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- Holstein
- Origins- Europe and the NetherlandsMarkings- White and black, white and redSize- Largest of the dairy breeds. Adults weigh around 1500 pounds at maturity.Personality- Bulls can be very aggressiveProduction-
- High producing animals (highest of all dairy breeds). Normal productive
- span is around 6 years (shorter span than a lot of other cows)
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- Jersey
- Origins- Island of Jersey (small British island off of the coast of France). Known in England since 1771.
- Markings- Range in color from a very light gray to a very dark fawn may be solid colored or have a broken pattern solid fawn colored have black muzzle and deer eyes.
- Size- Generally a small breed, around 800 pounds Americanized breeds can be larger (around 1200 pounds)
- Personality- More nervous than other breeds but still fairly docile. Jersey bulls are known for having the worst temperament of the common cattle breeds.
- Production- Considering size, productivity is good
- produce milk with the highest milk fat %
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- Guernsey
- Origins- Dates back to 960 A.D. from the Isle of Guernsey off of the coast of France in the English Channel. First came to America in 1840
- Size- Medium sized, brownish in color. Slightly
- smaller than Holsteins
- Personality- is gentle, docile and easy to manage
- Production- Does well set out on pasture. Does
- not consume as much as other breeds, econimical. Tolerates heat better than other breeds
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- Brown Swiss
- Origins- Switzerland. Prominent among dairy breeds in the first half of 19th century. Crossed
- with a breed from Austria to improve line. First
- came to US in 1869
- Markings- Brown. May have a colored streak down the back (possible remnant of Austrian breed?)
- Size- Medium. Slightly smaller than Holstein
- Personality- Quiet temperament
- Production- Hardy and good in all climates. Known
- for having strong feet and legs
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- Ayreshire
- Origins- Ayr County Scotland prior to 1880. Believed to be a cross between many breeds and native cattle.
- Markings- Redand white. Reds vary from very light to very dark. Patterns vary from almost all red to almost all white. Purebreds will only produce red and white offspring.
- Size- Medium, weigh over 1200 pounds at
- maturity. Same as Guernsey.
- Production- Very hardy, do well in all sorts of
- production settings. Calves are strong, easy to raise. Few breeds can match their ability to forage for themselves under adverse conditions.
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- Milking Shorthorn
- Origins- One of the oldest recognized breeds in the world. First imported to the US from England in 1783. Sometimes referred to as Durhams.
- Markings- Red, red & white, white or roan
- Size- Medium
- Personality- Docile
- Production- Very hardy, easy to keep. Calves are very strong and vigorous.
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- Dutch Belted
- Origins- Holland, 1750’s.
- Markings- Dark with a white band through mid section.
- Size- Medium
- Personality-Quiet, gentle and friendly.
- Production-Known for longevity.
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- Angus
- Origins- Old breed (over a thousand years) from Scottland.
- Markings-Solid black, though a recessive gene can cause red. May have small amount of white on underline. Polled breed.
- Size– Medium
- Production- Because of being polled, they are used as a genetic dehorner. Popular Japanese beef source.
- Used widely in crossbreeding to improve carcass quality and milking ability.
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- Brahman
- Origins- Considered the sacred cattle of India. Many Hindus will not eat their meat or allow them to be slaughtered.
- Markings- Large hump over shoulders (Bos indicus
- breed). Horns usually curve upwards. Have large dewlap and large, floppy ears. Secrete oily secretion that produces a musky odor. It is said that it repels insects. Vary in color from light gray to almost black. A majority of the breed is a light to medium gray.
- Size- Medium size breed. Cows @ 1000-1400 lbs. , Bulls @1600 lbs.
- Personality- Intelligent, inquisitive and shy. They
- like affection, very docile. They grunt instead of moo.
- Production-They withstand hot and humid weather. Resist insects well and produce a carcass with a good “cut out” value (not much outside fat).
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- Beefmaster
- Origins- Texas, around 1908. Cross between Brahman-Hereford and Brahman-Shorthorn. Bred
- for beef production. Producers don’t care about color.
- Markings- Multiple colors, but usually red. Horned.
- Size- Large sized breed.
- Personality-Good disposition.
- Production-Beef only. Do well in a variety of conditions.
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- Brangus
- Origins- Cross between Brahman (3/8) and Angus (5/8) Started around 1932
- Markings- Solid black or red, polled, small hump over withers, longer ears, loose hide.
- Size-Medium
- Production- Very hardy, productive for both beef and milk.
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- Charolais
- Origins- France, maybe as early as 878 A.D.
- Markings- White with pink skin and muzzle.
- Horned. Long bodied.
- Size-Large sized breed. Mature bulls can weigh over 2500 lbs. Cows can come in around
- 1250-2000 lbs. with or without horns.
- Personality- Can be a little coarse.
- Production- Bred to be larger animal than the British bred cattle. Seem to do well in a wide range of conditions
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- Limousin
- Origins- France. Cattle found in cave drawings over 20,000 years old resemble limousin cattle.
- Markings- Golden-red, some are black.
- Size-Large, males weigh up to and over 2000 lbs.
- Females come in around 1400 lbs. Long body.
- Production- Beef only. Most numerous beef breed in Britian.
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- Hereford
- Origins- England, Herefordshire County. Purebred
- strain established in early 1700’s
- Markings- Rust brown to deep rich red: Face, crest, dewlab, underline, switch, & legs below hocks are white. Long body.
- Size- medium sized breed
- Personality- Docile
- Production- Does well in a wide range of pasture conditions –assimilates roughage well. Good Fertility
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- Texas Longhorn
- Origins- North America, Descendant from cattle first introduced to American soil 500 years ago. Product of “survival of the fittest” Nearly extinct until US government started protecting in 1927
- Markings- Many shades, colors, & patterns. Long
- horns. Mature, 15 yr. old steers have been know to have 9 foot horns…Average horn size is 4 feet or less.
- Size- Medium: ranging from 800-15000 lbs.
- Personality- Aggressive breed, very instinctual
- Production- hardy and adaptable
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