Cattle Breeds and Farm Management Practices

British Breeds

Belted Galloway

The Belted Galloway is recognized for its unique white belt encircling a black, dun, or red coat. These cattle are adept at transforming rugged landscapes into lean meat and require minimal shelter thanks to their thick double coat. Belted Galloways boast a lengthy lifespan, produce milk high in butterfat, and are excellent for crossbreeding with breeds such as Whitebred Shorthorns and Continental sires.

Polled Hereford

Polled Herefords evolved from the horned Hereford breed, established in the mid-18th century by farmers in Hereford County, England. Occasionally, a calf without horns would be born among the horned Herefords. This spontaneous change, known as a “mutation,” led to these cattle being called “polled,” meaning naturally hornless.

Aberdeen Angus

Aberdeen Angus cattle are naturally polled and typically black, though they can be red with occasional white markings on the udder. They adapt well to harsh environments, mature early, and yield high-quality, marbled beef. Angus females are prized for their calving ease and calf-rearing abilities. Their dominant polled gene also makes them valuable for genetic dehorning in crossbreeding programs.

Shorthorn

Beef Shorthorns exhibit red, white, or roan coloration, with red cattle showing variations in markings and horn presence. Primarily raised for beef, solid red Shorthorns are often used to maintain color consistency in crossbreeds. White and roan varieties can produce blue or black offspring when crossed with black cattle.

Continental Breeds

Charolais

The Charolais breed is typically white with a pink muzzle and pale hooves, horned, long-bodied, and known for being good milkers, though some coarseness is not uncommon. Today, there are also black and red Charolais cattle being bred.

Limousin

The Limousin breed features a rich gold color with lighter rings around the eyes and muzzle, and lighter shading on the legs. Their skin lacks pigmentation. They have a small, short head with a broad forehead and a short neck. Horns are yellow at the base, darkening towards the tips, initially horizontal, then curving forward and upward.

Simmental

Simmental cattle range from gold to red with white variations, often with pigmentation around the eyes. American Simmentals are predominantly black or red, while lighter colors are referred to as Fleckvieh. They can be horned or polled, with upturned horns and heavy dewlaps. Simmentals are large-framed and well-muscled, with cows measuring around 135-150cm tall and bulls 150-160cm. Selective breeding has balanced their traits for milk and beef production, adaptability, and docility.

Normande

The Normande breed is valued for both dairy and beef production. In France, it’s celebrated for its marbling, flavor, and tenderness, frequently winning taste tests. In the US, Normande bulls perform well in growth tests, and their carcasses often top beef shows. Cull cows, steers, and calves provide additional value to breeders.

Asian Breeds

Brahman

The Brahman breed originated from cattle imported from India and is known for its ability to adapt to harsh conditions. Considered sacred by Hindus, many followers do not consume, slaughter, or sell them. Importing them to the United States has been difficult due to quarantine regulations.

Nelore

The Nelore breed’s primary advantage is its hardiness. Calves are alert and active, standing and suckling soon after birth without constant human intervention. Nelore cattle possess notable physical strength and excel in harsh tropical climates, nutritional, and sanitary conditions.

Diseases and Activities

Branding

Branding involves placing permanent identifying marks on an animal’s hide by destroying hair follicles, thus altering hair regrowth.

Ear Tagging

A unique ear tag provides permanent and visible identification, helping to establish ownership of an animal. It also offers easily visible evidence of the animal’s age to aid in management.

Castration

Castration is the removal of a male animal’s testicles, either immediately through surgery or delayed using methods like an Elastrator® ring or Burdizzo® emasculator. Castration reduces aggression, makes animals easier and safer to handle, minimizes fighting and injuries, simplifies paddock management, and allows better control over selective breeding for genetic improvement.

Foot Rot

Foot rot is a common contagious disease in sheep, causing severe lameness and significant production losses, including reduced body weight and growth, decreased wool production, and restrictions on marketing opportunities.

Causes

• It is caused by two bacteria: Bacteroides nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum.
• F. necrophorum normally lives in the digestive tract of ruminants, the soil, and manure.
• Dichelobacter nodosus