Red Angus Cattle: A Resilient Breed with Premium Beef Quality

The Red Angus cow is a prominent breed of beef cattle known for its distinctive reddish-brown coat. Originating from the Scottish Aberdeen Angus population, the Red Angus is identical to its black-coated counterpart in all but color. This breed is particularly valued for its excellent meat quality, which is characterized by marbling and tenderness, making it a preferred choice in high-end beef markets.

Red Angus cattle are naturally polled, meaning they are born without horns, a desirable trait that enhances ease of handling and ensures safety for both the cattle and their handlers. The absence of horns reduces the risk of injury among the herd, contributing to more manageable and less stressful farming operations. Additionally, the breed's adaptability to various climates is noteworthy. The red coat, distinct from the black Angus, provides better heat tolerance, making Red Angus cattle particularly well-suited for warmer climates. This trait, combined with their overall hardiness, has enabled the breed to thrive in diverse environments, from the cooler regions of Scotland to the hotter climates of Australia and the United States.

The history of the Red Angus in the United States dates back to the early 20th century, with significant growth in popularity following the establishment of the Red Angus Association of America in 1954. The breed has since been recognized for its efficient feed conversion, reproductive performance, and overall resilience, making it a favored choice for beef producers. Red Angus cattle are often used in crossbreeding programs to introduce and enhance these desirable traits in other breeds, further solidifying their role in the beef industry.

In summary, the Red Angus cow is a robust and versatile breed that plays a significant role in the beef industry. Its unique characteristics, including superior meat quality, natural polling, adaptability, and hardiness, make it a valuable asset to cattle producers worldwide.
Red Angus Cattle: A Resilient Breed with Premium Beef Quality

History of Simmental breed cattle

The Simmental is among the oldest and most widely distributed of all breeds of cattle in the world numbering 40-60 million cattle, bred on 6 continents. The breed stretches back to the Middle Ages.

The earliest records indicate that upon creation of the Simmental, the breeds crossed were a primitive indigenous Swiss one and the German large cattle.

During the late Middle Ages, from about 1250 to 1350 AD, the cattle in central western Switzerland region were valued for their ability to do work and to produce milk and meat. By the early 1500s these “spotted cattle” could be found in alpine valleys reaching into Italy, Austria, France and Southern Germany.

By 1550, the breed had been crossed with native German breeds, producing cattle similar in type to today’s red and white Simmental.

The name Simmental cattle derives from the region where the cattle were originally bred – the “Simme Valley” located in “Bernese Oberland” region in Western Switzerland.

The first herd book of the breed was registered in the Swiss Canton of Berne in 1806, however there is evidence of large, productive "red and white" cattle being found much earlier in ecclesiastical and secular property records of Western Switzerland.

The first breeders’ organization was established in 1890 in Switzerland. Simmental cattle gradually made their way over to Russia, Africa, and South America and by the 1960’s they were spread worldwide.

In United States, Simmental were reported as early as 1887 in Illinois, according to one source; in 1895 in New Jersey; and in New York and New Mexico around the 1916-1920 period.
History of Simmental breed cattle

Jersey cattle in United States

Jersey cattle are the smallest of the dairy breeds in the United States. Jersey calves weight about 55 lb at birth. The Jersey breed was originated on the Isle of Jersey, which is located in the English Channel off the coast of France. It is not known what cattle were the source of the breeding stock that was developed into the Jersey breed.

Jersey cattle probably, first came to the United States in the 1815. The major importations occurred between 1870 an 1890.

The first Jersey cattle registered by the American Jersey Cattle Club were imported in 1850. It was brought to America by Samuel Henshaw. In that year several Jersey cattle were imported to Hartford, Conn, and in 1868 S.S. Stephens of Montreal, Canada, imported nine animals, from which have descended some of the most famous producers in the Jersey breed.

Since 1868 the importations were numerous until about 1890, and then few were brought over for several years.
Jersey cattle in United States

Small breed of Jersey cattle

The world-famous Jersey is easy to recognize with its dark dished face, light mealy muzzle halo, long-lashed doe-like eyes, general daintiness and attractive fawn-like calves.

Jersey cattle have milk that is high in fat and other solids and cows are small in stature (350-550 kg). The average milk production is low among dairy breeds.

The breed comes from the Channel Islands and it impressive spread and success literally all voer the world is all the more extraordinary when considering that the British dependency of Jersey, just off the French coast, is to tiny.

Importation of Jerseys into the United States began in the early 1800s. Except during times of war or disease outbreaks, importations have continued over the years.
Small breed of Jersey cattle

History of cattle in United States

Cattle are not native to the United States, Christopher Columbus brought cattle to the New World on his second voyage in 1493. Texas longhorn can be traced back when Christopher Columbus landed in Santo Domingo with Spanish cattle.

Cattle were essential to the survival of the Spaniards in Mexico; the animals furnished meat, leather, and tallow. Descendents of these cattle were brought to the United States from Mexico in 1521.

More cattle were brought by Portuguese traders in 1553. The English were the first to bring large numbers of cattle to the United States with the founding of the Jamestown colony in Virginia in 1611.

The first cattle imported into New England form England were those brought over in 1620 for the Massachusetts Bay Company.

About the same time the Danes imported cattle from Denmark into New Hampshire and the Swedes made importations from Sweden, in Delaware as early as 1630.

In 1821, Mexico gained independence, homesteaders and ranchers from the United States poured into Texas, bringing their cattle with them. When Texas won its independence from Mexico 15 years later, thousands more American began moving south.

In 1900 the vast majority of beef cattle in the United States of America were Shorthorn, Hereford or Angus. The first meat packing plant in America was founded by William Pynchon in 1640 near Springfield.
History of cattle in United States

Domestication of cattle

Cattle were the first domestic animas capable of pulling a plough. The earliest evidence for the domestication of cattle, during the 8,000 BC, points toward the marshland and forest of the Middle Euphrates Basin. 

Humped Zebu (Bos indicus) are believed to have been domesticated around 7000 to 8000 years ago, in the Indus Valley region of modern Pakistan.

Early man used cattle for draft, meat and milk. Cattle were also a measure of wealth.

Several breeds of domesticated cattle were known by 2500 B.C. An interesting frieze from Ur, dating from 3000 B.C, shows that cows were then milked from the rear.

About this same time the fattening of cattle by forced feeding was practiced in Egypt.

In the late nineteenth century, Eduard Hahn has argued that domestication of cattle emerged from religious practices based on awe, fear and admiration of the great bulls, which sometimes stood two meters at the withers.

Modern cattle are descendants of Bos taurus and Bos indicus. Bos taurus are domestic cattle that came from either the Aurochs or the Celtic Shorthorn.
Domestication of cattle