Breeds of Cows

Africander cattle developed from the native Hottentot cattle of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. The Africander is a hardy breed, popular in South Africa. In Afrikaans, this breed is called Afrikanerbees. Central Pets Educational Foundation

The Amerifax is a relatively new breed, which combines the best qualities of the Angus and the Beef Friesian. Originated in the United States, they are usually black, but can be red, and are polled (or hornless). While Amerifax are known for their gentle disposition, they are quite hardy and have great maternal instincts. The name Amerifax means American Friesian Angus crossbreed. Central Pets Educational Foundation

Aberdeen-Angus is the original name of the breed as developed in Scotland and the term is still in use in the United Kingdom. In the United States they are usually referred to simply as “Angus” or Black Angus. Angus cattle are naturally polled and solid black, although white may appear on the udder. Black Angus are the most popular beef breed of cattle in the United States with more than 320,000 animals registered in 2005. Wikipedia

Ankole-Watusi cattle are the show-stoppers of the bovine kingdom. Medium-sized animals, with long, large-diameter horns, they attract attention wherever they appear. These regal animals can easily trace their ancestry back more than 6,000 years and have often been referred to as "cattle of kings." Ankole Watusi International Registry

The aurochs is a very large, extinct type of cattle, originally prevalent in Europe. According to the Paleontologisk Museum, University of Oslo, aurochs evolved in India some two million years ago, migrated to the Middle East and further into Asia, and reached Europe about 250,000 years ago. Domestication of the aurochs began in the southern Caucasus and northern Mesopotamia from about the 6th Millennium B.C., while genetic evidence suggests that aurochs were independently domesticated in northern Africa and in India. Domestication caused dramatic changes to the physiology of the creatures, to the extent that domestic cattle have been regarded as a separate species. The last recorded live aurochs, a female, died in 1627 in the Jaktorów Forest, Poland. Wikipedia

The Ayrshire cattle is a breed of dairy cattle originated from the County of Ayr in Scotland. The average mature Ayrshire cow weighs 1,000 to 1,300 pounds. Ayrshires have red markings. The red can be an orange to a dark brown, with or without brown legs. They are known for low somatic cell counts, ability to convert grass into milk efficiently, and hardiness. Wikipedia

The Barzona is a crossbreed, the creation of an Arizona rancher who wanted a breed suitable for his locale. The animal was bred for hardiness traits that include good feet and legs, the ability cover rough ground and graze sparse ranges, and for survival in semi-arid desert conditions. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Bazadaise are a pure French breed from the Bazas and Landes region in the south of France. The Bazadais is a cross of local breeds and breeds from Spain. With endurance to the cold and the heat, these cattle can be found grazing high in the alpine meadows in the extreme cold of the Pyrenees Mountains down to the hotter more arid regions of the Spanish border. Australian Bazadais Cattle Society

Beefalo are a fertile hybrid offspring of domestic cattle, Bos taurus, and the American Bison, Bison bison (generally called buffalo). The breed was created to combine the best characteristics of both animals with a view towards beef production. Cattle and buffalo were first intentionally crossbred during the mid-1800s. Accidental crosses were noticed as far back as 1750 in the southern United States. Wikipedia

Beefmaster is a breed of beef cattle developed in the early 1930s by Tom Lasater from a crossing of Hereford and Shorthorn cattle with hearty Brahman stock. Lasater’s original intention was to produce cattle that would be more productive than existing breeds in the harsh environment of South Texas. Beefmasters were recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a pure breed in 1954. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

Belgian Blue cattle are a heavily-bred breed, producing extraordinary amounts of meat. The sculpted, heavily muscled appearance is known as “doubled muscled,” a trait shared by the Piedmontese breed. Belgian blue has a natural mutation of the gene that codes for myostatin, a protein that counteracts muscle growth. The truncated myostatin is unable to function in this capacity. This mutation also interferes with fat deposition, resulting in very lean meat. (Fairly recently, a human boy in Germany was born with the same mutation. The gene is referred to as “Mighty Mouse” and the boy has been called “superboy” by the press.) Wikipedia

The Belted Galloway is a breed of Galloway cattle. It is thought to be a Scottish hybrid of Galloway and Dutch Belted, medium-sized bovines. The Belted Galloway is predominantly raised for beef, while the Dutch Belted is mostly a dairy cow. Wikipedia

The Bison is a taxonomic genus containing six species of large, even-toed ungulates within the subfamily Bovinae. (Yep. It's basically a big cow.) Only two of these species still exist: the American Bison, commonly and mistakenly referred to as “buffalo” in American Western culture, and the European Bison, or wisent. The American and European Bison are the largest terrestrial mammals in North America and Europe. Bison are distinct from buffalo. The only two species holding that name are the Asian Water Buffalo and African Buffalo. Wikipedia

“The Black Baldy has long been recognized and shown by research to be one of the most efficient beef-producing animals in the Northern Great Plains,” says Pat Currie, Montana rancher and range scientist now retired from the Agricultural Research Service. “It’s the F1 generation or first cross of purebred Hereford and Angus which maximizes expression of heterosis.” Beef Magazine

Europeans have bred Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle since the 6th century, and anything proliferating 15 centuries must have something going for it. These beef cattle evolved from draft animals, which explains their muscle development, hardiness, and docile temperament. At one time they pulled carts, carrying weapons and goods plundered by eastern conquerors, across Germany and Gaul into Spain and Portugal. The breed originates from the the Aquitaine district in southwestern France. Blondes are the third largest breed in France. American Blonde d’Aquitaine Association

In less than 25 years, the Bonsmara has become so popular that it has is now numerically the strongest beef breed in South Africa. British Hereford and Shorthorn bulls were bred with Afrikaner cows to develop the breed. The name Bonsmara was derived from “Bonsma,” the man who played a major role in the development of the breed, and “Mara,” the farm on which the animals were bred. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Brahman breed of cattle originated from the Bos indicus cattle originally brought to the US from India and Brazil. The principal breed was the Kankrej, called Guzerat in Brazil. The Nelore and Gyr were also used. The Brahman is a beef breed. With a distinctive hump over its shoulder and neck, and a loose flap of skin hanging from the neck, the Brahman might be the most easily recognizable breed in the U.S. Wikipedia

Purebred Brahmousin are classified as five-eighths Limousin and three-eighths Brahman. Optimum milk production is a Brahmousin trademark. Brahmousin bulls are active breeders in all types of climates. Brahmousin calves are born small and easy, and they grow rapidly. American Brahmousin Council

Brangus, it should be no surprise, is a crossbreed of Angus and Brahman cattle. The Brahman, through rigorous natural selection, developed disease resistance, overall hardiness, and outstanding maternal instincts. Angus are known for their superior carcass qualities. Females are also extremely functional, excelling in both fertility and milking ability. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Braunvieh might be the oldest pure breed on earth, with records dating back to 800 B.C. Recently, archeologists have found cattle bones among the ruins of the ancient Swiss Lake Dwellers similar to those of the present-day Braunvieh. This would date these cattle somewhere around the Bronze Age. Braunvieh cattle imported to the United States in the 19th century were the origin of the modern Brown Swiss cattle breed. Braunvieh.com

Bravon cows are a cross, joining the merits of the sturdy Brahman and Devon breeds.

The British White is a native British cattle breed dating back as far as the 16th Century. It is a dual purpose animal, producing both beef and milk. Most bovine historians believe that the breed of cattle now known as British Whites go back to a breed of cattle found in the mountainous regions of Scandinavia around the 8th or 9th century. These cattle were characterized as having white bodies with black or red tips on the ears, eyes, muzzle and teats. Some of these animals were proably tranferred to present day Britain by Vikings, either through trade or conquest. Wikipedia

The Brown Swiss is breed of dairy cattle that produces the second largest quantity of the milk per annum. The milk contains on average 4% butterfat and 3.5% protein, making their milk excellent for production of cheese. Brown Swiss is quite a resilient breed of cattle; they are hardy and capable of subsisting with little care or feed. The Brown Swiss originated on the slopes of the Swiss Alps. Wikipedia

The BueLingo breed was developed on the Bueling Ranch in Ransom County, North Dakota. It was the creation of Russell Bueling and R. B. Danielson of the Animal Science Department of the North Dakota State University at Fargo. It is similar in appearance to the Dutch Belted breed of dairy cattle. The breed is now distributed into twenty-eight states and three Canadian provinces. Dickinson Cattle Company

The Charbray breed was established in Texas USA in the 1930s when Charolais bulls from Mexico were crossed with Brahman cows. The resulting calves weaned heavier and finished faster. The versatile Charbray combines the hardiness and tick resistance of the Brahman with the lean beef characteristics and docile temperament of the Charolais. Charbray Society of Australia

Charolais cattle (pronounced char-lay) are a beef breed that originated in Charolais, near Charolles, in France. Raised for their meat, they are known for their composite qualities when crossed with other breeds, most notably Angus and Hereford cattle. This breed has been quite popular in the top end of Australia where they are more adaptable to the harsh weather conditions. Wikipedia

Chiangus is a composite breed, the result of crossing Italian Chianina and American Angus cattle. The result is a championship breed that dominates the major steer shows throughout the U.S. New South Wales Dept. of Primary Industries

The Chianina (pronounced kee-a-nee-na) may well be one of the oldest breeds of cattle in existence. They were praised by the Georgic poets Columella and Vergil, and were the models for Roman sculptures. The breed originated primarily in the west central part of Italy and was found in a wide variety of environmental conditions. Because of this, these cattle vary in size and type from region to region. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Chiford breed is a result of crossing a Chianina and Hereford. Chiford Cattle can be either horned or polled and can range in color from a pale fawn or cream to a dark red with a range from typical Hereford white markings to a solid red or reddish color pattern. Talmo Ranch

Corriente cattle are descended from Spanish cattle brought to the Americas in the late 1400s. They are primarily used today as sport cattle for rodeo events such as team roping and bulldogging (steer wrestling), although some breeders raise them for their meat, which is significantly leaner than the meat from most modern beef cattle. Wikipedia

Danish Red cattle, also known as Red Danish or Red Dane, are a major dairy breed in northern Europe. The breed was developed in Denmark by crossing local breeds with Angeln cattle from Schleswig. Danish Red cattle (and, earlier, Angeln cattle) have been imported to many other countries and have been used to improve and form many local breeds, such as Estonian Red, Polish Red, Belarus Red, Tambov Red (Russian Red), Bulgarian Red, and others. Wikipedia

The Devon, sometimes called North Devon to distinguish it from the South Devon breed, is one of the oldest beef breeds in existence today. 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. In fact, according to an offical reference material compiled by the Devon Cattle Breeders Society, it appears that the Red Cattle of North Devon may have contributed to the Hereford and other British breeds. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

Dexter cattle are a minority breed and, until fairly recently, were considered a rare breed. They are the smallest native breed, and originated in the South of Ireland in the 1800's as an ideal “cottagers cow”, producing plenty of milk for the house and a calf to be reared for beef each year. The animals vary in size, but are about half the size of a traditional Hereford. Dexters are a dual purpose breed, providing dairy and beef. Wikipedia

DroughtMasters were developed in northern Queensland, Australia’s hot tropical north. Initial crossing of the shorthorn and Brahman breeds led to selective breeding that arrived finally at a fixed tropical breed with approximately equal bloodlines. Although found mainly in Queensland, the breed’s popularity has increased to the degree that it has spread throughout most states of Australia. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Dutch Belted, or Lakenvelder, breed of cattle is, according to records, the only belted breed of cattle tracing back directly to the original belted or “canvassed” cattle that were described in Switzerland and Austria. These “Gurtenvieh” were evidently moved by Dutch nobility from the mountain farms of Canton Appenzell and Tyrol Mountains during or soon after the feudal period. The Dutch were very protective of their belted cattle and would generally not part with them. The cattle were highly prized for their milking and fattening abilities. The breed began to flourish in Holland around 1750. Current races are more productive, but there are small scale initiatives to preserve the race. Wikipedia

The English Longhorn originated in northwest and central England and Ireland.became the first breed, It became the first breed, in the mid-1700s, to be improved by Robert Bakewell of Leicestershire, England. Bakewell pioneered the use of inbreeding technique in cattle selection. He selected the English Longhorn for quick growth and heavy hindquarters. His selection efforts led the breed to become the most widely used throughout England and Ireland until it was surpassed by the shorthorn breed in the early 1800s. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

Florida Cracker cattle are Florida's equivalent of the better known Texas Longhorn. Florida Cracker cattle, Texas Longhorn cattle, and the various breeds of Central and South America known collectively as Criollo cattle, all descend from the original cattle imported into the Americas by the Spanish. The name Florida Cracker has only been used in recent years. Previously the cattle have been referred to as Piney Woods, Florida Scrub or Florida Native Cattle. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Galloway is one of the world’s longest established breeds of beef cattle, named after the Galloway region of Scotland, where it originated. By the 15th century, it was already providing the main source of beef in the United Kingdom. The Galloway is naturally hornless; instead of horns has a bone knob at the top of its skull, called a poll. This breed’s shaggy coat has both a thick, wooly undercoat for warmth and stiffer guard hairs that help shed water, making them well adapted to harsher climates. Wikipedia

The Ganado Bravo or Fighting Bull is selected primarily for aggressiveness, strength and vigor. These are bred primarily in Spain, Portugal, and those Latin American countries were bull fighting is organized. A subspecies of auroch, Bos taurus Ibericus, is thought to be the ancestor of the all the dark-colored breeds found on the Iberian peninsula, including the Fighting Bull or Fighting Cattle. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

Gelbvieh is a dual-purpose, medium-frame breed that originated in Bavaria, Germany around the end of the 18th century. In German, Gelbvieh means “Yellow cattle”; hence the breed is also known as the "German Yellow" and "Einfarbig gelbe Hohenvich." In spite of the name, the breed is a tawny red color. It was partly derived from the Schwyz and Bernese breeds of Swiss cattle. Selection was based on quality of meat, milk production, and strength of the draft animal. Wikipedia

The Guernsey is renowned for the rich flavour of its milk, as well as its hardiness and docile disposition. The unique qualities of the milk produced by the Guernsey cow have made the breed world famous. The milk has a golden color due to an exceptionally high content of beta carotene, which may help to reduce the risks of certain cancers. Guernsey cows produce more milk per unit of body weight than any other breed: around 2,000 gallons per cow per year. Wikipedia

The Gyr or Gyr is one of the principal Zebu breeds in India and is used for both dairy and beef production. It has been used locally in the improvement of other breeds including the Red Sindhi and the Sahiwal. It was also one of the breeds used in the development of the Brahman breed in North America. In Brazil and other South American countries the Gir is used frequently because, as a Bos indicus breed, it is resistant to hot temperatures and tropical diseases. Wikipedia

Hereford are a widely used breed in temperate areas, mainly for beef production. Originally from Herefordshire, England, they are the most common breed of beef cattle in the temperate parts of Australia. The breed also enjoys great popularity among ranchers in the desert American Southwest of the United States and also in the centre and east of Argentina. Closely related to the Miniature Hereford, the breed is known for its high-quality meat and its excellent maternal qualities. Wikipedia

Highland cattle are an ancient Scottish breed of cattle with long horns and shaggy pelts. Highlands are known as a hardy breed (most likely due to the rugged nature of their native Scottish Highlands), which will eat plants other cattle avoid. They both graze and browse. The meat tends to be leaner than most beef, as highlands get most of their insulation from their thick shaggy hair rather than subcutaneous fat. Highland cattle were the earliest registered breed, with the registry or herd book having been established in 1884. Wikipedia

The Holstein originated in Europe. The major historical development of this breed occurred in what is now the Netherlands — more specifically, in the two northern provices of North Holland and Friesland, which lay on either side of the Zuider Zee. The original stock were the black animals and white animals of the Batavians and Friesians, migrant European tribes who settled in the Rhine Delta region about 2,000 years ago. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Hungarian Grey or Hungarian Steppe Cattle (in Hungarian, Szilaj, Magyar szüurke or Magyar alföldi) is an old cattle breed from Hungary. The breed belongs to the group of the Podolic cattle and is very adapted on extensive pasture systems. It originates from the Hungarian lowland. Wikipedia

Illawarra is an Australian aboriginal word early settlers used to describe the land some 50 miles south of Sydney, land locked between the Pacific Ocean and what was once a near impenetrable escarpment that rears abruptly to the west. With much of the land cleared by the early settlers (with the assistance of convict labor from the nearby penal settlement at Wollongong), all breeds types and colors of cattle had been introduced into the area by the mid-1800s. Cattle grants from government and private herds reached the Illawarra, including Longhorn Durhams, Shorthorn Durhams, Red Lincolns, Red Ayrshires and Jerseys. At the end of the 1800s, breeders introduced Kerri Dexter, Friesian, Shorthorn and Ayrshire bloodlines, and it was from this amalgamation that the Australian Illawarra dairy cattle descended. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Irish Moiled is a rare cattle breed from Ireland. It is a traditional Irish breed of ancient lineage with a long history as a hardy, dual-purpose animal, producing both high quality beef and milk. It is an economical producer being a resourceful forager, easily maintained on less acreage and less concentrate than most other cattle breeds. The name Moile means polled or hornless. These cattle are red in color, marked by a white line or “finching” on the back and under parts, but they can vary from white with red ears to nearly all red. Irish Moiled Cattle Society

In the early 1900s, Angus were imported to the island of Jamaica. Cattle with zebu breeding were already in use there; and, naturally, the zebu were mated with the imported Angus. The result, the Jamaica Black, is a breed, more similar in appearance to Brangus than Angus, is one quarter to three-eighths zebu. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

Jamaica Hope cattle, a dairy breed developed solely for dairy function in the tropics, provide much more milk than coconuts ever did. Jamaica Hope cattle are an extremely hardy dairy breed. They are resistant to ticks and many tick borne diseases, in addition to having the ability to tolerate high heat and humidity. They are easy to handle because of their smaller size and adapt readily to many management systems. At maturity, Jamaica Hope bulls weigh around 1,600 pounds, and cows usually average 1,100 pounds. Despite their small size, cows can produce five times their body weight in milk per lactation. Central Pets Educational Foundation

The Jersey cow is quite small, ranging from only 800 to 1200 pounds; but by some measures it produces more milk per unit of body weight than any other breed, and has the highest feed-to-milk conversion efficiency of any dairy breed. Bulls are also small, ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 pounds, and are notoriously aggressive. As its name implies, the Jersey was bred on the British Channel Island of Jersey. It apparently descended from cattle stock brought over from the nearby Norman mainland, and was first recorded as a separate breed around 1700. Since 1789, imports of foreign cattle into Jersey have been forbidden by law to maintain the purity of the breed, although exports of cattle have been an important economic resource for the island. Wikipedia

Kerry cattle are most probably the descendants of the Celtic Shorthorn, brought to Ireland as long ago as 2000 B.C. They are still found grazing in the marginal pastures of the hill districts of southwestern Ireland. Kerries were imported to the United States beginning in 1818 and the breed prospered through the early 20th century. But by the 1930s, however, it had practically disappeared from North America. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Kuri’s gigantic bulbous horns are its unmistakable trait. These cattle are native to the shores of Lake Chad where Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria join. The Kuri are believe to be descended from the Hamitic Longhorn cattle and have been herded by the Buduma and Kuri peoples for centuries. These animals spend several hours each day in the water swimming in search of water plants for food. It is thought that the horns act as floats. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The history of Limousin cattle may very well be as old as the European continent. Cattle found in cave drawings estimated to be 20,000 years old in the Lascaux Cave near Montignac, France, have a striking resemblance to today’s Limousin. These golden-red cattle are native to the south central part of France in the regions of Limousin and Marche. During the early days of animal power, Limousin gained a well-earned reputation as work animals. Rene Lafarge reported in 1698, “Limousin oxen were universally renown and esteemed both as beasts of burden and beef cattle.” Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

Lowline cattle were developed as a part of a major research project initiated at Australia’s Trangie Agricultural Research Centre in 1974 to investigate the implications of selection for growth rate. Lowline cattle are very definitely a beef breed. They are always black, naturally polled and at all stages of their growth are 60 percent of the size of normal beef breeds. As they stand today, they are generally the smallest breed of beef cattle. At maturity, cow weigh a consistent average of 710 pounds. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

Luing cattle are a beef breed developed on the island of Luing (pronounced “Ling”) in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland by the Cadzow brothers after 1947. It was formed by breeding first cross Beef Shorthorn/Highland heifers to a Beef Shorthorn bull. The intent was to produce a good beef cow with the ability to raise a calf under adverse weather conditions. Wikipedia

The Maine-Anjou breed originated in the northwestern part of France. 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. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Marchigiana breed (mar-key-JAH-na) originated in the Marche and surrounding provinces of Italy near Rome. This area is typified by rough terrain and the available feed is often less than ideal. There seems to be considerable differences in opinion as to the exact origin of the breed. One opinion contends they were brought into the area by the Barbarians after the fall of Rome in the fifth century. Another believes that it is a relatively new breed, being differentiated as late as 1933 and known locally at the time as the Improved Marche. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Meuse Rhine Yssel is a rare breed of Netherlands origin. It was developed in the catchment areas of the Meuse, Rhine, and Issel rivers around the late nineteenth century. These animals were originally developed as a dual-purpose breed, but in recent years producers have concentrated on milk production and have obtained high annual yields with a good protein content. Nevertheless, the Meuse Rhine Issel is still considered to produce a good quantity of meat of excellent quality. Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand

The Milking Shorthorn originated in Britain. It was used for beef for many years, and only in the more recent centuries did the Milking Shorthorn split off from the shorthorn family and become more focused milk producers. Sizeable populations of Milking Shorthorns (also known as Dairy Shorthorns or Dual-Purpose Shorthorns) are present in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The breed has served as the foundation for other red dairy breeds, such as the Illawarra or Aussie Red, Swedish Red and Norwegian Red. Wikipedia

The first Miniature Panda cow, named “Precious”, was born April 27, 2000. The result of years of development and a happy accident. The Happy Mountain Farm in Washington state had earlier developed a miniature bull only 36 inches tall. A crossbred Irish Dexter and Belted Galloway, his full white belt seemed like a perfect invitation to experiment. The farm bred the bull with one of its miniature cows and ended up with a very small heifer sporting a very wide, white belt. With a panda-like face, all white with large black circles around both eyes, the world’s first Miniature Panda Cow was born. Int’l Miniature Cattle Breeders Society

The Murray Grey originated in southern New South Wales, Australia. In 1905, on the Thologolong property of Peter Sutherland, a particular roan Shorthorn cow, when bred to various Aberdeen Angus bulls, dropped only grey calves — 12 of them by 1917. Because his wife Eva liked these grey calves, Peter didn’t slaughter them (though he did fear they would reflect poorly on his black Angus herd. When her husband died in 1929, Eva sold the herd of Greys to her cousin Helen Sutherland, who started a systematic breeding. In the early 1940s Mervyn Gadd started a second Murray Grey herd as a commercial venture, using a grey bull from the Sutherlands and breeding up from Angus cows. Butchers paid a premium price for the Greys because of their consistent high cutability and less wastage. Breeder after breeder turned to them and in 1962 fifty breeders banded together to form the Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society of Australia. The name of the breed comes from the color and the site of origin along the Murray River that divides New South Wales and Victoria. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The N’Dama is an African cattle breed originating in Guinea, although it is now common in many parts of Africa, and is used for cross-breeding all over the world. N’Dama are tough as nails: able to withstand with equal ease the conditions of jungles and arid pastures, and resistant to disease, insects, and food shortages, they are often bred with European cattle to increase the latter’s ability to survive in hostile climates. Everything2.com

The Nelore is of the Zebu species. Their most distinctive characteristic is the presense of a prominent hump behind the neck, but there are many other fundamental differences between the Nelore and the European breeds. There has never existed in India a breed called Nelore. The breed’s name corresponds to a district of the old Presidency of Madrás, now b elonging to the new State of Andra, by the Bengal Sea. It was in Brazil that some authors started to use the name Nellore as a synonym for Ongole, the Indian breed that contributed most to the creation of the Nelore. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Normande breed has its origin in cattle that were brought to Normandy by the Viking conquerors in the 9th and 10th centuries. For more than a thousand years these cattle evolved into a dual purpose breed to meet the milk and meat needs of the residents of northwestern France. Though the breed was decimated by the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, there are currently 3 million Normandes in France. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

This breed designation originated in 1961 when breeders crossed the Norwegian Red-and-White, Red Trondheim and Red Polled Østland. In 1963, the Døle was also absorbed into the designation and in 1968 South and West Norwegians were added. Others breeds are said to have contributed to the gene pool as well. Using the classical definition the Norwegian Red cannot be considered a breed. It is an amalgamation to develop superior strain of dual-purpose cattle. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

Parthenais existed in western Europe for hundreds of years, but the French Parthenais Herdbook was not established in 1893. While French in origin, the breed is proving itself in Britain as well, and the Parthenais Cattle Breeders of America further promotes the breed. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Ultimate Beef Cattle. So says the North American Piedmontese Cattle Association of this robust, highly fertile breed. Piedmontese cattle originated in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy, an area naturally protected by the Alps mountain range. Two distinct breeds, the Auroch and the Zebu, blended and evolved in the harsh mountain terrain over thousands of years to become the Piedmontese breed. In 1886, it was the appearance of double-muscling in Piedmontese cattle that attracted the attention of breeders, who had the foresight to recognize the enormous potential of this development. Piedmontese Association of the United States

Pinzgau is a breed from the Pinzgau in the federal state of Salzburg in Austria. According to morphologic and genetic tests the Pinzgau cattle is closelier related to the north German lowland breeds than to the local breeds of the western Alpes. Only the crossing in of Fleckvieh cattle is historically documented. The Pinzgau cattle breed counts as endangered — the population decreases by about 10% per year. Wikipedia

The Qinchuan is a draft breed belonging to the Huanghuai group and is found in central Shaanxi in China. They are usually red but individuals with yellow coloration are also found. They also exhibit a cervical hump. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Red Angus is a solid red-pigmented breed of cattle. This breed is bred for its beef, and is highly fertile. The breed of Red Angus originally began in Europe, and was introduced to England and Scotland during raids. However, in Europe at this time, there was need for a heavier cow to be used for pulling draughts. English Longhorns, a large breed of cattle and red in colour were brought in and bred with the black polled breeds native to Scotland. This resulted in the red colouration of the Aberdeen Angus. Wikipedia

The Red Poll is a breed developed in England around the beginning of the 19th century, crossbred from Norfolk Red and Suffolk Dun cattle. Red Poll are, as the name implies, polled (hornless), as were their parent Suffolk breed. Norfolk cattle have horns, but the gene for polled cattle is dominant. They are deep red in color, and occasionally have white tails. Red Polls are bred both for meat and milk. Wikipedia

Red Sindhi cattle a very popular dairy breed, are well known throughout the southern hemisphere. They are amazingly hardy and absolutely heat resistant. Although Red Sindhi cattle may be a bit difficult to control, with careful attention they will tame down nicely. They are not particularly wild or aggressive, but more often get into trouble due to their curious and sometimes mischievous nature. Central Pets Educational Foundation

The Romagnola derives from the Bos primigenius podolicus, a wild ox that lived on the Italian peninsula; and, to a great extent also, from the Bos primigenius nomadicus, a bovine originating in the Euro–Asian steppes, which came to Italy during the fourth century A.D. with the Gothic invasion led by Aginulf. The Romagnola therefore combines the characteristics of both major types of Aurochs, the ancient cattle. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Salers breed is one of the last European breeds to be imported into North America. The historical journey for the Salers breed was first recorded by archaeologists as depicted from ancient drawings in cave dwellings dated some 7,000 years ago. The drawings were found near Salers, a small medieval town in the center of France. These drawings and the Salers cattle of today, which are very different from all other French breeds, bear some resemblance to the ancient Egyptian red cattle. With such a unique background, the breed is considered to be one of the oldest and most genetically pure of all European breeds. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Salorn is a recently developed composite breed consisting of French Salers and Texas Longhorn blood. The late professor Jan C. Bonsma, world renowned animal scientist of Pretoria, South Africa, and consultant to the International Salorn Association, stated, “It is my considered opinion that if the breed creation work on the Salorn is judiciously done, the Salorn breed will, in the long run, be a far superior breed to any of the synthetic breeds of America.” In 1986 the Salorn breed was officially established. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

Santa Gertrudis cattle are a beef breed developed in southern Texas on the King Ranch. They were named for the Santa Gertrudis creek on the ranch. This breed was officially recognized in 1940, becoming the first beef breed formed in the United States. The origin given by King Ranch is that it was formed by mating Brahman bulls with Beef Shorthorn cows. Wikipedia

The Senepol breed was developed on the Caribbean Island of St. Croix by Henry C. Nelthropp in the early 1900s. The Senepol breed combines the N’Dama characteristics of heat tolerance and insect resistance with the extreme gentleness, good meat, and high milk production of the Red Poll. Wikipedia

Shetland cattle closely resemble the Jersey, Canadian and Breton breed in conformation, but Shetlands are Scandinavian in origin. They remained pure until the mid-1800s when small numbers of Shorthorn, Angus and Highland cattle were introduced to the Shetland Islands. In the 1920s, Friesian cattle were imported, which resulted in the breed’s existing coloration of black and white, when, historically, dun and red-pied animals predominated. Originally these animals were a small, angular dairy breed with legendary longevity and resistance to diseases. Over time, and with the introduction of other breeds into the bloodline, they have increased in size. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Shorthorn originated in the northeast region of England in the late 18th century. The breed was developed as dual purpose, suitable for both dairy and beef production; however, there were always certain bloodlines within the breed that emphasised one quality or the other. Over time these lines diverged and by the second half of the 20th century two separate breeds had developed: the Beef Shorthorn and the Dairy Shorthorn. All Shorthorn cattle are colored red, white, or roan. Roan cattle are preferred by some. Completely white animals are not common. Wikipedia

An experiment combining Brahman with Simmental, which began in the pastures of a few dedicated cattlemen in the late 1960s, has evolved into the breed called Simbrah. The Brahman or Zebu, the most numerous cattle type on earth, contributes heat and insect tolerance, hardiness, and excellent foraging ability, as well as maternal calving ease and longevity. The Simmental complements these excellent traits with early sexual maturity, fertility, milking ability, rapid growth, and good beef characteristics. The very docile disposition of most Simmental is also a plus for this composite. These two cattle breeds have been used in cooperation to produce Simbrah, superior in many ways to the parent breeds. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Simmental or Simmenthal is a Swiss breed, named after the valley of the Simme river. It can range from black to red to brown in color with white markings, and is raised for both milk and meat. Simmental bulls are extremely popular as sires in beef herds in the U.K. Their progeny, like the bulls, are generally docile. A purple Simmental cow is a symbol of Milka brand of chocolate. Wikipedia

South Devon cattle have British origins from the county of Devon in the southwest region of England. South Devons have been a distinct breed since the 16th century and are recognized in more than eighteen countries. They are not related to the Devon (or North Devon) cattle which also are from England. South Devon cattle are the largest of the British breeds, with mature cows weighing between 1,400 and 1,600 pounds. Canadian South Devon Assoc.

The South Pole or Southern Mama is a new composite breed combining four maternal breeds: Angus, Hereford, Senepol, and Barzona. The breed’s origin was based on a desire to form a heat-tolerant animal with a gentle disposition and tender carcass qualities. The breed was initiated in 1990 when breeders crossed a Barzona/Hereford and Senepol/Red Angus. These two half-bloods were then mated together to produce the four-way cross South Poll. Bent Tree Farms

The origins and classification of the Sudanese Fulani remains controversial; one school of thought believes that Fulani cattle are truly long-horned zebus that first arrived in Africa from Asia on the east coast; these are believed to have been introduced into West Africa by the Arab invaders during the seventh century A.D. Another theory contends that these cattle originated from the Horn of Africa, present-day Ethiopia and Somalia, and that interbreeding between the short-horned zebu (which arrived in the Horn around the first millennium B.C.) and the ancient Hamitic Longhorn and/or Brachyceros shorthorn (which had arrived much earlier) occurred in the Horn about 2000-1500 B.C. ILRI

The Sussex was developed in southeast England primarily as a beef breed. Improvement of the breed did not begin until the late 18th century. It has since been exported to Southern Africa and other tropical regions of the world because the breed adapts well to hot climates and resists tick-borne disease. Sussex cattle have dark red coats and white tail switches. In colder climated the winter coat of the breed is often curly. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Swedish Friesian, also known as Swedish Black and White Cattle, have become increasingly scarce; not because they have lost popularity, but because their bloodlines have become diluted in a variety of cross breedings. Hardy and easy to handle, Swedish Friesian adapt very well to most management systems. They can tolerate both hot and cold climates, and continue to have a high milk yield under trying conditions. Central Pets Educational Foundation

Tarentaise cattle bear the name of the place of their origin, the Tarentaise Valley in the French Alpine mountains. Altitude in their native region varies from 1,000 feet to 8,000 feet, and usually the change in elevation is abrupt. In order to negotiate the mountain ranges, Tarentaise developed excellent natural muscling. This breed is distinctive for its abundant muscling in the hips. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

The Texas Longhorn is known for its characteristic horns, which can extend to six feet in width, as well as for its distinctive burnt orange coloring. Though some historians disagree, the Texas longhorn is generally thought to have been created as a cross between the Spanish retinto (criollo) stock left in the United States by Spanish explorers and English cattle brought to Texas from southern and midwestern states in the 1820s and 1830s. In the late 1800s, the advent of barbed wire brought the open-range cattle boom to an end and allowed for more selective breeding of cattle. The leaner longhorn beef was not as attractive in an era where tallow was highly prized, and the longhorn’s ability to survive on often poor vegetation of the open range was no longer as much of an issue. Other breeds demonstrated traits more highly valued by the modern rancher, such as the ability to put on weight quickly. The Texas longhorn stock slowly dwindled until, in 1927, the breed was saved from sure extinction by enthusiasts from the United States Forest Service, who collected a small herd of stock to breed on a refuge in Oklahoma. Wikipedia

Tuli is a cattle breed that originated in Zimbabwe. It is closely related to the Tswana breed from Botswana. Tuli cattle have a small thoracic-cervico hump and are singularly colored: yellow, golden-brown or red. They have been exported to Argentina, Mexico, and the United States. In South Africa a composite of Tuli and Limousin cattle, named Tulim, recently has been developed. Wikipedia

Wagyu refers to several beef breeds of cattle genetically predisposed to intense marbling and a high percentage of oleaginous unsaturated fat. Also known as Kobe-style beef, the meat from Wagyu cattle is known worldwide for its increased quality, naturally enhanced flavor, tenderness, and juiciness. Thus its high market value: around $500 to $1000 a pound, or as high as $4000 for choice cuts. Wikipedia

The Welsh Black is a native British Breed descended from cattle of pre-Roman Britain in the rough mountain and hill country of Wales. Originally there were two distinct strains of Welsh Blacks, both known as dual-purpose animals; the compact, sturdy North Wales type and the bigger, rangier South Wales type. The successful intermingling of these types over the past century has resulted in an optimum-sized animal with an emphasis on beef production. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents

White Park cattle are an ancient breed, with a documented heritage of 1000-plus years, and references (in Irish sagas) twice as old. They generally are found only on rare-breed farms, but they do have potential as a beef animal. White Park cattle and Chillingham Cattle (a herd of wild bovids at Chillingham Castle in Northumberland, England) are thought to share certain common ancestry, from Roman occupation times or earlier. It is a mystery why both species are not only white, but never produce offspring with any deviant coloration. Wikipedia

Whitebread Shorthorns are bred mainly in the border counties of England and Scotland, and although the origin of the breed is somewhat obscure, it is likely that they were derived from the white dual purpose Shorthorn cattle locally known as the Cumberland Shorthorn. The Whitebred Shorthorn is a completely seperate breed from the Beef Shorthorn and Dairy Shorthorn. Whitebred Shorthorn Assoc.

Zebus, sometimes known as “humped cattle”, are better adapted to tropical environments than other domestic cattle. The Aurochs subspecies Bos primigenius namadicus or even the gaur may have contributed to the development of the zebus. There are some 75 known breeds, split about evenly between African and South Asian breeds. Because they were better adapted to hot environments, zebus were imported to Africa for hundreds of years and interbred with native cattle there. Genetic analysis of African cattle has found higher concentrations of zebu genes all along the east coast of Africa, and especially pure cattle on the island of Madagascar, implying that the method of dispersal was by ship. Wikipedia