Livestock breeds

By:Faith Rappe
 Angus

The angus originates from northeastern scotland.The Angus is

naturally polled and solid black or red, though the udder may be
white.At their mature size they weigh 1,420 pounds.They are used
widely in crossbreeding to improve carcass quality and milking ability.
Angus females calve easily and have good calf rearing ability. They
are also used as a genetic dehorner as the polled gene is passed on
as a dominant characteristic.Angus cattle are naturally polled and
can be black or red in colour although black is the dominant colour,
white may occasionally appear on the udder.The Angus breed of
cattle is known for its ease of keeping.
 Horned Hereford
The horned Hereford was developed in Herefordshire, England in the mid
18th century.The Hereford colour is characteristic, with the body colour
varying from rust brown to a deep rich red. Face, crest, dewlap, underline,
switch and legs below the hocks are characteristically white.Mature males
may weigh up to 1,800 pounds, while mature females may weigh around
1,200.Many strains of Hereford have used other cattle breeds to import
desired characteristics, and this has led to changes in the breed as a
whole.Herefords generally have a deep rich red body with a white face,
crest, underside, socks and brush to tail.Hereford are also known for their
high libido, early puberty, fertility, ease of calving and excellent mothering
abilities.
Charolais
Charolais was developed in the district around Charolles in Central
France.The typical Charolais is white in colour with a pink muzzle and
pale hooves, horned, long bodied, and good milkers with a general
coarseness to the animal not being uncommon. There are now
Charolais cattle being bred black and red in colour.It is among the
heaviest of cattle breeds: bulls weigh from 1,000 to 1,650 kg (2,200 to
3,600 lb), and cows from 700 to 1,200 kg (1,500 to 2,600 lb).kept for beef
production and used for crossbreeding.Charolais are medium to large
framed beef cattle with a very deep and broad body.Charolais have
demonstrated growth ability, efficient feedlot gains and in carcass
cut-out values.
Brahman

Originated from the united states.Brahmans vary in colour from very

light grey or red to almost black. A majority of the breed are light to
medium grey. Mature bulls are normally darker than cows and usually
have dark areas on the neck, shoulders and lower thighs.Bulls will
generally weigh from 1600 to 2200 pounds and cows from 1000 to 1400
pounds in average condition.The Brahman is mainly used for
breeding and the meat industry.Brahmans are intelligent, inquisitive
and shy. They are unusually thrifty, hardy and adaptable to a wide
range of feed and climate. However, these characteristics also
suggest careful, kind handling methods. Brahmans like affection and
can become very docile.
 Simmental
Early records indicate that Simmental cattle were the result of a cross
between large German cattle and a smaller breed indigenous to
Switzerland.Simmental colour varies from gold to red with white, and may
be evenly distributed or clearly defined in patches on a white
background.Cows of this heavy dual-purpose type stand 138-144 cm at the
withers and weigh 700-900 kg and bulls stand 150-158 cm at the withers and
average 1,300 kg.The Simmental has historically been used for dairy and
beef, and as draught animals.The heavy muscling, length and overall size
and weight of the animal are combined to produce a well fleshed carcass
of solid red meat with a minimum of waste fat. In crossbreeding, the
Simmental has proved very successful. It provides good growth, a large
frame and thus a better beef yield to its crossbred progeny.
Texas Longhorn

Originated in texas.The Texas Longhorns colors are burnt orange and

white.bulls weigh 1400 - 2200 pounds, a cow weighs 600 - 1400 pounds,
and steers weigh 1400 - 2500 pounds.The Texas longhorn is a beef
animal and is known for its lean beef, which is lower in fat, cholesterol
and calories than most beef.Longhorns are very suttle, gentle,
intelligent animals. Traits were genetically fixed, and as a result of
survival of the fittest, resulted in ecologically adapted bovine families
with extremely good health, fertility, teeth, disease resistance, and
soundness of body and limb.
 Holstein
Holstein cows originated in the Netherlands approximately 2,000 years
ago.The breed comes in two color patterns, black and white or red and
white.A mature Holstein cow weighs about 1500 pounds and stand 58
inches tall at the shoulder.For many years, Holsteins were bred and
strictly culled to obtain animals which would make best use of grass, the
area's most abundant resource. The intermingling of these animals
evolved into an efficient, high-producing black-and-white dairy
cow.Holsteins are most quickly recognized by their distinctive colour
markings and outstanding milk production. Holsteins are large cattle
with colour patterns of black and white or red and white. A healthy
Holstein calf weighs 90 pounds or more at birth.
Jersey

The Jersey breed originated on the Island of Jersey, a small British

island in the English Channel off the coast of France.It is typically
light brown in colour, though this can range from being almost grey to
dull black, which is known as Mulberry.The average mature size for
Jerseys is approximately 1,000 pounds.The Jersey cattle are relatively a
small breed of dairy cattle which are raised primarily for milk
production.A true Jersey will however always have a black nose
bordered by an almost white muzzle.Jersey Cows produce 200,000
glasses of milk on average (during their lifetime).
 American Landrace

The various strains of Landrace swine are the descendants of the

famous Danish Landrace hogs that were developed in
Denmark.Landrace are white in colour.They can range in size from 50
pounds to 200 when they are fully mature; between 4 to 20 years.This
stock was to be used for swine research studies at agricultural
experiment stations, with the stipulation that this breed would not be
propagated as a pure breed for commercial use.The American Landrace
is a long, lean, white pig with 16 or 17 ribs. The head is long and narrow
and the ears large and heavy and hang forwards close to the snout. The
back is only slightly arched or is nearly flat. The side is even and
well-fleshed and the ham is plump but not over-fat.
 Duroc

The duroc originates from the united states.The color is often an

orangish-brown, but ranges from a light-golden shade to a deep
mahogany-red.Average live body weight of the mature sows is around
204-295 kg. And average live body weight of the mature boars vary from
227 to 340 kg.The breed started being used in shows around the 1950s.
Durocs are predominantly kept for their meat.Originally, the Duroc was
a very large pig, but not as large as was the Jersey Red. Today, it is a
medium-sized breed with a moderately long body and a slightly-dished
face.The ears are drooping and not held erect.
 Hampshire

The Hampshire hog as we know it today, originated in southern Scotland

and Northern England.Hampshire hogs are black with a white belt.The
boars are large, maturing to around 650 pounds. As is the case normally,
the sows mature at a smaller size of 550 pounds.Hampshire hogs are
noted for being well-muscled and rapid growers, and for exhibiting good
carcass quality when used as meat animals.The Hampshire, which is a
heavily muscled, lean meat breed, is the fourth most recorded breed of
the pigs in the United States.When used as breeding stock, the sows of
this breed have been praised for their capacity as mothers, having "extra
longevity in the sow".
Yorkshire

The yorkshire originated in the united states.Yorkshires are white in

color.The mature sows on average weight around 204-295 kg, And
average live body weight of the mature boars vary from 250 to 340
kg.Although originally a bacon breed, the Yorkshire rose to
prominence in the lean-meat category during the 20th century in the
United States.The American Yorkshire pig is a large animal.The
modern animals are muscular with a high proportion of lean meat.
Berkshire

Berkshire, breed of domestic pig originating in England.Almost

entirely black with white points on the feet, nose and tail.Berkshire
pigs are an average to large breed, with an average weight at maturity
of 600 lb (270 kg).The breed is used for fresh pork production in
England, Japan, North and South America, and other areas
worldwide.Very deep-sided with a strong, uniform arch of back and
muscular, firm build.Temperament: Excellent disposition.
 White Leghorn (Chicken)

The Leghorn is a breed of chicken originating in Tuscany, in central Italy.White

earlobes for this breed signal that they lay white eggs. Eyes are orange/red and the
beak is yellow colored. They have yellow skin and legs; the feet have 4 toes.Fully
grown Leghorn roosters weigh 3.4 kg, hens 2.5 kg, cockerels weigh 2.7–2.95 kg and
pullets 2–2.25 kg and for the bantams variety the maximum weight is 1.02 kg for the
roosters and 0.91 kg for hens.They are a productive egg layer, producing between
280-320 eggs each year, they are a decent meat bird, and also make a sprightly
garden pal!.Most Leghorns have single combs; a rose comb is permitted in some
countries, but not in Italy.As an adult, they're small, compact, quite skinny birds.
 White Plymouth Rock (Chicken)

This American breed originated in Massachusetts.As the name implies,

this variety of the Plymouth Rock Chicken has white feathering. These
chickens have a yellow skin color with yellow legs and beak, and red
facial coloring.At maturity, they weigh in at around 8 lbs.Known for both
its high-quality meat and its large brown eggs.Plymouth Rock are a good
general farm chicken. They are docile, while showing some broodiness.
 Rhode Island Red (Chicken)

The rhode island red originated in the united states.Rhode Island Reds
have red-orange eyes, reddish-brown beaks, and yellow feet and legs, often
with a bit of reddish hue on the toes and sides of the shanks. Chicks are a
light red to tan color.Rhode Island Red roosters will weigh between 8.5 to 9.5
pounds.The Rhode Island Red was developed as a dual-purpose breed, to
provide both meat and eggs.Rhode Island Red is one of the breeds which
has excellent exhibition qualities and good production abilities at the same
time. They have rectangular, relatively long bodies, typically dark red in
color.
 Broadbreasted Bronze (Turkey)

Brought by European colonists to the Americas and the eastern wild turkeys
they found upon their arrival.The name refers to its plumage, which bears
an iridescent bronze-like sheen.Measuring up to four feet in length, with a
six-foot wingspan. A full-grown tom will weigh in at about 38 pounds, hens
easily reach 22 pounds.The Bronze Broad Breasted turkey is an excellent
turkey to raise for family meat production and has an excellent feed to meat
conversion rate.They are long lived birds and mate naturally (but today they
have lost the ability to mate naturally due to their large size, and the Broad
Breasted variety that is in existence today is maintained entirely by artificial
insemination). They are relatively slow to grow.
Broadbreasted White (Turkey)

The Broad Breasted White turkey is a breed of domestic turkey from

United States.They are generally complete white in coloration with
pink legs, a black beards, and red carnucling.Males can average 45
pounds at maturity and females can average 25 pounds.The Broad
Breasted White Turkey is the most commonly used turkey for meat
production.The Broad Breasted White turkeys are large sized birds
and they have been bred for providing a meaty carcass with more
breast meat than any other turkey breeds.The poults or baby birds
are generally of yellow color.
Beltsville Small White (Turkey)

The Beltsville Small White turkey is a breed of domestic turkey which

was originated from the United States.The plumage is white, with the
head red to bluish white. The beard is black, the beak is horn colored,
and the eyes are dark brown.Beltsville Small White toms is around 7.7
kg. And the mature hen's average live body weight is around 4.5 kg.The
Beltsville Small White was developed to fill a clearly identified
consumer need.The Beltsville Small White turkey is a small to medium
sized bird with beautiful appearance.Traditional turkey breeds are
known for fast growth and high production.