CHAPTER 1:

BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION

2. Beef Cattle Breeds,

Breeding and Reproduction
Domilito V. Bautista

College of Agriculture and Agri-Industries

Caraga State University
Ampayon, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Ph
OBJECTIVES
• Identify the different breeds of cattle.

• Understand what is breeding and its effects on improving the

qualities of beef cattle.

• Understand the different breeding system of beef cattle.

• Assess the reproductive phenomena in breeding beef cattle.

• Identify some indicators of good breeding performance

BEEF CATTLE BREEDS, BREEDING AND
REPRODUCTION
I. Breeds of Cattle
II. Beef Breeding
III. Breeding System
IV. Reproduction
V. Breeding Methods
VI. Indicators of Good Breeding Performance
I. BREEDS OF CATTLE
MODERN CATTLE DESCENDANTS AND BREEDS
A. Aurochs (Bos primigenius)
Centers of domestication were Eastern
Europe, Middle Asia, and Southeast
Asia. India thought to be homeland of
primitive cattle that expanded to
Eurasia and North Africa
Characterized by great variety of forms
Domesticated during stone age, about
10,000 BC from wild ox
MODERN CATTLE DESCENDANTS AND BREEDS
B. Auroch-related species:
Yach (Poephagus grunniens) – from mountains of Tibet,
middle Asia, and south Siberia
Bos banteng (Bali cattle) and B.frontalis (gayal) – from India,
Malay archipelago and Indochina, particularly Burma
MODERN CATTLE DESCENDANTS AND BREEDS
C. Modern cattle – family Bovine, genus Bos
1. Bos taurus - European origin such as Shorthorn or Jersey,
without humps, from temperate zones, others include
Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Limousine, Blonde de
Aquitaine
2. Bos indicus – Indian (Zebu) or African origin such as the
Brahman or Afrikander, with humps, from tropical zones,
others include: Indu-Brazil, Wagyu, Senepol, Red Sindhi,
Tharparkar, Sahiwal
MODERN CATTLE DESCENDANTS AND BREEDS
C. Modern cattle – family Bovine, genus Bos
3. Crosses of the two: Sta Gertrudis (5/8 Shorthorn, 3/8
Brahman), Brangus (3/8 Brahman, 5/8 Angus), Braford,
Brahorn.
MODERN CATTLE DESCENDANTS AND BREEDS
D. There are 277 identifiable breeds worldwide:
 33 beef breeds
 18 draft
 39 meat-draft
 54 meat-dairy
 21 dairy-draft
 61 meat-dairy-draft
 51 dairy breeds
BRITISH BREEDS
 ANGUS
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Black cattle (occasionally a spot of white

at rear or belly); genetically polled; often
crossed with larger, heavily muscled
cattle; popular for meat quality, fast
finishing, lack of horns and maternal
qualities.

HISTORY:
Originally produced by crossing cattle native to Aberdeenshire and Angus
countries in Scotland.
 RED ANGUS
COLOR AND
CHARACTERISTIC:
Red

HISTORY:
Became its own breed in the
mid-1900s
GALLOWAY
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Black red, brown, white (black ears, muzzle,
feet and teats) or belted (black with white
midsection); polled; very hardy; heavy winter
hair coat; shed in moderate heat, leaving
enough hair to protect against biting insects;
long-lived; cows often produce calves until age
15-20; calves born easily due to small size but
grow fast

HISTORY:
Introduce to Scotland by the Vikings; First brought to US from Canada in 1866.
 HEREFORD
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Red body; white face, feet, belly,

flanks, crest and tail switch; the body
color ranges from cherry to
mahogany-red; large frame and good
“bone” (heavier bones than many
breeds).

HISTORY:
Produced by crossing red, white-faced Dutch cattle with small Black
English cattle.
 SHORTHORN
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Maybe red, roan, white, or red and

white spotted; good udders and good
milk production; calves born small
(hence few calving problems) but grow
large quickly; well-muscled beef
animal

HISTORY:
Originated in the north of England as
dairy breed. Also called Durham.
CONTINENTAL BREEDS
 CHAROLAIS
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

White, thick-muscled cattle. Bulls

often bred to cows of other breeds to
create outstanding crossbred beef
calves.

HISTORY:
Originated in central France as draft
animals, then bred for beef. In the
1900s, US cattlemen discovered the
value of Charolais for crossbreeding.
CHIANINA
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

White; largest cattle in the world; may

mature to 6 feet at shoulder and
4,000 pounds. Often used for
crossbreeding to add size to other
cattle.

HISTORY:
Originally developed as a draft
animal.
 GELBVIEH

COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Light tan to golden; fast-growing;

heifers mature more quickly than any
other Continental breeds.

HISTORY:
Native to Austria and West Germany.
First used for draft, meat and milk
 LIMOUSIN
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Light tan to golden; fast-growing;

heifers mature more quickly than any
other Continental breeds.

HISTORY:
Native to Austria and West Germany.
First used for draft, meat and milk
 NORMANDE
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Medium sized; dual-purpose; black and

white; noted for fast growth, good carcass
quality, fertility and calving ease.

HISTORY:
Originated from cattle brought to Normandy
by Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries. Now
their greatest numbers are in South America,
where there are more than 4 million
purebreds and countless crossbreds.
 PIEDMONTESE
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Light-colored; medium frame, double-

muscled cattle; noted for exceptionally
tender meat and more total meat on the
carcass than other breeds.

HISTORY:
Originated in Piedmont region of
northwestern Italy 25,000 years ago, as
a mix of Bos Taurus and Bos indicus
(Zebu) cattle.
 PINZGAUER

COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Medium sized; dual purpose; red

and white with white topline and
white belly stripe including front to
back legs.

HISTORY:
Originated in Austria in the 1600s.
 SIMMENTAL

COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Yellow-brown with white

markings; famous for rapid
growth and milk production.

HISTORY:
Originated in western
Switzerland; eventually imported
to all six continents.
AMERICAN BREEDS
 AMERICAN BRAHMAN
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Different colors; large hump over neck and

shoulders, loose floppy skin on dewlap and
belly, large droopy ears, and horns that curve
up and back. Tolerant of heat and resistant to
ticks and other hot-climate insects. Large
cattle but calves are very small at birth, HISTORY:
growing rapidly on rich milk. Rich full maturity Developed in the Southwest from
more slowly than British breeds and do not several strains of Indian cattle imported
become sexually fertile as early. between 1854 and 1926, and from
imports from Brazil.
 BEEF MASTER
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Varied colors; horned or polled.

Heat tolerant, good beef
production..

HISTORY:
Produced in the 1930s by
crossing Brahman, Shorthorn
and Hereford.
 BRAFORD
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Red; horned; heat-tolerant; good

beef production.

HISTORY:
Produced by crossing Brahman
with Hereford.
 BRAHMASIN
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Red; horned; heat-tolerant; good beef production..

HISTORY:
Produced by crossing Brahman with Limousin.
 BRANGUS

COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Black; polled; heat-tolerant; good

beef production.

HISTORY:
Produced by crossing Brahman with
Angus.
 CHARBRAY
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

White or cream-colored; horned;

heat-tolerant; good beef
production.

HISTORY:
Produced by crossing Brahman with
Charolais.
GELBRAY
COLOR AND
CHARACTERISTICS:

Red; horned; heat-tolerant;

good beef production.

HISTORY:
Produced by crossing Brahman
with Gelbvieh.
 SANTA GERTRUDIS

COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Red, with horns or polled; heat-

tolerant; good beef production.

HISTORY:
Produce roughly 1910-1930 on the
King ranch in Texas by crossing
Brahman with Shorthorn.
 TEXAS LONGHORN
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Moderate size with very long horns;

known for calving ease, hardiness,
long life, and fertility; less muscling
than most beef breeds.

HISTORY:
Descended from wild cattle left by
Spanish settlers in the American
Southwest.
OTHER BREEDS
 MURRAY GRAY
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Silver-gray; moderate size; good disposition;

fast-growing calves. Calves are small and easily
born; often grow to 700 pounds at weaning.

HISTORY:
When an Australian rancher bred a Shorthorn
cow to Angus bulls, she produced gray calves
(12 of them within 1905 to 1917); they were
the start of the breed.
 WAGYU
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Small-framed; red or black; noted for

excellent meat quality.

HISTORY:
Ancestors were imported into Japan
in the 2nd century to cultivate rice
fields; they were later crossed with
other imported breeds.
 BRAHMAN
COLOR AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Characterized by a pronounced hump, excessive skin

on dewlap and underline, large droopy ears and
horns which tend to curve downward and outward.
The color ranges from near white through brown,
brownish-red and near black. It is heat tolerant,
drought resistant and resistant to ticks and other
parasites.

HISTORY:

Originated from India. Its popularity ranges to Central and South America, the gulf coast
regions of the US especially Texas and Florida, parts of Europe and Asia, especially Philippines
and Thailand.
II. BEEF BREEDING
BREEDING
 is defined as the controlled propagation of cattle to improve
qualities desirable to the farmer.

Modern goal:
To develop types that will meet market demands
Be productive under adverse climatic condition
Efficient in converting feeds to animal product
BREEDING
*Variations due to Genetics and Environment
Cattle traits are either qualitative or quantitative.
Qualitative traits show discontinuous variations
Coat color
Horned or polled
Certain blood characteristics (Blood types; Presence or
absence of particular enzymes)
BREEDING
Quantitative traits show continuous variations between the
extremes. The mean types among the characteristics are most
frequent to change. These are:
growth rate
body measurement at maturity
milk yield
milk composition
Such traits are influenced by many genes, with each gene
exerting relatively small effect. Environmental factors are
responsible for a considerable part of the variation.
 BREEDING
It is possible to establish the fraction of total variation in the
population that is caused by the additive effect of the genes. This
fraction is known as heritability.

A heritability of 1.00 show that all variations observed in the

population of the traits is determined by genetics
A heritability of 0.00 means that it is entirely due to environment
A heritability of 0.50 means that the variation is equally due to
genetics and environment
 BREEDING
Some heritability estimates in beef cattle and others (for
comparative purposes only):
• Beef
ADG (from weaning to slaughter) = 0.40
• Dairy
fat and protein content of milk = 0.55
• Merino sheep
daily weight gain from weaning to slaughter
- Group = 0.30
- Individual = 0.60
• Chicken
egg size = 0.60
BEEF BREEDING

GENERALLY , heritability is
very low for fertility and
resistance to infectious
disease and high for growth
rate, body size at maturity
and composition of milk.
III. BREEDING SYSTEM
BREEDING SYSTEM
- Defined as several types of mating to combine desirable
qualitative and quantitative characteristics through mating
systems which are planned or random.
- Either inbreeding or crossbreeding.

 Random mating (or unplanned) – this means each

possible mating in a population has the same probability
or occurrence. Normally used in breeding experiments
to minimize genetic changes in a control population
wherein selected populations are controlled.
 BREEDING SYSTEM
1. Inbreeding
- matings of closely related individuals within a breed.
- Done to increase homozygousity and decrease heterozygousity
of the inbred
 BREEDING SYSTEM
1. Inbreeding
a) Close breeding
 Mating of close relatives e.g. father-daughter; son-
mother; brother-sister
 When the male matures and breeds the dam or
mother, then this is close breeding. Or if the F1 is a
female and once mature is bred to the sire, then this
is close breeding.
 BREEDING SYSTEM
1. Inbreeding
b) Line breeding
 Breeding of not so close relatives, e.g. cousins.
 This is a form of mild inbreeding designed to
concentrate the genes of a certain ancestor of the
genetic constitution of the progeny.

c) Strain breeding
 a very mild form of inbreeding which leads to increase
homozygousity within the strain in the long term
BREEDING SYSTEM
Effects of Inbreeding
• Marked decrease in fertility
• Reduces vigor
• Decrease in growth rate of offspring
• Reduce viability of offspring
 BREEDING SYSTEM
2. Crossbreeding
- mating of individuals from two or more established purebreds
- to increase heterozygousity
- to take advantage of hybrid vigor or heterosis
o Hybrid vigor is defined as the average quality of the first
generation exceeding the average of the two parental
breeds.
o Heterosis is displayed mainly in the fitness traits, fertility
and viability.
 BREEDING SYSTEM
2. Crossbreeding
a) Systematic crossbreeding
– two or more breeds are involved in a breeding program
lasting several years.
 BREEDING SYSTEM
2. Crossbreeding
b) Upgrading
- the mating of purebred sires to nondescript or native
females and their offspring generation after generation.
IV. REPRODUCTION IN BEEF CATTLE
Estrous Cycle
Begins at puberty which continues to occur in a regular
pattern when the female is not pregnant throughout her
active reproductive life.

Hypothalamus – major role: control the estrous cycle

Estrous cycle has 4 phases - influenced by the gonadotropic

hormones of the Anterior Pituitary and the hormone
secreted by the ovary.
 Estrous Cycle
Environmental Influences and Hormone Control:
Environmental:
1. Daylight – important in initiating and terminating
reproductive activity in seasonal breeders
2. Developmental and social factors – like presence and
absence of male can modify the onset and duration of
sexual activity. Also age, health, internal environmental
factors etc.
 Estrous Cycle
Environmental Influences and Hormone Control:
Hormonal:
1. Hormone releasing factors- signal from hypothalamus.
2. FSH and LH – released from anterior pituitary gland in cyclic
manner.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
-responsible for development of ovarian follicles.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- causes ovulation of matured follicle containing the
egg.
 Estrous Cycle
Environmental Influences and Hormone Control:
Hormonal:
3. Estrogen- released from ovarian follicle which developed and
become an endocrine gland. Has multiple effects:
a. Causes behavioral estrus
b. Acts in feedback mechanism on the hypothalamus, so that at
the proper time, the AP is caused to release LH.
4. After ovulation, ruptured follicle develops a yellow body
called Corpus Luteum (CL) which becomes an endocrine gland-
secreting progesterone
Estrogen
 acts on the development of mammary ducts, and
sensitize and increase the vascular supply of the
uterus.
 associated with secretion of pheromones at pro and
estrus

Progesterone
 causes the growth of mammary glands by
developing the lobule-alveolar system, and the
progestational growth of the uterus.
Species Variation in Estrous Cycle Characteristics
Copulation and Ovulation

 The female sexual receptivity is closely synchronized with

ovulation.

 The event so timed to effect fertilization of the sperm and

the egg.
 Copulation and Ovulation

Kinds of Ovulators:

1. Induced or Reflex (Rabbit and Cat)

 Females ovulate only in response to mating If no mating
happens, mature ovulation follicles regress.
 Ovulation can be caused by:
- Mounting of another female
- Intromission of instrument
- Genital stimulation
 Copulation and Ovulation

Kinds of Ovulators:

2. Spontaneous (cows, sows and other farm mammals)

 Eggs is released at a certain stage of the cycle
 Copulation is not required for ovulation, the presence of
the male of the species stimulate or increase the:
-Promptness of ovulation
-Proportion of fertilized eggs
-Likelihood of successful implantation
“NOSING” may cause:

1. LH release
2. Oxytocin release - increase sperm transport and the
number of sperm reaching the site of fertilization (ampulla
of the oviduct for most farm mammals).
3. In male, may improve the quality of ejaculate, similar to
the effect of false mounting.
Silent Heat or Quiet Ovulation
•Ovulation not accompanies by clear signs of sexual
receptivity, common in young and virgin females (heifers).

•To overcome this problem use of vasectomized bulls –

identify those who mounted by them.
Effect of Removal of Gonads in Bulls
 Maintenance of sex drive observed after castration may be due
to secretion of androgen from the adrenal gland (cortex). The
continues sexual activity of the experienced castrates could be
attributed to:

1. Substitute secretion of androgen from the adrenal

cortex, and
2. Psychological factor ( learned/acquired habit)
General Hormone Effects in Male
 Androgen causes the development and maintenance of the
secondary sexual traits of males during adolescence and for
activity of mating behavior beginning from puberty.

 Androgen can cause the production of pheromones by glands

and tissues
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOMENA
Sexual maturity = 6-8 months
Estrous cycle = 18-24 days (21 days average)
Estrus duration:
 Exotic/Europian breeds = 14-18 hours
 Indigenous/Zebu = 10-12 hours
Ovulation = 10-14 hours after end of estrus
Parturition = average 283 days
 REPRODUCTIVE PHENOMENA
A bull ejaculates about 2-12 ml of 500 or more sperm cells per ml
The sperm cells survive the oviduct up to a maximum of 48 hours
 Many sperm cells reach the oviduct in 6 to 7 hours after
deposition in the vagina
 There are many thousand egg cells produced by the female
but those released are very few. One mature egg cell is
released at any time.
 One egg cell is fertilized by one sperm cell at the oviduct
(fallopian tube)
SIGNS OF ESTRUS
Mount others
Reddening and swelling of the vulva
Mucous discharge
Isolates herself
Seem sickly and has no appetite
Frequent urination, restlessness and sometimes bellowing
or mooing
Standing still when mounted (the only reliable or true sign
of estrus; estrus is defined as the period of sexual
receptivity of the female to the male)
Due to the reproductive
phenomena in both male and
female cattle, a simple
guideline is adopted when
artificial insemination (AI) is
practiced.
THUS, Females observed in estrus in
the morning, are inseminated late in
the afternoon of the same day. Those
observed in the afternoon, are
inseminated not later than noon the
next day.
V. BREEDING METHODS
NATURAL METHOD
Conventional use of bull to impregnate a heifer or cow
HANDMATING
A bull in good condition can serve 3-4 times/week or one
service every other day:
 18 months old – 1:12-15
 2 years old – 1:20-25
 3 years old – 1:40-50
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
Process of fertilization in the female without the benefit of
sexual contact between male and females
Modern reproduction techniques that multiply the capacity
of superior male or female.
In AI, semen collected is diluted, and preserved in liquid N2
(-1960C). Estrus of females can be manipulated/ synchronized
with Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α).

“Females in estrus in the AM are inseminated late PM on that

day, and those in estrus in the PM are inseminated in the AM
the next day”(AM-PM Rule)”
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
EMBRYO TRANSFER
ET involves super-ovulation, AI, & embryo collection.

The embryos are cryo-preserved or stored in liquid nitrogen

(LN2) and transferred to synchronized surrogate dams.
Breeding Practices for Cattle

 Breed heifers at 18-20 months old or weighing 220 to 250 kg.

 Milking cows are re-bred 60-90 days after calving (for
Involution). A general guide is to breed on second heat after
calving.
 Keep animals in heat away from the rest of the herd.
 Breed bulls at 18 months old or weighing 280 kg. At the
recommended age or weight for breeding, limit the frequency
of service to two times per week. At the age of 3 years, the bull
may be used five times a week.
 An oversized bull should not be allowed to serve a small heifer
or cow.
VI. INDICATORS OF GOOD BREEDING
PERFORMANCE
 CONCEPTION RATE (PREGNANCY)
Percent of breeding females that conceived versus the total
exposed females

For Example:
Pregnant = 65
Exposed = 100
A 65% AI rate is very high, an 85-90% natural rate is exceptional
% (90 OR 120 DAY) NON- RETURNS

Percent of breeding females confirmed pregnant at 90 or 120

days, by pregnancy diagnosis, versus the total exposed females.
This is similar to conception rate.
CALVING RATE

Percent of breeding females that give birth versus the total

exposed females.
CALVING INTERVAL
the average length of time (in days) between successive calving.

can be calculated for each cow or the entire herd.

one year is ideal, 18 months is common.

FIRST HEAT AFTER PARTURITION

The occurrence of estrus after giving birth to a young, first heat is

related to calving interval.
REFERENCES
Damron, W.S. (2003). Introduction to Animal Science. Prentice Hall, New
Jersey. 812pp.

PNS/BAFPS 60:2008 Code of Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP)

PNS/BAFPS 07:2003 Organic agriculture – Specification Part 3: Livestock

Taylor, R.E. & Field, T.G. (1999). Beef Production and Management
Decision. Prentice Hall, New Jersey. 714pp.

Thomas, H. S. (2018). Storey’s guide to raising beef cattle, 4th edition.

Storey Publishing, 2010 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247. p 1-
11.
THANK
YOÜ!