What are the most popular breeds of cattle?
South Carolina is a state with a rich history of cattle ranching. European settlers in the 1600s are credited with laying the foundation for the cattle ranching that has become a key part of South Carolina’s economy. Today, there are over 100,000 cattle farms in South Carolina, and the state ranks 13th in the nation in cattle production.
From Angus to Brown Swiss, there are almost as many breeds of cattle as there are cattle ranchers to be found across the state.
Some of the cattle breeds that abound in the hills of South Carolina include:
Top South Carolina cattle breeds…
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Angus: Angus cattle are one of the most popular breeds of beef cattle in the world. Originally from Scotland, Angus are known for their black coat, calm nature, and marbling that gives their meat excellent flavor.
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Red Angus cattle derived from the original Angus cattle brought to America. However, they carry a recessive gene for red hair that results in a red-coat color instead of black. Red Angus are also known for their ability to produce high-quality beef.
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Hereford: Hereford cattle are another popular breed of beef cattle. While some Hereford’s have horns, others do not but they are all known for their distinctive white faces, docile natures and ability to thrive in a variety of climates.
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Brahman: Brahman (also called Zebu) cattle are a heat-tolerant breed that is well-suited for beef production in hot climates. They have slightly floppy, longer ears and extra folds of skin on their necks that allows body heat to dissipate quickly. Brahman cattle usually tolerate flies better than other breeds of cattle.
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Charolais: Charolais cattle are a large white breed from France that is known for its rapid growth rate and heavy muscling. This makes the breed an excellent choice for beef production.Some Charolais have horns but the polled gene is becoming more popular among breeders of these cattle.
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Simmental: Simmental cattle are a versatile breed that originated in Switzerland and are known for their large size, docility, and their ability to produce high-quality milk that helps their calves grow rapidly after they are born.
- Shorthorn: Shorthorn cattle originated in England where they were sued for both milk and meat production. Over time, the breed diverged into two distinct types: the Beef Shorthorn and the Milking Shorthorn. Though originally, all Shorthorns were either red or red and white, black individuals are being bred here in South Carolina as well.
The “best” beef cattle for eating…..
Black Angus beef has become the most popular in many restaurants in recent years thanks to its well-marbled meat, which typically earns Prime or Choice grades from the USDA and is usually the highest-quality meat available in grocery stores. Based on marbling and other quality traits, beef can earn the status of “Certified Angus” which is known for excellent texture and taste. This certification has become a major marketing point for many restaurants around the world.
Cattle breeds that are best known for marbling:
When it comes to marbling, which refers to the intramuscular fat distributed throughout the meat, certain cattle breeds are better known than others. Marbling greatly influences the tenderness, juiciness, and flavor of beef, making it highly desirable for premium cuts and quality beef products. Some of the breeds best known for their marbling include:
- Wagyu: This breed is renowned for its high marbling content, especially the well-known Kobe beef and other regional varieties such as Matsusaka and Omi. Wagyu cattle are known for their genetic predisposition to produce very fine marbling, resulting in incredibly tender and flavorful beef. However, the breed is slow to mature to slaughter weight and the marbling is often not present until the animals reaches 28+ to 30 months of age.
- Angus: Angus cattle have been bred for many generations to enhance their marbling ability and are frequently used to add marbling to the offspring of other breeds.
- Akaushi: Also known as the Japanese Red, Akaushi is a breed that originated in Japan but has is also being raised in the United States. Like other Japanese breeds, Akaushi cattle possess exceptional marbling characteristics but are also slow to mature and deposit marbling into the muscle.
- It’s important to note that all breeds in the US are currently using marbling as a key trait in selecting breeding stock for beef production. Individuals can vary within a breed, but modern technology like ultrasound is allowing animals with the very best traits to be selected as breeding stock for beef production.
