The first beef breed developed in the United States, has played an important role not only in crossbreeding programs throughout the United States and beyond, but also has become a common thread connecting other American breeds developed in the last century. American Brahman influence in the beef industry is felt world-wide, and cattlemen on every continent seek their genetics. Their development is an unparalleled success story. Today’s cattlemen breed Brahmans for all the right reasons. Originating from a nucleus of approximately 266 bulls and 22 females of several Bos indicus (cattle of India) types imported into the United States between 1854 and 1926, today the Brahman breed has achieved acceptance for their environmental adaptivity, longevity, mothering ability and efficient beef production.
Senepol
In the 1800s N'Dama Cattle were imported to the Caribbean Island of St. Croix from Senegal, West Africa. The N'Dama, a Bos taurus breed, was well suited for the Caribbean because of its heat tolerance, insect & disease resistance and the ability to thrive on poor quality forage. By 1889 Henry C. Nelthropp's Grenard Estates was one of the largest N'Dama breeders with over 250 head, which he maintained as purebreds. In 1918, Red Poll genetics were introduced to the Nelthropp's N'Dama stock to improve milking ability, fertility and make the cattle polled. This blending of genetics proved quite successful, and formed the foundation of the Senepol breed. As more Red Poll influence was added, strict selection pressure was applied for early maturity & maternal efficiency, polled & solid red color, definite heat tolerance and gentle disposition. The isolation of St. Croix sheltered the Senepol breed from the fads that have constantly assaulted the U.S. purebred industry. While other breeds chased certain trends, only to turn and race just as fast in the opposite direction, Senepol's route was characterized by continued selection for animals that could perform and reproduce under the harsh St. Croix environment. From their beginnings, the island herds maintained genetics records, which grew into the Senepol breed registry in the late 1960s and the early '70s. On-farm performance testing began in the mid-1970s with the establishment of the Virgin Islands BCIA. In 1977 a plane carrying 22 Senepol cows left for the U.S. mainland; 20 years later, the Senepol Cattle Breeders Association recognizes over 500 breeders and more than 14,000 Senepol records. Today Senepol can be found thriving in 21 states & around the world in such countries as Venezuela, Mexico, Philippines, Zimbabwe, Brazil and many others where their tropically adapted production is needed.
Angus
Cattle originated in the rugged highlands of northern Scotland. In the counties or “shires” of Aberdeen and Angus. In many parts of the world today Angus cattle are still know as Aberdeen-Angus. The first Angus bulls were imported into the U.S. in 1873. Today, research shows that 60 % of all beef cow herds in the U.S. include Angus as the major cow breed or as one of the major cow breeds. The Angus advantages include convenience traits such as calving ease, no dehorning, nor cancer eye and no sunburned udders. Angus cows have excellent mother ability. Angus bulls with high maternal traits, low birth weight EPDs and moderate growth are used to produce replacement cows. In addition, bulls with extreme growth rates, but not necessarily top maternal traits, make excellent terminal sires on crossbred cows. Angus cattle set the standard for beef carcass quality which has led to the product identification program, certified Angus Beef that is known worldwide.
"There are many excellent breeds of beef cattle available for export. We show photos and provide descriptions of only three of those breeds. We encourage you to go to the OSU Breeds of Livestock web page to see the photos and descriptions of the other breeds of beef cattle as well as other species of livestock."