crossbreed to achieve desired animal traits

The Industry

● Average US herd is 100 head● Over 40 breeds in the US, as well as crosses

Texas Longhorn

What are the English Beef Breeds? ● Hereford - Red & white, horned or polled

● most popular in the U.S.

● Angus - bred to compete with Hereford● smaller cows and calves● excellent conformation (body type)● marbled meat● resistant to pinkeye & cancer eye (due to black)

● Shorthorn - dual purpose breed (meat/milk)● Largest segment of the industry

Hereford

Polled Hereford

Angus

Shorthorn

Other Beef Breeds● Brahman - from France

● hot & humid climates● disease resistant

● Charolais - large & long body, fast growth● used to increase size of English breeds● increasing in popularity due to low marbling

● Santa Gertrudis - 3/8 Brahman & 5/8 shorthorn● popular in southern U.S.

● Brangus - 3/8 Brahman & 5/8 Angus

Brahman

Charolais

Santa Gertrudis

Brangus

What are Exotics?

● animals not common to U.S.● used for increasing calf weights● importation laws restrict bringing exotics into the

U.S.

Beefalo

Beefmaster

Belgian Blue

Belted Galloway

Chianina

Dexter

Galloway

Gelbvieh

Highland

Limousin

Simmental

South Devon

Beef Production

● Cow-Calf Production: own cows, sell weaner calves

● Stocker: buy weaner calves, sell yearlings● Feedlot Finishing: buy calves, fatten, sell to

slaughter house

Beef Production● Cow-Calf: most common

need range land

calve in spring, sell calves in fall

feed 2# roughages per 100# of cow weight in winter (extra for cold weather)

supplement with needed proteins, minerals, vitamins

feed best hay to those that need it the most (pregnant, lactating, heifers)

lots of clean water & free choice salt

Stocker

● Step between weaning and finishing or fattening of the animals prior to slaughter

● Weaned calves put to pasture for skeletal and muscular growth. Must be physically mature to go to feedlot

Feedlot Finishing

● place calves in feedlot 500-700#● feed high concentrates (grain) 2-4 months● slaughter at 1000-1200#

Beef Terminology● A Mature Male is called a:

Bull● A Mature Female is called a:

Cow● The act of Giving Birth is called:

Calving● Gestation =

283 days● A Castrated Male is called a:

Steer● An Immature Female is called a:

Heifer

Evaluating Meat Animals

● Loin Eye Area● Length of Loin● Rump● Height● Depth of Body● Width/Stockiness

Let’s do the sheep and pigs!