Which cow should I breed?

Angus is the most popular breed in North America because it provides an excellent mix of characteristics that meets the needs of most modern cattle producers.

Why Angus?

Angus offers solid red or black coloring that crosses well with other breeds
Superb mothers with superior milking ability
Early maturity and fertility
Calving ease and vigorous live calves
No dehorning is needed with highly heritable, natural polled genes
Virtually no cancer eye or sunburned udders
Sound feet and legs
Adaptable to all weather conditions
Natural foraging traits
Superior feed conversion
Natural marbling for tasty, tender beef
Preferred carcass size and quality

The typical Ayrshire cow has a very good temperament. She exhibits unusual intelligence, is alert and quick to learn her daily routine. She is easy to milk, milks fast and is able to adapt easily to any condition or change.

Ayrshires are thriving under all kinds of climates and all types of terrains performing to the level expected of a good dairy cow.  Ayrshires are lively, rugged and easy to raises.  They have sturdy feet & legs for grazing efficiently regardless of the climate or terrain. Their hardness allows them to better withstand the stresses of disease in any climate.

Ayrshires’ are very well noted for their production efficiency and for the ease in which she transforms her food into milk. They are known to produce a lot of milk under high management conditions as well as under a more basic pasture system.

Ayrshires’ milk is not excessively rich, nor is it lacking adequate fat and it possesses quantities of desirable non-fat solids such as protein.  Ayrshire milk is just right for top flavour, nutrition and value.

Ayrshires are known for the quality of their udders. The size, shape, strong attachments and an ideal texture make for a healthy and easy to milk udder

Ayrshires are tough and possess the will to live, they are made very strong and resist well to the day to day stress imposed on them by production. It is these characteristics that enable the Ayrshires to calve easily unassisted and without any complications.

Beefalo was developed to combine the high quality meat of bison with the ease of handling of domestic cattle.  Beefalo are 37.5% bison, 62.5% bovine.  Beefalo calves are small at birth (average 60 lbs.)but grow rapidly because of the good mothering ability of the cows and the ability to better utilize forage.  Beefalo are hardy.  They do well in hot climates because they perspire and they do well in cold climates because of their dense hair coat.  Beefalo meat is low in fat, cholesterol and calories and high in protein.  It is as tender as other beef without marbled fat.  Because of less fat, there is less shrinkage when cooking it.  Beefalo cooks in 1/3 to 1/2 less time than other beef.  Fullblood Beefalo bulls can be used on domestic cattle to produce half-blood Beefalo.  The offspring can be sold as Beefalo meat.  Animals with 17% bison through 37.5% bison can be sold as Beefalo.  The American Beefalo International maintains a Registry which includes the sire, dam and bison percentage of each animal.

American Belgian Blue Cattle are a highly muscled lean beef animal. The breed standard is a large long bodied animal with a straight back and a highly muscled hindquarters.   The breed is a large animal with exceptionally good muscle structure and a calm temperament.  Their color ranges from any combination from white to black with a few carrying the red factor.  The common color is white with blue markings.  Their structure is different from most breeds carrying a great deal of muscle.  The feed conversion on these animal are excellent which in a crossbreeding program will improve the weight and quality of the carcass.  The beef is very lean also tender due to the fine muscle fiber.  According to the statists at Clay Center this beef is lower in calories and cholesterol than poultry therefore being a healthy beef.  The gestation period is 280 - 285 days.  The animals are large with bulls average 900-1,200 kg and cows averaging 700 to 850 kg. 

British Breeders imported Belgian Blues, into the UK, in the early 1980's.  They recognised their future importance to the modern commercial beef market, being fine boned, heavily muscled, docile animals, with tremendous growth potential, leading to a very high % of saleable meat.

British Breeders have selectively bred the "British Type" of Belgian Blue, with great emphasis being placed on:

• Ease of Calving
• Short Gestation Period
• Good Mobility and Structure
• Excellent Temperament

This has resulted in the breed now enjoying the distinction of being a NUMBER ONE for AI use as a terminal sire in the UK.  The experience of British dairy farmers using Belgian blues over many years for easy calving, fast finishing crossbred stock, has led beef farmers to follow their example.  Now, with ever greater use of the independent, unbiased BLUP recording data, breeders know that they can rely on a British Belgian Blue sire to produce cattle for a wide range of conditions and management systems.

While some try to attribute the superiority of F-1 Braford females to maximum hybrid vigor, there is little doubt that the blending of desirable Brahman and Hereford characteristics makes the Braford females extraordinary. Hybrid vigor is transient, that is to say it is continually diminished as you get farther away from the F-1. Braford breeders begin with top Brahman and Hereford genetics and they maintain and enhance Braford superiority with generation after generation of selection for productivity. UBB Braford females, as well as replacements out of your adapted females and sired by UBB Braford bulls, offer a sensible solution to the "breed or buy" replacement female dilemma.
 
Brafords have always been recognized for their superior maternal ability. Early puberty, fertility, calving ease, optimum milk production, maternal aptitude and productive longevity are attributes that have earned Braford females this distinguished reputation. Using Braford bulls on adapted purebred or crossbred cows allows cowmen to produce excellent replacement females with the Braford maternal edge.

Braford bulls are not terminal sires. Braford breeders have been careful to increase growth rate in their cattle while avoiding associated large increases in mature size that can reduce the ability of  Braford bulls and females to function in everyday conditions. By avoiding the "bigger is better" syndrome that has plagued the purebred cattle business for years, Braford breeders have also avoided associated problems of difficult calving and market steers that are too big to fit industry needs when finished. Braford breeders have always concentrated breeding efforts on producing moderate-sized cattle that produce optimum fed steers and female offspring that make efficient moderate-sized cows. Braford bulls have developed the reputation for being trouble-free and aggressive breeders that can be used without problems on both heifers and cows.

The American Brahman first originated in the United States in the mid 1800's.  Since this time the Brahman has played an important role in crossbreeding not only in the U.S. but around the world due to its increased environmental adaptability, disease and insect resistance and mothering ability.  One of the most important traits that the Brahman exhibits is the increased hybrid vigor which increases growth and production when used in a crossbreeding system.  The American Brahman is distinguished by its red or gray color, prominent hump, long ears and loose skin.   

The Brangus breed was not developed to fit one area or need, but as one that could do it all.  Brangus' are always black and polled and consist  of 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Angus. They are also an American breed because of their Brahman influence.  The two breeds that constitute its heritage are the ones that have more of the total advantages the producer, feeder, packer, retailer and consumer want than any other breed or combination of breeds.

Adaptable Brangus grow all the hair they need for winter country; are heat and insect resistant; thrive in desert country; out-perform the competition in friendly environments.

The Brangus heifers breed at 15 months and are in the cow herd right on calving schedule as two year olds.  The typical moderate-sized Brangus calf helps minimize calving problems and, sustained heavy milk production assures top weaning weights.

Research comparing Brangus bulls with English breed and non-brangus cows shows superior weaning weights for the Brangus calves and the superior growth weaning rate continues in the feedlot, meaning Brangus are ready for slaughter earlier and at less cost.

The characteristic longevity of the breed is very evident in the New Zealand experience with Brown Swiss. While the breed tends to be slightly later maturing than other breeds, cows tend to reach their peak in 5th or later lactation's. Some breeds find it difficult to reach this stage, while the strength of the Brown Swiss allows them to lead long productive lives. Brown Swiss cows are cattle of great substance and strength. The experience of having cows "go down" with metabolic problems or any other reason, is rare amongst Brown Swiss owners.

The Brown Swiss breed 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.

Brown Swiss milk possesses the closest protein/fat ratio of any dairy breed. this fact is particularly important in New Zealand as our milk payment system favours protein production.

Chianina (Key-a-nee-nah) is one of the oldest breeds of cattle, produced in the Chiana Valley of central Italy, home of the famous Chianti grapes and wines. They are large white cattle with a black pigmented skin. They have an unusually high lean to fat ratio, that when mated to the British breeds, reduce waste fat and guts on their progeny. Because they have so few genetic problems, wonderful meat characteristics and terrific performance, they have proven to be ideal to mate with British cows.

When the fullblood Chianina was imported from Italy to the U.S. in 1971, they were mated to every kind of cow. The ones that survived and prospered are what have become Chiangus. They are black, polled and hang a very desirable, high-cutability carcass. The females are durable, fertile, very long-lived and quite free of management problems. They have won approximately half of all the Denver Fed Beef Contests in the past decade. They also made by far the most money when compared to other breeds and crosses in the NCBA Strategic Alliance Project. In the Gelbvieh Alliance Summary, Chiangus rewarded their owners with the highest premiums per head when compared to other breeds.

Chimaine cattle are overwhelmingly the choice that win the vast majority of competitive interbreed steer and heifer shows nationwide. Their dominance in shows is positively reflected in substantial sale prices for the many small herds that breed for only the best.

The uniformity and total desirability of Chi-blended cattle is a definite plus for those who make a living growing beef for the consumer and for those who are drawn to the phenotypic attractiveness of the total package. The added flexibility of various dollar important traits and the free advantage of hybrid vigor allow breeders to adapt genetics to various needs, environments and markets. They are indeed "cutting-edge" cattle with a bright future and the consumer market "case-ready" answer to more profit, less problems and more enjoyment.

The Devon breed of cattle as we know it today has been developed over many centuries in the south western counties of Britain combining the genetical influences from a wide range of sources. It is considered by many to be the oldest recognised breed of cattle in Britain, having been mentioned in historical records as far back as the Roman times. It is also usually has been the first cattle introduced to many countries as the southern ports of Devon and Cornwall were the last ports of call for ships heading out to the colonies. It was Devon cattle that accompanied the first Pilgrims as they settled the Americas.

The modern Devon is a deep, rich red, hence it being known as the "ruby reds". It is gaining an unrivalled reputation for being docile and easy to work and for producing the finest quality meat. It's ability to efficiently use grass has meant it has become the breed of choice for many who desire meat that has not been artificially fed as in feedlots. Cooperation between major breeders in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and the U.S. means that there is now a wide range of genetics available for use using modern breeding techniques.

Droughtmaster

SIZE:

Moderate in size, light birthweights requiring little or no birthing assistance.
Ave. birthweight 75-80lbs.
Mature bulls 1,800 to 2,000 lbs.
Cows 1,000 to 1,300 lbs.
Steers 1,000 lbs. at slaughter

BREEDING

Females- Have tightly positioned udders and good milk. Galloway cows are highly
maternal and make great replacement heifers. Galloway females breed back every year, even when forage is scarce.

Cross-breeding- Galloway are valued for commercial cross-breeding. Because they’ve been purebred throughout their history and are genetically distant from other breeds, they have pre-potency and stamp their offspring with breed characteristics. Galloway cattle impart hybrid vigor to any cross. Cross-bred steers have the added length, depth and width characteristics of the Galloway. All cattle are polled.

FOOD

Galloway will forage on coarse grasses and other stuff that other cattle won’t eat. They require less food through the winter and produce high quality beef directly from grass. They are light grazers, and graze with a clipping motion instead of a ripping motion. Their feeding style encourages regrowth.

TEMPERAMENT

Galloway are generally very docile and it is rare to find even a bull furious or troublesome. However, they are very courageous if annoyed by dogs or wild animals. They have been known to work together to fight off attackers by forming a crescent and jointly attacking.

Gelbvieh is a maternal Continental breed from Germany.  Initially, Gelbvieh were selected for milk, growth and muscle.  However, since their introduction into the U.S. in 1971, the selection criteria has been for a balance of traits which include moderate birth weights, excellent weaning performance, moderate milk and moderate mature size.  Gelbvieh first gained international fame in the 1980's when the Meat Animal Research Center declared Gelbvieh to be the leader in weaning weight per cow exposed.  Gelbvieh continue to supply the beef industry with strong fertility, milk and growth traits. 

The Guernsey is a fawn and white breed of dairy cattle originating from the Isle of Guernsey in the British Channel. They are moderate in size with mature cows typically weighing 1,100 pounds. Guernseys are known for their gentle disposition and produce milk that is high in fat, protein and beta carotene, giving it a rich golden color.

Adaptability
One of the most important factors contributing to the widespread popularity of the Hereford breed has been its ability to adapt easily to the variety of management systems and diverse environmental conditions.

Fertility
Fertility (and reproduction) affects the profit potential of a cow herd more than any other trait and Herefords are renowned for their high fertility under Australian conditions.. The Hereford cow managed properly will calve when she's two of age or earlier and will continue to produce and wean a calf every 365 days, not just in the good years.

Docility
Docile cattle are easier to handle, are less stressed during marketing and produce better eating quality meat, and they don't come any quieter than Herefords.

Marketability
Breeding cattle is only half the job - marketing is the other half, and you start ahead of the pack with Herefords. Store Herefords are keenly sought by restockers, finishers and feedlotters, while they are the preferred breed with butchers. This means they are always negotiable regardless of age, weight, condition or season.

Versatility
Herefords are not locked into just one market - miss it and you're done - rather they have an inbuilt versatility that allows them to "carry on" to fit a range of market opportunities.

From the light weight domestic trade, (150kg carcase), or the supermarket trade, (220kg carcase), through to the heavy export trade, (350kg carcase), Herefords can do it and do it well.

Efficiency
Moderate mature body weight and efficient feed conversion means that you can run more Hereford cows on a given area of land than many so-called "high performance" breeds. More cows and higher fertility gives Herefords the leading edge when you compare breeds on production per hectare.

Performance
Herefords combine growth, milk and carcase traits in a package of OPTIMUM performance..

Not maximum milk that causes rebreeding problems in a poor season; not maximum muscle that causes calving problems and female infertility; not maximum growth with its late maturity that can make you overshoot the market - but an OPTIMUM blend of those traits that's profitable for every sector of the industry, that keeps the buyers coming back for more.

Holsteins have long been associated with longevity. Dairy strength, tremendous spring of rib, desirable mammary, and sound feet and legs remain assets enabling the cow to consume much forage for a long, trouble-free life. To complement longevity, Canada is working diligently toward measuring reproductive traits, daughter pregnancy rates, and low somatic cell scores.

While desirable type is taken for granted from Canadian genetics, most heifers, calving around 24 months of age, easily produce 8,500 kg milk in first lactation. As the cow matures, production yields steadily increase with each lactation. It is little wonder international breeders seek Canadian Holsteins as seed stock for herd building and future profitability.

The power of good, deep cow families has been a major driving force behind herd development and cattle breeding as a whole in Canada. Industry efforts to sustain diversity in bloodlines have been successful with ample choice and uniqueness among the top brood families in the Holstein breed.

Annually, Canadian Holstein cows lead top-producing and high-classifying animal lists in their countries of residence. And while semen and embryos from Canadian genetics remain in high demand, live animals command the highest prices at auctions, time and time again. Show achievements of Canadian Holsteins remain unrivalled by cattle from other countries.

• Feed efficiency

A higher proportion of feed intake goes to milk production rather than body maintenance

.• Ease of management

Better herd health leads to fewer vet calls, reduces herd turnover.

• Longevity

The Jersey cow enjoys a productive lifespan which is approximately 10% longer than other dairy breeds. Her correct type and resistance to many common health problems give her a distinct advantage.

• Reproductive Efficiency/Calving Ease

Jerseys mature earlier, have reduced calving intervals and very few calving problems all leading to more profit. Jerseys are number one for first service conception rate.

• Lower feed costs

Economic studies show that Jersey milk is produced with approximately 20% lower feed costs compared to larger breeds.

• Manure management

Lower manure output translates into less acres required and less time spent handling.

• Equipment requirements

Jerseys require smaller stalls and cause less wear and tear on equipment and stabling.

• Temperament

Dairy farmers who have added Jerseys to their herds, consistently report that all family members enjoy working with and handling Jerseys.

• Marketability

The Canadian Jersey is appreciate worldwide, which translates into a very active market for the Canadian cow. Their popularity domestically has led to an increase demand at home as well.

• Adaptability

Jerseys have a superior ability to forage and thrive in spite of heat and high humidity. This hardiness is proven in our harsh Canadian winters as well in the hot regions of South America where Jerseys are in great demand.

The inherent advantages of the breed allow Jerseys to be most efficient dairy animals. Whether it be savings through feed intake, increased returns from milk solids or ease of management, the Jersey is the leader when an economic value is placed on these advantages. The Jersey cow has all the right attributes to succeed, today and tomorrow.

Description
The Limousin is a rich gold colour, with lighter circles around the eye and the muzzle, and shading to a lighter colour on the legs. Limousins can also be black as a result of grading up from black cattle in Australia.

The head is small and short with a broad forehead, and the neck is short.

All French Limousins are naturally horned. In Australia polled Limousins have also been developed. Most horned Limousins are dehorned at a young age.

The Limousin is intermediate in size and maturity between British and most other European breeds.

Hardiness
Limousin cattle adapt to diverse climates and the widest range of management systems, from the top end of the Northern Territory to the highlands of Central Tasmania.

Ease of Calving
Limousin calves have low birth weights, which lead to minimum calving problems when Limousin bulls are used over cows of other breeds.

High Dressing Percentage
Limousin crossbred steers and heifers have high dressing percentages of 58 - 63 percent compared to an average of 53 - 58 percent.

High Yield
High meat to bone ratios and low fat leads to outstanding yields of saleable meat from Limousin cross carcases. Yields of up to 80% of saleable meat are not uncommon.

Tender Healthy Beef
Limousin meat is finely textured, tender and low in saturated fats and cholesterol. It is genetically trimmed.

Efficiency
Limousin cattle are efficient - they have moderate mature size and are excellent foragers walking long distances for food. They also have above average feed conversion rates.

Genetic Strength
The Limousin stamps its characteristics on other breeds when used in crossbreeding programs, especially its superior carcase characteristics.

Breeders of the cattle were mostly small farmers whose goal was to maximize income from their small area of land. For this reason, the Maine-Anjou evolved as a dual-purpose breed, with the cows used for milk production and the bull calves fed for market. It is still common on many farms to find Maine-Anjou being milked. In many herds, half the cows are milked and the other half raise two calves each.

The Maine-Anjou is one of the larger breeds developed in France, with mature bulls weighing from 2,200 to 3,100 pounds on the average. Mature cows will range from 1,500 to 1,900 pounds. The coloring is very dark red with white markings on the head, belly, and rear legs and tail. White on other parts of the body is also common.

Modern day Maine-Anjou are more solid in color pattern than their ancestors with a large percentage of registered American Maine-Anjou cattle being black in color. The Maine-Anjou breed excels in performance/feed efficiency, disposition and superb carcass traits. Dominance of feeding trials coupled with favorable returns on dollars invested have made Maine-Anjou cattle a feedlot manager's dream.

The Marchigiana originated in Italy. The Marchigiana has excelled at feed conversion, average daily gains, large rib eyes, and at producing a moderate sized carcass that is lean yet tender.

The Marchigiana is unexcelled as a producer of lean, flavorful, tender, well-marbled red meat that is extremely smooth textured. Tender, lean meat. that's the hallmark of the Marchigiana steak. It's fat infiltration is very limited, enough to raise the flavor and make cooking easier.

The smaller beef breeds such as the Kentshire, Kingshire and the Covingtonshire are ideally suited for small acreage farms.  It has been shown that beef production per acre is at least twice the production of large animals.  Because of their feed efficiency and outstanding growth rate these smaller breeds can be raised at a two per acre concentration.  Larger breeds can require up to five acres for only two animals.  This means smaller acreage farmers can maximize the potential of their limited acreage.  Besides all that, they can make great pets.

The American Murray Grey Association serves as the pedigree archive and promotional voice of the breed in the United States. The Murray Grey breed is the only breed that develops performance EPDs on a worldwide database. Twice each year, breed EPDs are calculated for those members submitting data. The Association also developed the "Certified American Murray Grey Beef" program for product identification for our members. AMGA reaches out to the industry through a web site, a quarterly newsletter and a bi-annual membership directory.

The Canadian Pinzgauer is balanced with thick muscling down the hindquarter, a deep flank and width over the top and loin. The progressive breeder focus on creating a more refined front to complement the increased muscle development has created a smaller head and less dewlap and waste skin. With leg set conducive to sloping hillsides and hard, dark hooves, Pinzgauer are perfect for Canada's widely varied range conditions. For harsh winter and wind conditions, Pinzgauer cattle have not only thick skin but a very thick hair coat. They are just as capable of thriving under hot, dry conditions as well. Their dark pigment absorbs harsh sunlight, whether coming from the sun or reflecting off snow, minimizing any impact from sunburn on the cattle.

Naturally horned, characteristic colors of the breed are chestnut brown hair and pigmented skin with varying amounts of white hair along the back, tail and barrel. Pigmented skin on the head protects eyes from ultra violet rays, thus making eye disease virtually non-existent. Smooth hair and pliable skin play an important role in adaptability, allowing this breed to thrive in hot or cold climates. Hard, dark, closed hooves and strong leg bone formation give Pinzgauers excellent ranging ability.

Pinzgauer bulls exhibit masculine characteristics early in life, and are fertile, aggressive breeders. Yearling bulls weigh from 1200 - 1400 pounds (544 - 635 kg) with scrotal circumference of 35 - 38 cm, and extensive research has proven that scrotal size is directly related to sperm production. While on feed as yearlings, tests have identified that Pinzgauer bulls are quick gainers with excellent feed conversion.

Early maturity is also evident in the Pinzgauer female.. The Pinzgauer female is generally easy calving, with average birth weights of 85 pounds in heifer calves and 90 pounds for bull calves and a general range of 80 to 100 pounds.. A strong mothering instinct, high milk production and calving ease make Pinzgauer cows an efficient addition to any herd.

After weaning, the cattle destined for the meat industry gain weight rapidly by converting feed efficiently. Pinzgauers adapt to life in the feedyard easily due to their docile nature. Minimal days on feed and the ability to convert grain and forage into well marbled beef is part of a Pinzgauer's natural inheritance. Optimum slaughter weight of 1200 pounds (540 kg) by 12 - 14 months of age is easily achieved. Pinzgauer cattle can also perform on pasture alone and reach market weight without the use of grain.

Randalls originated in Sunderland, Vermont, on the farm of Everett Randall, who, along with his father before him, kept a closed herd of cattle derived mostly from the landrace hill cattle of the area.  This herd is thought to have been totally isolated for over 80 years, surviving virtually unchanged while other landrace herds across New England disappeared by being ?graded up? in the first half of the 20th century. Randall cattle have retained the high level of function required of their subsistence farm progenitors.  The Randalls, although still critically rare, now number over 200 animals and are filling a niche for grass based milk and meat production on small farms and homesteads."

The Romagnola Beef Cattle are a cattle breed that has commercial appeal to the Cattle Industry. Romagnola Cattle offer the commercial cattleman ease of calving, earlier growth, good early weight gains and mostly muscle. Romagnola seed stock bulls are being used on terminal cross feeder cattle for better feedlot gains with more muscle and less fat (fat thickness of 0.35 in) at slaughter. Typical feedlot gains are 3.1 lbs/day (no implants), yielding 64.8% with a typical ribeye of 14.3 in2 and a rib/cwt of 1.68. These crosses are typically bringing the producer a premium of $85 over regional cash prices. At slaughter, 4% grade premium, 89 % of carcasses typically grade choice and the remaining 7% grades select.

Romagnola bulls and semen are available through Romagnola seed stock breeders. The American Romagnola Association and its breeders are constantly striving to produce seed stock animals with good weaning weights and high post weaning gains. When crossed with commercial herds, there are minimal birthing problems. The Romagnola breed typically does well through out a wide range of climatic conditions from the tropics to the deserts to the high mountain ranges. They tolerate the heat of south Texas, rain forests of Costa Rico to the high mountains of Colorado. Health problems also appear to be minimal, despite the wide range of climatic conditions in which they thrive.

Senepol

USDA research indicates that Senepol have greater immune response when compaired to other beef breeds. this is due greatly to the N'Dama influence in Senepol, and is also aided by generations of natural selection being applied on the island of St. Croix.

Senepol are similar to Angus in calving ease and light birth weight. The huge advantage they offer is tremendous calf vigor. Breeders everywhere are proud of the increased survival of Senepol-sired calves because they jump up and nurse quickly.

Maternal Efficiency, is aided by the moderate size, fleshing and foraging ability of the Senepol cow. Adult cows average 1,000 to 1,200 lbs., and consistently wean off 50% or better of their body weight while maintaining an efficient calving interval.

Shorthorn cattle are an English breed of cattle that excell in maternal characteristics such as early puberty, fertility, calving ease, milk production and general mothering ability. Based on USDA Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) data, Shorthorns are one of the highest marbling breeds producing very high quality carcasses with excellent yield grades. Australian research indicates that Shorthorns produce the most tender carcasses with 97% of all Shorthorn cattle carrying two copies of the GeneStar DNA tenderness allele. In short, highly selected lines of Shorthorn cattle make excellent mothers and produce excellent carcasses.

South Devon cattle are exceptionally docile. Nicknamed the "Gentle Solution", both cows and bulls handle easily under pasture and range conditions

The most obvious benefit of any F-1 cross of beef cattle is the roughly 12-14% increase in rate of gain available through hybrid vigor, with the second cross offering additional hybrid growth benefits.

Equally important is the efficiency of gain available with South Devon. In a University of Minnesota test, a South Devon Bull gained one pound for each 5.22 pounds of 60% TDN ration consumed.

South Devon cattle have performed exceptionally well against all breeds in bull test and steer competitions. Some examples include top Average Daily Gain or Weight Per Day of Age over all breeds three out of four years at the University of Nebraska Bull Tests, top sire group in Rate of Gain over all breeds two consecutive years at the University of Minnesota Bull Test and top sire group of steers in Rate of Gain over all breeds at the Great Western Beef Expo in Sterling, Colorado.

In study after study, South Devons have risen to the top on carcass quality. The 1996 North American South Devon Carcass Project gave the beef industry conclusive data that South Devon cattle give you more for your money.

The average South Devon steer finishes out at 13 to 15 months of age with an average weight of 1,150 to 1,250 pounds, a 62-65% hanging carcass, with a high yield grade average.

South Devon combine marbling with the lean yield and gain traits of the Continental breeds. The MARC data shows that South Devon surpasses other English breeds in retail product yield. At a recent Great Western Beef Expo, a pen of South Devon’s placed first on feed efficiency (4.52conversion), second on average daily gain (4.03 lbs./hd/day) and first on lbs. feed/carcass gain.

The Texas Longhorn is the foundation of the American cattle industry, having arrived in 1493 when Christopher Columbus brought Spanish cattle to Santa Domingo. Their descendants later made the great trail drives after the Civil War. Eventually barbed wire and "fat" cattle replaced the sturdy Longhorn as the prime beef.  Fortunately far-sighted cattlemen recognized the importance of the Texas Longhorn genetics and organized the official herd registry, the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America, in 1964. Texas Longhorns offer numerous benefits: (1) reproductive efficiency: Large pelvic openings and low birth weights result in live calves. Many cattlemen use Longhorn bulls on their 1st calf heifers. (2) longevity: Texas Longhorns calve well into their teens. (3) browse utilization j-less supplemental feed is needed because the cattle take advantage of the forage available. (4) disease/parasite resistance a natural immunity developed over the centuries means fewer veterinarian bills and less maintenance for today's cowman (5) lean breed: the breed produces naturally less fat and lower cholesterol for today's health conscious public (6) adaptability : the breed thrives in climates from hot damp coastal regions to the harsh winters of Canada (7) marketability : markets include seed stock, commercial bulls and females, recreational tock, lean beef, tradition and nostalgia, horns and hide, and fun!

Tuli is a unique breed of cattle for these primary reasons

1. Tuli provide a total outcross to nearly all breeds as it is neither Zebu nor Bos Indicus.
2. Tuli is a heat tolerant breed that has very high fertility, disposition and calving ease.
3. Tuli carcass quality is excellent from the standpoint of both marbling and tenderness.