Beef, it’s what’s for dinner

Chapter #6

What is a Breed?

a group of animals that have certain traits in commoncolorsizebody structureplace of originhorned 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 Herefordcrossbreed to achieve desired animal traits

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 Herefordsmaller cows and calvesexcellent conformation (body type)mature lighterresistant to pinkeye & cancer eye (due to black)

Shorthorn - dual purpose breed (meat/milk)

Hereford

Polled Hereford

Angus

Shorthorn

Other Beef BreedsBrahman - from France

hot & humid climatesdisease resistant

Charolais - large & long body, fast growthused to increase size of English breedsincreasing in popularity due to low marbling

Santa Gertrudis - 3/8 Brahman & 5/8 shorthornpopular 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 weightsimportation laws restrict bringing exotics into the

U.S.

Beefalo

Beefmaster

Belgian Blue

Belted Galloway

Blonde d’Aquintaine

Chianina

Devon

Dexter

Galloway

Gelbvieh

Highland

Limousin

Maine Anjou

Murray Grey

Piedmontese

Pinzgaur

Salers

Simmental

South Devon

Tarentaise

Beef Production

Cow-Calf Production: own cows, sell weaner calves

Stocker: buy weaner calves, sell yearlingsFeedlot Finishing: buy calves, fatten, sell to

slaughter house

Beef ProductionCow-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

Feedlot Finishing

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

Beef TerminologyA Mature Male is called a:

BullA Mature Female is called a:

CowThe act of Giving Birth is called:

CalvingGestation =

283 daysA Castrated Male is called a:

SteerAn Immature Female is called a:

Heifer

Beef, it’s what’s for dinner.