When you think of cattle, you think of herds of magnificent beasts thundering on the range. Think Ponderosa Ranch. Think Rawhide. The year 2009 saw the beef cattle genetics mapped, the first such livestock for which this remarkable milestone in molecular biological research was met. We eat their muscle as beef. We drink their milk and process it into butter, cheese and other dairy products. We use them on the farm as beasts of burden.
The earliest known cattle have been traced back more than 10,000 years ago to southeast Turkey, from a herd numbering only around 80 specimens. Today, their population numbers more than four times that of the United States of America, approximately 1.3 billion animals. In addition to their meat and dairy products, man has learned to convert their solid waste into fuel and their hides for clothing, handbags, etc.
One popular breed is the Angus, which originated from Aberdeenshire and Angus counties in the north of Scotland. Animals in this breed do not have horns on the head; another word for this is "polled." They are typically either solid black or red with matching udders. The most common Angus breed in the United States are the Black Angus. This is a particularly versatile breed, used for dairy, meat and as working animals.
France gave us the Limousin breed. Raised initially as working animals, about two hundred years ago they were discovered to produce lean, tender, high quality beef. One reason people like to breed these cows is because they give birth to small calves. This quality means they provide for easier births.
Japan gave us the Wagyu breeds. This meat is heavily marbled with highly desirable unsaturated fat. The feed of these cattle are sometimes flavored with beer or sake in an effort to aid digestion and to boost appetite during the hot, humid period of the year. In case you are wondering, these additives are not detectable in the final product.
Beefalo are a fertile hybrid between domestic cattle and an American bison, or buffalo. In these pairings, the male is usually the domestic representative while the bison is a female. These animals were bred for their hardiness in harsh winters. Unfortunately, nurturing the beefalo has had a negative effect on efforts to conserve the American bison. There are only four pure buffalo herds left; of these, only one herd is free from a disease called brucellosis. They live in South Dakota.
The Belgian Blue actually does have blue hair, albeit mottled with gray. It can vary along a spectrum from white to black. These animals are known for their ability to easily convert feed into lean, low-fat muscle. This characteristic is reflected in their stature.
Hereford cattle come from England and have spread to more than 50 different countries across the globe. The Brangus is a robust cross between an Angus and a Brahman. Lowline cattle come from Australia, originally from Aberdonian stock. These antipodean beasts are small by nature, which makes them ideal for young children to handle and show at county fairs and other exhibitions of farm animals.
The earliest known cattle have been traced back more than 10,000 years ago to southeast Turkey, from a herd numbering only around 80 specimens. Today, their population numbers more than four times that of the United States of America, approximately 1.3 billion animals. In addition to their meat and dairy products, man has learned to convert their solid waste into fuel and their hides for clothing, handbags, etc.
One popular breed is the Angus, which originated from Aberdeenshire and Angus counties in the north of Scotland. Animals in this breed do not have horns on the head; another word for this is "polled." They are typically either solid black or red with matching udders. The most common Angus breed in the United States are the Black Angus. This is a particularly versatile breed, used for dairy, meat and as working animals.
France gave us the Limousin breed. Raised initially as working animals, about two hundred years ago they were discovered to produce lean, tender, high quality beef. One reason people like to breed these cows is because they give birth to small calves. This quality means they provide for easier births.
Japan gave us the Wagyu breeds. This meat is heavily marbled with highly desirable unsaturated fat. The feed of these cattle are sometimes flavored with beer or sake in an effort to aid digestion and to boost appetite during the hot, humid period of the year. In case you are wondering, these additives are not detectable in the final product.
Beefalo are a fertile hybrid between domestic cattle and an American bison, or buffalo. In these pairings, the male is usually the domestic representative while the bison is a female. These animals were bred for their hardiness in harsh winters. Unfortunately, nurturing the beefalo has had a negative effect on efforts to conserve the American bison. There are only four pure buffalo herds left; of these, only one herd is free from a disease called brucellosis. They live in South Dakota.
The Belgian Blue actually does have blue hair, albeit mottled with gray. It can vary along a spectrum from white to black. These animals are known for their ability to easily convert feed into lean, low-fat muscle. This characteristic is reflected in their stature.
Hereford cattle come from England and have spread to more than 50 different countries across the globe. The Brangus is a robust cross between an Angus and a Brahman. Lowline cattle come from Australia, originally from Aberdonian stock. These antipodean beasts are small by nature, which makes them ideal for young children to handle and show at county fairs and other exhibitions of farm animals.
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