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More than 1,000 breeds of cattle exist, believe it or not. They exist worldwide, with some cattle bred by humans for specialized use. Farmers typically rely on a much smaller collection of breeds at about 75 different types of cattle in the North American livestock industry. Even at that, though, 75 is still a big number. For a new farmer, trying to answer the question of which breed is best for them to raise doesn’t have a clear answer.
Here are the thirteen most popular types of cattle breeds and their features:
Type #1: Angus Cattle
Angus is known for weighing a lot and producing great-quality milk. A standard Angus cattle will weigh about 1,800 lbs. Even a smaller Angus still tops out at 1,200 lbs. That’s a lot of meat. The disadvantages to Angus are that they can be temperamental and aren’t the best cattle at handling strong heat in the summer.
Type #2: Gelbvieh Cattle
Gelbvieh cattle are a European breed imported to the United States some time ago due to their ease of care and fast growth. At birth, calves wean off heavily and gain size rapidly.
Gelbvieh cattle are known for being maternal and quiet. They have the earliest puberty of the common beef breeds. Taking care these types of cattle is relatively easy, as long as you provide them with sufficient food and water. Many farmers use cattle waterers to keep the animals hydrated.
Type #3: Red Angus Cattle
The prior Angus is known more specifically as an Aberdeen Angus, but the Red Angus is an entirely different breed. Red Angus is docile and friendly, makes for great mothers, and is extremely heat tolerant. Red Angus is a gorgeous pick for farmers in the southern United States.
Type #4: Jersey Cattle
Jersey cattle are usually preferred if you have a small farm and are looking for a good-quality dairy cow. They’re on the smaller side at roughly 900 lbs. but fed a certain way, and a Jersey’s weight can easily shoot up to 1,700 lbs. Jerseys are a great investment for any farmer just starting with cattle, and their aim is strictly for milk production.
Type #5: Shorthorn Cattle
Shorthorn is one of the more specialty breeds in North America. Their history dates back to the 1700s, originally known as Durham cattle. They were popular then for their ability to provide meat and milk efficiently, and today are known for the same as well as for being sturdy and for their historical significance.
Type #6: Dexter Cattle
Dexter cattle were originally bred in Ireland and brought to the US in the early twentieth century. They’re known for their small size, love of warm climates, and high fertility rates. For small farms, Dexter is perfect. Weighing in at only 1,000 pounds, they also require less food which is advantageous if you’re still building or establishing your operations.
Type #7: Ayrshire Cattle
Ayrshire offers top-quality milk and delicious meat. They’re one of the largest cattle breeds, growing individually as large as 900-1,300 pounds. While that means a lot of feed is required for Ayrshire cattle, it’s a huge return if you want milk and meat from your cattle breed.
Type #8: Piedmontese Cattle
Piedmontese cows have not been in North America for long. They only arrived here in the late 1970s. Piedmontese cattle are known for carrying a lot of muscle mass while being gentle and non-violent. Their hardiness makes it easy for them to withstand weather and climate changes.
Type #9: Limousin Cattle
Limousin is a French cattle breed popular in many US states like Texas, South Dakota, and Oklahoma. It is a fairly standard type of cattle but can be considered as safe an investment as any for a farmer. Limousin cattle are recognized for having particularly delicious meat and milk production.
Type #10: Charolais Cattle
Other French cattle breed common in North America is Charolais. High-quality meat and milk. They come large and sturdy, perfect for pulling wagons and drafting. Charolais are most often used for grazing, and though they can be taken down by warm weather, their thick skin makes them very tolerant in the cold and can resist some of the colder temperatures of the continent.
Type #11: Texas Longhorn Cattle
Texas Longhorn cattle are among the most popular breeds in the United States. Defined by horns up to 2.4 meters wide, no other breed looks like Texas Longhorns. This breed was brought to North America by Christopher Columbus himself and has become one of the definitive American cows. They’re big beasts and can be a little fussy if mistreated or unhappy.
Type #12: Belted Galloway Cattle
Also referred to as ‘Oreo battle’ because of their black-white-black colours, Belted Galloway is from Scotland. They made their way to North America in the early 1950s and are a more ornamental breed. That said, they do produce lean, high-quality beef as well. Belted Galloway is medium-sized and is known for their double coat of hair, keeping them warm in winter.
Type #13: Brahman Cattle
Brahman are a trendy breed of cattle right now, known to resist pests, parasites, and certain diseases that other cattle may be prone to. Brahman are highly adaptable, originally from India. They’re easily identifiable by the hump over the shoulder and neck and their upward-aimed horns.
