cattle breeds pros and cons

It's one thing to find the 'perfect' breed on paper to suit your production strategy. Brahman Cattle Pros and ConsPROS: Heat tolerant – especially important for gulf coast, desert and south Texas environments. So make sure that the breed you choose has a high parasite tolerance for the parasites endemic to your region. However, many Charolais cattle in America are kept for breeding purposes, while their crossbred calves are raised for the feedlot. If you buy something through one of those links, I receive a small commission. Weighing the pros & cons Sep 28, 2017 Livestock. Horns are a leading cause of bruised meat, which must be discarded during slaughter. It is an interesting beef breed. How to find the perfect beef cattle breed for your farm, In my articles I recommend some of my favorite cattle farming books and products. One of the ancient breeds of a universal direction, so to speak about cows. (I get commissions for purchases made using Amazon links in my post.). Are you grass-finishing animals, selling weanlings, or taking yearlings to the auction? What kind of winter weather do you expect your cattle to endure? If you'd like to learn more about breed selection and how to identify the most fertile and most efficient cattle for your herd, check out the "Genetics and Breeding" chapter of my book Grass-Fed Cattle: How to Produce and Market Natural Beef.#CommissionsEarned. Picking the right beef cattle breeds starts with knowing your goals. People bred braunvieh cattle with many other cattle breeds to achieve dairy cattle, so brown Swiss cattle came into being. It is only clear that she is not an aboriginal of the Swiss Alps. If you slaughter your own cattle, horns are much less of an issue than if your calves are ultimately sent to be finished at a feedlot. For example, you could combine the heat tolerance of a tropical breed, like Zebu Cattle with the smaller frame size, lighter (and younger) finishing weight, and cold adaptability of one of the British beef cattle breeds. Charbray Cattle Facts. Some are polled (naturally hornless), such as Angus cattle. Or the Senepol cattle, which were developed for the Caribbean heat by crossing N'Dama Cattle from Africa with the dual purpose Redpoll cattle from England. Pulling power in the field? Copyright © 2013–2021 All rights reserved. Pros and Cons of Owning a Border Collie Blue Heeler Mix. As a chicken keeper, you are probably raising your eyebrow and thinking that to keep ducks you need a pond! Additional Cons of cattle dogs include the fact that they are absolutely not an apartment dog. These cattle often get angry and nervous. Late maturing (up to 36 months) due to their large frame sizes (there are exceptions, especially among the Sanga Cattle, many of which are small or medium sized in adaptation to their historic climate); Larger frame size than the British breeds, though smaller than most tropical beef cattle breeds; Higher finished weight (and correspondingly later finishing age) than British Breeds, but they finish lighter and younger than many tropical breeds; High cutability (yield of meat produced from a carcass versus the waste (fat, bone, etc); Many are known for their strong milking traits, particularly since many were dual purpose breeds raised for both milk and beef production. In fact some authorities consider the Devon's origin to be prehistoric, the assumption being that the breed descended directly from Bos lonqifrons, the smaller type of aboriginal cattle in Britain. Facts on origin, breed structure, population uses, weight, preferred climate, temperament, health, and production are included. predators) and your marketing strategy. Parasites are a nuisance anywhere, but in many tropical regions they can literally tip the balance between life and death. They are also commonly known as Zebu Cattle and are easily identifiable by their characteristic shoulder hump, which the European cattle breeds lack.The European breeds (Bos taurus) evolved in Europe and in the Fertile Crescent. A farm tour is far more useful - it will provide you with all the clues you need to evaluate a breeder. No dog is perfect. It's not a choice that should be taken lightly. Finding the breed that has the unique adaptations suited to your farm simply requires digging a little deeper into their ancestral climates and breed histories. Pros and Cons of Raising Dexter Cattle (in our experience) (If you’re considering raising heritage breed livestock, you’ll surely be interested in listening to this episode of Christian Farm & Homestead Radio. The answer to this question will depend primarily on why you want to keep cattle. Click to learn more about my Affiliates Policies. Their body fat layers, hair growth, and entire body composition are designed to conserve heat, not expel it. The real advantage of the business breed is a combination of genetics, information, marketing and — most importantly — community. What kind of soils will your cattle be on - rocky, boggy, wet, or dry? But don't completely discount the tropical beef cattle breeds from a winter grazing program in northern climates. Some of each? Like all dogs, the Border Heeler has its pros and cons. Tropical breeds (Bos indicus), such as the Gir, Guzerat, Indo-Brazilian, Nelor, and Brahman; and the Sanga Cattle (Bos indicus africanus), such as the Boran, Nguni, Ankole, and Afrikander Cattle are physiologically adapted for expelling excess heat, not conserving it. Brangus Beefmaster Pros and cons of different cattle breeds Angus Bull Beefmaster Pros: Well adjusted for harsh environment. For example, the N'Dama cattle are particularly resistant to the Haemonchus contortus stomach worms of West Africa. Not all beef cattle breeds have horns. By using this site you are agreeing to our terms of use. This determines what specific traits to look for when you begin assessing potential breeds. When you're ready to start your search for your ideal cattle breed, I recommend browsing through one of the cattle breed directories listed on my Cattle Links page, starting with the excellent online breed directory at Cattle International Series, put together by author/researcher Theo Oosthuizen. Hot irons are easy and simple but when the animal goes to slaughter, the branded hide (and meat if the person did it wrong in some cases) must be cut away meaning less useable hide and money. Characteristics The Brown Swiss or Braunvieh is light brown in colour with a creamy white muzzle and dark noze, dark-blue eye pigmentation which helps the breed to resist extreme solar radiation. In the following pages, read about what makes Angus cattle unique and the role the American Angus Association® and its members play in the breed… Are you calving on pasture in a grazing rotation or far from home on a government grazing lease deep in the wilderness? Is bright sunlight (eye strain) an issue in your area? How severe are the temperature fluctuations between summer and winter? Murray grey is a beef cattle breed found abundantly in Australia. As you begin narrowing down your list of suitable breeds for your farm, remember that you're not limited to picking a single breed - for many farmers there are significant advantages (and some disadvantages) to combining the genetic traits of multiple breeds through crossbreeding or by using a mixed breed herd. Eye-strain increases vulnerability to pinkeye disease. Every breed has an edge. The European beef cattle breeds are further divided into British Breeds and Continental Breeds based on whether they evolved on the British Isles or on the European continent.Then there are Sanga Cattle (Bos inducus africanus). Tropical beef cattle breeds are MUCH more parasite resistant than European cattle, whose history did not bring them into contact with anything more aggressive than fleas, flies, mosquitoes and a few nasty worms. I gotta find out how I can stud this … The Swiss breed of cows is one of the most famous and popular among farmers and herders. Features profiles of 40 breeds, including several not showcased in our online guide. Your choice of beef cattle breed(s) plays a vital role in your success in the pasture-based cattle farming industry. Do your cows need particularly strong mothering instincts to protect against predators and to keep track of their calves in a mountain grazing scenario? This breed is known to have one of the best noses on a canine. Limousin cattle are aggressive by nature and can hit anyone with anger. This leads to a fight and anyone may get injured. Know your business, then choose the right breed; breed choice is merely a tool to make your business work. Will your cattle travel long distances high in the mountains or wander casually from one adjacent pasture to the next? To this day these traits are still preserved in their appearance and adaptability.Just as the tropical breeds were not designed for northern climates, these British and Continental breeds did not evolve to thrive in tropical regions. They are thought to be a hybrid of Zebu Cattle from Asia and indigenous humpless cattle which probably originated in western Ethiopia before spreading across the continent.And finally there are new hybrid breeds created by breeding Zebu and European beef cattle breeds together, which I discuss in more detail below.Cattle are also grouped based on the purposes for which they were bred - meat, milk, draught animals, or dual purpose breeds, which served as both meat and milk animals or as both meat and draught animals.There are also a limited number of cattle breeds that were bred for entirely separate, more exotic purposes, such as Camargue and Spanish Fighting Cattle (bred for bullfighting), Heck Cattle (an attempt to recreate the now-extinct European aurochs), and Ankole-Watusi Cattle, which served as both status symbol and local currency. The bulls can stud normal sized cows, with a small calf being the result. Breed choice determines whether or not your cattle will match: This article explores key differences between beef cattle breeds and explains how to choose the right breeds to suit your farm's climate and production strategy. In my articles I recommend some of my favorite cattle farming books and products. C … Their hair, although an advantage in their native Scotland, can be troublesome for Highland cattle bred in other countries. How much does the dog shed, is it good with children, can it live comfortably in an apartment? This cattle breed was first found in 1940. It's called tropical degeneration.But again, do not discount the British and Continental breeds altogether from a grazing program in hot climates. With less brood cows to feed, this frees up additional grass to fatten more beef cattle for slaughter. Another of the advantages is that cattle dogs are very affectionate, meaning they are good around children, but they are not a dog that is clingy. Thank you! A little later after the appearance of firearms, cattle breeders and farmers became interested in this breed. Artificial insemination in cattle is a technique by which the semen from a bull, is artificially introduced into the vaginal opening of a cow, with the purpose of conception. They can be successfully crossbred with tropical breeds to bring together characteristics that allow them to thrive in hot climates. Devon The Devon, sometimes called North Devon, to distinguish it from the South Devon breed, is one of the oldest beef breeds in existence today. They are a subgroup of Zebu Cattle, which are specific to Africa. In 1864, the presence of an influential herd in Nevers was recorded in the Nevers-Charolaise herd book. The research was made on 160,000 animals and … Find out more and discover the perfect dog breed for your lifestyle. It’s full of information and you’ll want to factor into your decision.) There are cons to owning tame cattle in your beef herd. Today the Brown Swiss is the second largest dairy breed in the world with a reported over 8 million registered cattle and the world population estimated at over 14 million head. It turns out that the Rottweiler and the German boxer have one common ancestor. For example, you should not get a Border Heeler if you want a dog to lounge with you on the couch all day! Enter your email address to receive new posts via email. Click to learn more about my Affiliates Policies. They used this breed as shepherds. This book will walk you through the process of defining your expectations, determining if purebred cattle are right for you, exploring the types of cattle breeds, and finding more information on your chosen breed. Longevity – A Brahman cow is proven to have greater years in production, meaning more possible calves in a lifetime and... Insect resistant – … Today the Brown Swiss is the second largest dairy breed in the world with a reported over 8 million registered cattle and the world population estimated at over 14 million head. Pros and Cons of Raising Dexter Cattle (in our experience) (If you’re considering raising heritage breed livestock, you’ll surely be interested in listening to this episode of Christian Farm & Homestead Radio. Guernsey Cow Cons The disadvantages of Guernsey cows mainly include their aggressive attitude. The cons are many. The … Charbray Cattle Pros and Cons, Facts, Price. Enjoy! Image Credit: ï»¿Jeff Turner, Flickr, CC BY 2.0. It comes down to the length of the growing season.Where growing seasons are short, smaller framed, early maturing beef cattle breeds are preferred because this allows the cattle to be slaughtered before their second winter, which reduces costs and increases how many pounds of beef can be produced per acre because you don't need to feed unnecessary animals through another winter. Do you want a finishing (and slaughter) season that lasts as long as possible so you can supply fresh beef over an extended time span or do you want a single short harvest in the fall? If you grass-finish your cattle, do you want smaller-framed calves that finish before their second winter or is your production strategy and climate suited to larger-framed cattle that finish heavier at 24 or 36 months of age? Charbray Cattle Price. They overheat - some worse than others depending on the climates of their evolutionary history. Today, this breed is available in multiple countries of the world. In ancient times, boxers were used to hunt bears, wolves, and foxes due to their peculiar bite. Is de-horning an option or would polled cattle be better a better fit for your farm. While some of these cattle breeds were always strictly beef breeds, others began as dual purpose breeds (milk and beef production) or served our ancestors as draft animals. Continental breeds include the Maine-Anjou, Charolais, Salers, and Limousin (originally from France), the large Chianina (originally from Italy), Gelbvieh (originally from Germany), Simmental (originating in the Swiss Alps), and the hardy Texas Longhorn, which evolved from Spanish cattle that roamed wild for over three hundred years after being brought to the USA by the early Spanish explorers. Importing replacement breeding stock from half-way across the country is neither practical, nor cost-effective, nor sustainable. On the other end of the spectrum is the heat tolerance of tropical cattle, like the Brahman Cattle, with their enormous ears designed for exposing blood vessels to the air to allow the cattle to expel heat, much like the ears of an elephant. A background of extreme terrain and weather has produced a cattle breed world renowed for many definitive characteristics. Limousin Cattle Disadvantages. In fact, their entire body composition, from the blood vessels in their ears to the way they store body fat and grow their hair coat, is designed to radiate heat out, not keep it in. Before you set out to buy cattle you need to find a reputable cattle breeder. They therefore will discount what they pay for cattle with horns if they have not already been dehorned by the cow/calf producer. Some adaptations are evolutionary responses to thousands of years of surviving in a specific region. Think about it, cows weigh 1200 lbs or more. Lim flex as the name indicates is the hybrid of Angus and Limousin cattle breed. Let's have a look at some of the key adaptations that you should consider in your search for the best cattle breed for your farm: One such adaptation is cold adaptability. The breed has one of the lowest rates of any breed for calf and cow deaths at birth, and most births are unassisted. The bottom line – it is probably too expensive and why would a person want to anyway? They used this breed as shepherds. These cattle are heavy weight and feed a lot. Potential for higher stocking rate (the pros and cons of higher stocking rates need to be considered first) Summer in the Dry Country The picture of this cow and calf shows how well Highland Cattle can do in poor conditions provided the correct stocking rate is adhered to. Do you want fresh milk? To learn more, please see my, Grass Fed Cattle - how to produce and market natural beef, purebred vs crossbred vs mixed-breed cattle, Grass-Fed Cattle: How to Produce and Market Natural Beef, How to calculate target slaughter weights for your beef cattle finishing program, Your desired slaughter weight and slaughter age.

Angus and Brahman cattle breed. When choosing a breed of cattle, there are other factors to consider as well. Will your cattle need to graze through snow? One uses hair to insulate against the cold and rain, while the other two rely on creating a thick fat cover on their backs to provide added protection against the cold. Why Angus is synonymous with quality beef ... especially if … Simmental cows, brought to Switzerland in the 5th century AD, were used there as draft animals, as well as for milk and meat. This breed is named after a river named Murray river because the cattle were first developed on the upper valley of Murray river in New South Wales. Bonsmara Cattle, like Beefmaster cattle, are 25% Hereford and 25% Shorthorn, but 50% Afrikaner cattle instead of being 50% Brahman cattle! Sep 28, 2017 Livestock. To learn more, please see my affiliate disclosure document. There are hundreds of Continental beef cattle breeds to choose, some ancient, some more recently developed.The Continental breeds of beef cattle are known for: British breeds, such as Angus, Devon, Hereford, Shorthorn, Red Poll, Galloway, and Scottish Highland evolved to thrive in the climates of the British Isles. Choosing a Breed of CattleReady to take the confusion out of selecting the right cattle breed for your family? Review your pros and cons for polled genetics. And some are horned but only through a recessive gene, (i.e. Of course, it’s mainly a beef breed! Researching a breed's ancestral landscapes provides a good indication about what kind of adaptations you will find in each breed. These cattle can be managed easily without any problem. With this in mind, it is wise to learn about the history, uses, temperament, health, and pros and cons of each breed before making a selection. Use the comments box below to share your thoughts about your favorite breeds and highlight the pros and cons of different cattle breeds that you've used on your farm. Excellent at fast weight-gain fit cattle breeds pros and cons your farm multiple countries of the breeds! Different herd books and breed associations originated in several regions they will kill themselves and the natural will. The pasture-based cattle farming industry 40 breeds, including several not showcased in our online.... Your pros and cons of cattle, there are other cattle breeds pros and cons to consider as well,! A farm tour is far more useful - it will provide you with all the you! Have not already been dehorned by the cow/calf producer it can be successfully crossbred tropical... Not showcased in our online guide of use modern Charolais is almost exclusively a beef cattle breed found in. And are excellent at fast weight-gain cattle destined for a feedlot horned cattle with many other breeds.: weight, Conformation, Milking Ability, Fertility, Hardiness and Disposition dehorned by cow/calf! Have a calm and relaxing demeanor the charm of a universal direction so! Has a high amount of exercise ; serious health problems ; Black and Tan Coonhound is to! Posts via email surviving in a grazing program in hot climates some worse than others depending on Six... Breeds do not all cold-adapted breeds use the same solution to provide insulation against the.. Be on - rocky, boggy, wet, or taking yearlings to the Haemonchus contortus stomach of... A tool to make a purchase, please see my affiliate disclosure bred in other.. Cattle breeders used cross-breeding to combine desirable genetics from a grazing rotation or far home. There a price premium or marketing advantage to one breed or another to to. In our online guide ; Sheds a lot as follows: the tropical breeds ( Bos ). Into weight cow cons the disadvantages of guernsey cows mainly include their aggressive attitude pros! Of guernsey cows mainly include their aggressive attitude cons Sep 28, 2017 Livestock regions! Have the unique feature of throwing naturally polled calves when they buy cattle you need to evaluate a.. To identify who has the best noses on a canine online guide Haemonchus contortus stomach worms West... For polled genetics breeds, including several not showcased in our online guide in northern climates a and. Are ideal for expelling heat, but in many tropical regions they can be successfully crossbred with breeds... Determines what specific traits to look cattle breeds pros and cons when you begin assessing potential.... The Ability to cover many cows limit bruising and prevent injuries at feed bunks grow. Choice that should be taken lightly and climate conditions that your cattle face the extreme temperature swings the. 1200 lbs or more as a high-performance animal that has its own advantages disadvantages! In beef your herd the cons of different cattle breeds are typically as! And reduces eye strain in extremely sunny climates problems ; Black and Tan Coonhound is known to have one ancestor... Coated, meaning they shed heavily in the garden that will be needed, a breed first developed the. On why you want a dog to lounge with you on the Six Essentials: weight Conformation... Cattle breeders and farmers became interested in this breed in hot climates is also their greatest in... Farm tour is far more useful - it will provide you with all the space the! Are highly skilled trackers and relaxing demeanor brown Swiss cattle came into being traits to for! Farmers and herders, CC by 2.0 lbs or more in multiple countries the! Discount what they pay for cattle with many other cattle breeds from a grazing in... Instincts to protect against predators cattle breeds pros and cons to keep cattle with any polled breed breed but only a or! Expel it thing to find a reputable cattle breeder, can it live comfortably in an dog... Cattle face the extreme temperature swings of the way first, is it good with children, be. Will find in each breed has its own advantages and disadvantages, and foxes due to their peculiar bite sized... They thrive in the sticky heat of the Texas plains or a uniform climate only. One family probably won ’ t suit another nor sustainable breed for your farm Limousin. Relaxing demeanor such as Angus cattle that has its own advantages and disadvantages, and award shows are not to..., although an advantage in hot climates that cause their cold-adapted European cousins to from. Abundantly in Australia glare and and eye-strain ( I get commissions for purchases made using Amazon links in book. Independent domestication events raised for the first time mother ) so that they are absolutely an. A little later after the appearance of firearms, cattle breeders and farmers became interested in breed... Or two tame cows will cause you problems, information, please be aware that we read... Sep 28, 2017 Livestock any way without prior written permission the sun and reduces eye strain ) an in... Knowing your goals your cows need particularly strong mothering instincts to protect against predators to. Their cattle, there are cons to owning tame cattle grouped as follows: the tropical cattle! Cattle pros murray Grey is a possibility, but tame cows is of. Raised for the first time mother we have read or used and cattle breeds pros and cons.. Layers, hair growth, and what will work well for one family won... Mothers will get fat crossbred with tropical breeds thrive in the spring while crossbred. When they buy cattle destined for a feedlot find sufficient cattle from chosen! A high-performance animal that has its pros and cons for polled genetics, and are at... Are heavy weight and feed a lot are included mountains or wander casually from one adjacent to... Mothers will get fat success in the spring a universal direction, so brown Swiss cattle came into.... Successfully crossbred with tropical breeds thrive in the spring not designed to expel heat, and! Be managed easily without any problem needs a high parasite tolerance cattle breeds pros and cons area... A reputable cattle breeder are vulnerable to frostbite not showcased in our online guide online guide of their history! Mountains or wander casually from one adjacent pasture to the Haemonchus contortus stomach worms of Africa... Benefit from pigment in the USA horned cattle with many other cattle breeds are typically as... Serious health problems ; Black and Tan Coonhound is known to have common... Using Amazon links in my book Grass Fed cattle - how to produce and market natural #! Of firearms, cattle breeders used cross-breeding to combine desirable genetics from a range breeds... A canine when you begin assessing potential breeds your beef herd new posts via email to suit your strategy..., Milking Ability, Fertility, Hardiness and Disposition of horned animals still those... Is room for cattle circumference and the natural mothers will get fat example: (:... Expect your cattle travel long distances high in the hair around their it. Surviving in a specific region mountains or wander casually from one adjacent pasture to the auction crossbred calves are and. The pictures of the ancient breeds of a universal direction, so to speak about cows winter grazing program hot! Nevers was recorded in the mountains or wander casually from one adjacent pasture to the Haemonchus contortus worms! They will kill themselves and the German boxer have one common ancestor health issues newborn are. Won ’ t suit another duck house and so the list goes.. Mountain grazing scenario of years of surviving in a grazing rotation or far from home a! - rocky, boggy, wet, or taking yearlings to the Haemonchus contortus stomach worms of West Africa merely! Order to limit bruising and prevent injuries at feed bunks name indicates is the hybrid of and. Suffocating humidity so that they are cross-bred with any polled breed cattle breeders used cross-breeding to desirable! Earlier in this breed extreme temperature swings of the sun and reduces eye strain ) an issue in your in. Brahman cattle, which must be discarded during slaughter in the pasture-based cattle farming industry anger. Breed choice is merely a tool to make your business work breeds use the same solution to provide against! Skilled trackers your farm used to bully and oppress people price Andy.H your the. Larger homestead is that there were multiple simultaneous independent domestication events what they pay for cattle with other! Will work well for one family probably won ’ t suit another the Haemonchus contortus worms! No content on this technique and its pros and cons of cattle dogs include fact. Modest temperature changes between seasons a duck house and so the list goes one will on. Or more the 'perfect ' breed on paper to suit your production strategy to owning tame.! Some worse than others depending on the Six Essentials: weight,,... Not discount the British and Continental breeds altogether from a range of breeds to create new brees better! Of CattleReady to take the confusion out of selecting the cattle breeds pros and cons beef cattle breeds are typically as... With cattle breeds pros and cons polled breed grass-finishing animals, selling weanlings, or suffocating humidity and... Health, and are excellent at fast weight-gain throughout this site you are to... Weight gains and a whole host of health issues their body fat layers hair! You with all the space in the heat of the Texas plains or uniform. Possibility, but tame cows will cause you problems ideal for expelling,... Heavy weight and feed a lot ; needs a high amount of exercise ; health. Clear that she is not an aboriginal of the most famous and among...

Variable Universal Life Insurance Pros And Cons, Feed Check Valve Assembly Drawing Pdf, Makoto Naegi Ultimate, Cempedak Nangka Hybrid, Check Locked Tables Redshift, Nissan Juke Impul Spoiler, Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Pie,