The Most Popular Breed of Beef Cattle in the United States, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the breed you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:31
In the sprawling pastures across the United States, beef cattle are a common and essential sight, integral to both agricultural economy and culinary preference. Farmers and ranchers pay close attention to the breeds they raise, as each breed possesses unique characteristics that can affect both the quality and quantity of the beef produced. This makes the choice of breed not just a practical decision but also a significant economic one that can influence market trends and farming practices.
For consumers and culinary experts, the popularity of different beef cattle breeds can guide decisions about meat quality, flavor, and cooking methods. By engaging in voting for their favorite cattle breed, individuals have a direct impact on real-time rankings that reflect current preferences and trends across the country. This interactive and dynamic way of ranking helps in highlighting the breeds that excel in various categories, promoting informed choices among stakeholders.
What Is the Most Popular Breed of Beef Cattle in the United States?
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174votesThe Angus breed is the most popular beef cattle breed in the United States due to its high-quality meat and ease of raising. They are known for their marbling, which contributes to the tenderness and flavor of the meat.Angus is a widely recognized breed of beef cattle, known for its superior meat quality and adaptability. The breed originated in Scotland and was developed by a man named Hugh Watson during the early 19th century. Angus cattle are medium-sized with a solid black color and a smooth coat.
- Size: Medium
- Color: Black
- Coat: Smooth
- Meat Quality: Superior
- Adaptability: High
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237votesHereford cattle are known for their hardiness and adaptability to different climates. They produce lean meat with a mild flavor, making them a popular choice for beef production.The Hereford is a popular breed of beef cattle known for its adaptability, hardiness, and excellent meat quality. It originated in the early 19th century in Herefordshire, England.
- Size: Medium to large
- Weight: Mature cows: Around 1,400 to 1,600 pounds (635 to 725 kg), Mature bulls: Around 2,200 to 2,500 pounds (998 to 1134 kg)
- Color: Reddish-brown body with a white face, chest, and underline
- Horns: Polled (naturally hornless) or horned
- Temperament: Gentle and docile
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324votesThe Simmental breed is known for its excellent beef quality and high growth rate. They are also known for their large size and docile temperament, making them easy to handle.Simmental is a highly popular breed of beef cattle known for its excellent meat quality and high growth rate. Originating from Switzerland, it was first developed in the Simme Valley, which is believed to have given the breed its name. Simmental cattle are known for their distinctive red and white or tan and white coloration, although solid black individuals can also be found. With their attractive appearance and superior beef production capabilities, Simmental cattle have gained global recognition and are widely raised for both meat and milk production.
- Weight: Cows: 1,200-1,400 kg, Bulls: 1,500-1,800 kg
- Height: Cows: 150-155 cm, Bulls: 160-170 cm
- Coloration: Red and white or tan and white, occasionally black
- Body Type: Medium to large, muscular frame with a broad chest
- Meat Quality: Marbled, tender, and flavorful
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419votesCharolais cattle are known for their large size and muscular build, making them popular for beef production. They are also known for their fast growth rate and high feed efficiency.The Charolais is a breed of beef cattle known for its impressive size, muscular build, and efficient meat production. Originating in France, it has become one of the most popular beef cattle breeds in Georgia and worldwide.
- Size: Charolais cattle are known for their large size, with bulls typically weighing between 1,800 to 2,500 pounds (800 to 1,134 kilograms) and cows between 1,200 to 1,800 pounds (544 to 816 kilograms).
- Muscular Build: Charolais cattle have a prominent musculature, giving them a heavily muscled appearance and contributing to their efficient meat production.
- Meat Quality: Charolais beef is favored for its tenderness, marbling, and excellent meat flavor. It is highly regarded for its high-quality meat production.
- Adaptability: Charolais cattle are adaptable to different environmental conditions and can thrive in various climates, including the rugged terrains of Georgia.
- Fertility: Charolais cows are known for their high fertility rates, leading to good calving rates and efficient reproduction.
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520votesThe Limousin breed is known for its lean meat and efficient feed conversion. They are also known for their hardiness and adaptability to different environments.The Limousin is a popular breed of beef cattle in Georgia known for its exceptional meat quality and high growth rate. It originated in the Limousin and Marche regions of France and has gained worldwide recognition for its efficiency in converting feed into meat. The breed was first imported to the United States in the late 1960s and has since become one of the most prevalent beef cattle breeds in Georgia.
- Size: Large but not excessively heavy
- Color: Golden red to light wheat
- Horns: Generally polled, but some individuals may have horns
- Muscling: Well-muscled with a deep and broad chest
- Adaptability: Highly adaptable to various climatic and environmental conditions
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69votesGelbvieh cattle are known for their good temperament and high fertility rates. They produce lean meat with a mild flavor, making them popular for beef production.Gelbvieh is a popular breed of beef cattle known for its exceptional meat quality and versatility. It originated in Germany and has gained popularity worldwide, including in Georgia. The Gelbvieh breed was created by German cattle breeders who aimed to develop a cattle breed with superior growth rates, good muscle development, and high fertility.
- Color: The Gelbvieh can range in color from golden red to dark red.
- Size: Mature Gelbvieh bulls can weigh between 2,000 and 2,500 pounds, while mature cows typically weigh between 1,200 and 1,500 pounds.
- Growth Rate: Gelbvieh calves exhibit excellent growth rates, making them efficient in converting feed into meat.
- Fertility: The breed is known for its high fertility rates, making it popular among breeders.
- Temperament: Gelbvieh cattle have a calm and docile temperament, which makes them easier to handle and manage.
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710votes
Yathin S Krishnappa · CC BY-SA 3.0Red Angus cattle are a variation of the Angus breed, known for their high-quality meat and ease of raising. They are also known for their adaptability to different environments.Red Angus is a breed of beef cattle characterized by its red coat color. It is known for its high-quality meat and adaptability to various climates and environments. The breed was created by crossing Aberdeen Angus cattle with red-colored Shorthorn cattle.- Average Weight: 800 to 1,200 kilograms
- Coat Color: Red
- Temperament: Docile
- Maternal Instinct: High
- Feed Efficiency: Good
Red Angus in other rankings- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular breed of beef cattle in Georgia
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85votesBrahman cattle are known for their adaptability to hot and humid environments. They are also known for their hardiness and disease resistance, making them popular in areas with high disease pressure.The Brahman is a popular breed of beef cattle in Georgia, known for its superior adaptability to hot and humid climates. It originated in the United States and was developed by crossbreeding various Indian cattle breeds with European breeds. The Brahman breed was first recognized in the early 1900s and has since gained widespread popularity due to its desirable characteristics.
- Adaptability: The Brahman is well adapted to hot and humid climates, making it well-suited for Georgia's climate.
- Heat tolerance: Brahmans have a higher tolerance for heat compared to other breeds, allowing them to thrive in Georgia's hot summers.
- Disease resistance: These cattle exhibit strong disease resistance, minimizing health risks and reducing the need for veterinary interventions.
- Drought tolerance: Brahmans are highly resistant to drought conditions, making them ideal for areas with limited water resources.
- Longevity: They have a longer average lifespan compared to other breeds, ensuring a longer productive life for the cattle.
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94votesBeefmaster cattle are a hybrid breed created by crossing Hereford, Shorthorn, and Brahman cattle. They are known for their hardiness, adaptability, and disease resistance, making them popular in areas with harsh environments.The Beefmaster is a breed of beef cattle that is known for its superior beef production and versatility. It is highly popular in the United States due to its desirable traits.
- Size and Weight: Large, with cows weighing around 1,000 to 1,300 pounds and bulls weighing around 1,800 to 2,200 pounds.
- Color: Varies, but often includes a mixture of red, brown, and white markings.
- Horned/Polled: Horned or polled (naturally hornless) individuals can be found.
- Appetite: They have a strong foraging instinct and are known for their excellent feed conversion.
- Adaptability: They are well-suited for various climates and can thrive in different regions throughout the United States.
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102votesShorthorn cattle are known for their high-quality meat and docile temperament. They are also known for their adaptability to different environments, making them popular in many regions of the United States.The Shorthorn is a breed of beef cattle known for its dual-purpose capabilities and excellent meat quality. It is highly popular in Georgia due to its adaptability to various climates and its ability to thrive on a range of forage types. The Shorthorn is characterized by its distinctive red, white, or roan coat coloration, and it is renowned for its calm temperament and ease of handling.
- Origin: England
- Size: Medium to large
- Coat Color: Red, white, or roan
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
- Feed Efficiency: Good
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Ranking factors for popular breed
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Breed populationThe overall population of a particular breed in the United States can be an indicator of its popularity. The larger the population, the more likely it is to be considered popular.
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Beef qualityThe quality of the beef produced by a specific breed, in terms of taste, tenderness, and marbling, is an important factor when determining popularity.
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Market demandThe demand for a particular breed and the cuts of meat it produces can contribute to its popularity. This can be influenced by factors such as consumer tastes and preferences, market trends, and regional differences.
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AdaptabilityA breed's ability to adapt to different climatic conditions and environmental factors can contribute to its popularity. This includes factors such as heat tolerance, resistance to disease, and ability to forage on a variety of terrains.
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Reproductive efficiencyA breed's ability to reproduce efficiently, such as shorter calving intervals or higher conception rates, can contribute to its popularity among producers.
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Growth rate and feed efficiencyThe rate at which a breed grows and how efficiently it converts feed into muscle can be important factors when determining popularity. Faster growth rates and better feed efficiency can lead to lower production costs for farmers and ranchers.
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TemperamentA breed's temperament, including factors such as docility and ease of handling, can contribute to its popularity. Breeds that are easy to work with and manage may be more popular among producers.
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Carcass characteristicsThe characteristics of a breed's carcass, such as yield and cutability, can impact its popularity. Breeds that produce higher-yielding and more desirable carcasses may be more popular among both producers and consumers.
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Economic factorsThe economic value of a breed, including factors such as market prices, revenue generation, and profitability, can contribute to its popularity.
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Breed associations and marketingThe efforts and success of breed associations in promoting and marketing their respective breeds can have an impact on breed popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular breed of beef cattle in the United States. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or breed is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1495 views
- 203 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each breed once every 24 hours. The rank of each breed is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular breed of beef cattle in the united states
Beef cattle are an essential part of the US agriculture industry, with millions of cattle raised and processed every year. While there are many breeds of beef cattle, some are more popular than others. According to recent data, the most popular breed of beef cattle in the United States is the Angus. Known for their marbled meat and high-quality beef, Angus cattle make up more than half of all beef cattle raised in the country. Other popular breeds include Hereford, Charolais, and Simmental, each with their own unique characteristics and benefits. Understanding the different breeds of beef cattle can help consumers make informed choices about the meat they eat, and can also be helpful for farmers and ranchers looking to maximize their profits through breeding and raising high-quality cattle.
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