E-190 03-08

Texas Adapted Genetic Strategies for Beef Cattle V: Type and Breed Characteristics and Uses

he subject of breeds intrigues most beef cattle producers. However, breeds are only part of a genetic strategy that shouldT include:  Matching applicable performance or functional levels to environmental, management, and marketing conditions  Choosing a breeding system, either continuous (in which replacement females are produced within the herd) or terminal (in which replacements are introduced externally)  Selecting genetic types, breeds within types, and individuals within breeds that are compatible with the performance level needed and breeding A 1700s painting of the foundation cow of one of the first cattle breeds. Courtesy of Michigan system chosen. State University Animal Science Department. Genetic classifications and breeds Cattle can be divided into two basic classifications, Bos taurus (non-humped) and Bos indicus (humped, also called Zebu). Cattle are not native to the western hemisphere. The Bos taurus in the United States originated in the British Isles and western Stephen P. Hammack continental Europe. The Bos indicus arose in south central Asia. Professor and Extension Beef Cattle There are some intermediates containing both Bos taurus and Specialist–Emeritus Bos indicus. Some intermediates created in the United States, The Texas A&M University System. particularly in Texas, are commonly referred to as American breeds, which will be discussed later. Although it has no strict definition, a breed can be described as animals of common origin with certain distinguishing characteristics that are passed from parent An important inconsistency occurs in Bos to offspring. Breed characteristics result indicus in body size relationships. Calves from both natural selection and from that from dams containing Bos indicus inheri- imposed by people. tance are relatively small at birth, usually Currently, more than 75 breeds can be resulting in few difficulties in calving. registered in the United States. For a discus- However, calves by Bos indicus sires out of sion of breed development, see another Bos taurus dams often are relatively large, so publication in this series, E-180, Texas Adapt- calving may be more difficult. ed Genetic Strategies for Beef Cattle—VI: Milking potential Creating Breeds and Composites. Milking potential is the genetic capability Most breeds have registry associations to produce milk. This is not the actual that record ancestry, define and document volume of milk produced, which also is characteristics, and promote the breed. In influenced by the cow’s nutrition and the this publication, estimates of functional calf’s growth potential and nursing pres- traits or characteristics are based on esti- sure. mates of breed averages, but individuals To characterize milking potential accu- can vary considerably within breeds. rately, it should be evaluated relative to body size. Higher-milking females need Functional traits more nutrients for body maintenance and or characteristics require higher-quality diets, even when not The major functional traits important in lactating. Again, consult E-188, Texas Adapted Texas beef production include body size, Genetic Strategies for Beef Cattle—III: Body Size milking potential, age at puberty, hot and Milking Level. climate adaptability, fleshing ability, muscle Age at puberty expression, cutability, and marbling. Age at puberty relates to body size, Body size milking potential, and genetic classification. Body size is best evaluated as weight at a Smaller cows and higher milking types stated level of condition or body fatness. usually mature earlier, whereas Bos indicus Although there are exceptions, weight at all mature relatively late. Although higher ages tends to be positively related—cattle milking females, even large ones, often heavier at birth tend to be heavier through- reach puberty and conceive when relatively out life. Genetically larger animals usually young, subsequent fertility can suffer gain weight faster, and weight and nutri- because they may become thin after begin- tional requirements for body maintenance ning lactation. While Bos indicus types reach are closely related. puberty relatively late, their productive life is usually longer. Size is discussed in Extension publication E-188, Texas Adapted Genetic Strategies for Beef Hot climate/tropical adaptability Cattle—III: Body Size and Milking Level. Frame Adaptability to hot climates is highest in score, an objective measure of skeletal cattle with Bos indicus inheritance, but some dimension used to estimate current and Bos taurus are reasonably heat tolerant. future body size, is discussed in Extension Animals with lighter colored, short hair publication E-192, Texas Adapted Genetic coats and dark skin are best adapted. Strategies for Beef Cattle—X: Frame Score and High humidity intensifies the effects of Weight. heat, especially because hot, humid climates

2 often add the stresses of parasites and Grade, an indicator of the palatability low-quality forage. Heat with humidity factors of tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. stresses cattle that fail to shed long, thick Marbling increases with age up to physi- hair coats, particularly dark-colored ones. ological maturity and generally is higher in As might be expected, animals tolerant to earlier maturing and higher milking types. hot climates are less adapted to cold. Feeding high-energy rations starting early Fleshing ability in life for extended periods generally in- Fleshing ability is the body’s capacity to creases marbling. fatten and retain fat. Fleshing ability tends Bos indicus and most heavy-muscled, to drop with increases in genetic body size, low-milking types have relatively low maintenance requirements relative to size, marbling. Because marbling relates some- milking level, and inherent muscularity. what to body fatness, especially in compar- Animals poorly adapted to their environ- ing breeds or types, there is usually a ment generally are low in fleshing ability. trade-off between Yield Grade and Quality Bos indicus often flesh more easily than Grade. As one improves, the other tends to other types on low-quality forage and decline. For a discussion of carcass genetic roughage. Easy-fleshing cattle tolerate considerations, see E-165, Texas Adapted periods of nutritional energy deficiency Genetic Strategies for Beef Cattle—IX: Selection more easily and, therefore, may reproduce for Carcass Merit. more consistently, but they also over fatten An important consideration in determin- more readily in the feedyard unless prop- ing optimum functional levels is that types erly managed. of cattle may differ in relative performance Muscle expression under varying conditions. For a discussion Muscle expression is inherent muscular- of this topic, see E-187, Texas Adapted Genetic ity, independent of other body tissues. Strategies for Beef Cattle—II: Genetic-Environ- Muscling is the second most important mental Interaction. factor in cutability. Heavy-muscled types Breeds and functional types often are low in fleshing ability, so repro- ductive efficiency may be reduced. Table 1 lists the characteristics of the major breeds of cattle in Texas—those most Cutability numerous or most familiar in the state—by Cutability, or the percentage of lean, is estimates of purebred breed-wide averages. usually evaluated in beef carcasses as USDA Cattle of multi-breed backgrounds can be Yield Grade. Cutability depends on relative estimated from the proportions of the amounts of fat (which varies greatly), mus- constituent purebreds. Appendix A lists cle, and bone (which varies least). other breeds with registry associations. When genetic types or breeds are com- Using genetic classification and levels of pared for differences in cutability, it is functional traits, breeds can be grouped into assumed that the breeds have similar the following functional types: nutrition levels. But inherent cutability  differences can be readily altered by vary-  British Beef—British-originated ing nutrition to achieve similar degrees of breeds and combinations among fatness. those breeds used for beef production only. Marbling  Marbling, or intramuscular fat, is the  Continental Beef—Continental primary factor determining USDA Quality European breeds and derivatives

3 Table 1. Functional Levels of Purebreds of the Major Cattle Breeds in Texas1 Functional Type Growth Milking Age at Hot climate Fleshing Muscling Cutability4 Marbling4 Breed and Size2 Potential3 Puberty Adaptability Ability British Beef Angus H M E L H M L H Hereford5 H L M L H M L M Red Angus H M E L H M L H Shorthorn H M E L H M L H Continental Beef Charolais VH L L L M VH VH L Chianina VH VL L M L H VH L Limousin H VL L L M VH VH VL Continental Dual Purpose Braunvieh H H E M M H H M Gelbvieh H H E L M H H L Maine-Anjou H M M L M H H L Salers H M M L M H H L Simmental VH H M L M H H L Dairy Holstein VH EH E L L L H M Jersey VL VH VE M M VL VL VH Bo s indicus

Br a h m a n H H VL VH H M M L American Beefmaster H M M H H M M L Braford M M M H H M M L Brangus H M M H H M M M Red Brangus M M M H H M M M Santa Gertrudis H M M H H M M L Simbrah H H M H M M M L Specialty Texas Longhorn VL L M M M L M L 1Breeds most numerous or familiar in Texas. Evaluations are estimates of purebred breed-wide averages compiled from research reports, particularly U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. See text for explanation of productive functions, characterized above as VL=very low, L=low, M=medium, H=high, VH=very high, EH=extremely high, except for age at puberty where VE= very early, E= early, M= medium, L= late, VL= very late. Range exists within these categories, so breeds with the same designation do not necessarily average exactly the same level. Also, considerable individual variation exists within breeds. Levels for cattle of multi-breed background can be estimated from proportions of the constituent breeds. 2Rate of gain and mature weight at similar body condition. 3In relation to body size. 4Under similar nutrition. See text for explanation. 5Horned and polled.

4 developed exclusively for beef Matching functional levels production. These are part of to production criteria what are sometimes called “exotics.” Climate and nutrition are key variables  Continental Dual Purpose— affecting the locations where differing types Breeds selected for both beef and and breeds can be produced. Production dairy production in their native suffers when cattle are not adapted to areas, mostly Continental climatic conditions. In hot, humid climates, Europe, and combinations of cattle benefit from some Bos indicus or other beef and dairy breeds. Dual tropical-adapted genetics. Purpose breeds are used only for Table 2 shows the effects of nutrition on beef in the United States. They optimum levels of three primary production are the other part of “exotics.” functions in cow herds. In general, as nutrition declines, the smaller, lower-milk-  Dairy—Originating in western ing, easier-fleshing types are better adapted Continental Europe or the British and more efficient. This is discussed in Isles and selected in the United detail in E-188, Texas Adapted Genetic Strate- States for dairy purposes only, gies for Beef Cattle—III: Body Size and Milking with beef production occurring Level. secondarily. Appropriate functional levels can differ,  Bos indicus—Of pure or very depending on the breeding system imple- high percentage Bos indicus mented. Cattle for general-purpose, continu- background and used only for ous systems must contain a blend of impor- beef production. tant production traits in both sires and  American—Includes beef breeds dams. created in the United States from Conversely, specialized sire and dam combinations of about one-fourth types are useful in terminal systems. To to one-half tropical-adapted reduce cow herd nutritional needs or in- inheritance, typically the Bos crease cow stocking rate, terminal dams can indicus-derived Brahman, with be relatively small, complemented by the remainder usually consisting high-growth sires. Maternal ability is of British Beef breed(s), although unimportant in terminal sires because their Continental Beef or Continental heifers are not kept for replacements. Dual Purpose may also be found. Table 2. Matching Cowherd Functional Levels to Nutrition  Specialty—Includes breeds that cannot be placed logically in any Nutritional Mature Milking Fleshing Availability1 Size Potential Ability of these groups, often Low to Low to characterized by particular Low High emphasis on certain traits. Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium to High Medium Medium High Medium to High to High 1Quantity, quality, and consistency of nutrition whether from grazing, harvested forage, or supplemental concentrates.

5 For more discussion on breeding systems, type with other large types. Breeds in this see Extension publication E-189, Texas group vary considerably in adaptability to Adapted Genetic Strategies for Beef Cattle—IV: hot climates. Breeding Systems. Continental Dual Purpose Using functional types As with Continental Beef, these are best used as terminal sires. Maternal use is There is no “best” type or breed for beef appropriate, when nutrition is adequate, for production because of extensive variations the major breeds of this type to create in climates, production conditions, and females that are larger, more muscular, market requirements. Characteristics of leaner, and heavier milking. Use the same functional types should be matched to these cautions as with the Continental Beef group three factors. Also, breeds extreme in in birth weight, straightbreeding, and specific functional traits usually should be crossing with other large types. combined with complementing types in a Because some of the lesser-known breeds synergistic crossbreeding plan. in this group are smaller than the major The various functional types have these breeds in the group, they are more appli- general uses: cable for general-purpose use than as British Beef terminal sires. British beef are widely applicable, with Dairy some limits in tropical and subtropical For beef production, dairy types are used climates. Unlike most types, British Beef primarily to create early-maturing, high- breeds can be logically straightbred for com- milking females without increasing muscle. mercial production. Dairy influence, particularly the smaller To take advantage of hybrid vigor, cross breeds, also should maintain or possibly them with other breeds of this type and increase fertility if body condition is main- with all other types. British breeds are tained. suitable for general-purpose production as However, it often is difficult to keep dairy well as both the dam side and sire side of a breeds and crosses in good flesh on typical terminal cross, depending on the target rangeland or coarse pasture. Price discounts market. These breeds are the foundation of are common for stocker, feeder, and slaugh- the U.S. beef herd and the basis of compari- ter animals of visible dairy breeding. son for other types in this discussion. Bos indicus Continental Beef The Bos indicus group is used primarily Because of weight-gaining ability and to create hot-climate-adapted crossbred cutability, Continental Beef are most effec- females with the highest levels of hybrid tive as terminal sires, especially on smaller vigor and calving ease. Generally, these cows, particularly those with higher-mar- females are best used in terminal crossing bling genetics. However, caution is war- systems. Do not straightbreed or cross these ranted because the use of sires of these breeds with other cattle containing Bos breeds may result in heavy birth weights indicus unless there is no other logical choice and associated calving problems. due to persistently hot and humid climatic If needed, Continental Beef influence conditions. increases size, muscling, and leanness in American females without elevating milk production. American breeds are widely applicable, In general, do not straightbreed or cross this especially for, but not limited to, hot cli-

6 mates. They can be straightbred, crossed creating specific production levels, it is with other American breeds, or crossed usually more effective to begin by exploit- with all other types except purebred or ing breed averages of applicable functional high-percentage Bos indicus. American types than by searching for genetic outliers breeds can be used effectively in either in other breeds. general-purpose production or in terminal A fundamental challenge in commercial systems. The larger, faster-gaining breeds beef production is to match genetic capabil- often are a logical choice for terminal sires ity with climatic, nutritional, management, used in natural service in hot climates. and market conditions. Knowing functional Specialty levels of types and breeds can help produc- Specialty breeds should be used where ers optimize animal performance to achieve their particular combinations of unusual the highest profit. traits are needed. For further reading Summary To obtain other publications in this Texas Sire choice is greatly influenced by types Adapted Genetics Strategies for Beef Cattle represented in a cow herd. This subject is series, contact your county Texas AgriLife discussed in Extension publication E-191, Extension Service office or see the Extension Texas Adapted Genetic Strategies for Beef Web site at http://AgriLifeBookstore.org and Cattle—VII: Sire Types for Commercial Herds. the Texas A&M Animal Science Extension There is much genetic variation within Web site http://animalscience.tamu.edu. functional types and breeds. However, in

Appendix A. Additional Cattle Breeds with Registry Associations

British Beef Continental Beef Dual Purpose Dairy Bos indicus American Speciality

Belted Galloway Belgian Blue Amerifax Ayrshire Boran American Breed Ankole Watusi British White Blonde d’Aquitaine Beef Friesian Brown Swiss Gir Barzona Beefalo BueLingo Marchigiana Dutch Belted Guernsey Indu-Brazil Brahmousin Corriente Devon Parthenais Milking Devon Milking Nellore Bralers Dexter Piedmontese Normande Shorthorn Zebu Braunbray Geltex Galloway Romagnola Norwegian Red Charbray Salorn Highland Pinzgauer Gelbray Senepol Murray Grey RX3 Santa Cruz Texon Red Poll South Devon Tuli Welsh Black Tarentaise Wagyu White Park

Produced by AgriLife Communications and Marketing, The Texas A&M University System Extension publications can be found on the Web at: http://AgriLifebookstore.org. Visit Texas AgriLife Extension Service at http://AgriLifeExtension.tamu.edu.

Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Edward G. Smith, Director, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System. Revision

7