List of United States cattle breeds facts for kids

Cattle are amazing farm animals that give us milk, meat, and sometimes even help with farm work! There are many different types, called breeds, each with special features. Some cattle breeds were developed right here in the United States, while others came from different parts of the world and were then changed or improved by American farmers.

This article will tell you about some of these cool American cattle breeds. Each one has its own unique story and purpose!

Discovering American Cattle Breeds

Many cattle breeds have a long history. Some were brought to America by early settlers, and over time, they changed to fit the new environment. Other breeds were created by mixing different types of cattle to get the best qualities from each.

Popular Beef Breeds

Beef cattle are raised mainly for their meat. Farmers choose these breeds because they grow big and strong, producing lots of tasty beef.

American Angus

The American Angus is a very popular beef cattle breed. It's known for its excellent meat quality. These cattle are usually all black, but sometimes they can be red. They don't have horns, which makes them easier and safer to handle on farms. Angus cattle are strong and can live in many different climates.

American Angus cattle are known for their black coats and good meat.

American Brahman

The American Brahman is a unique beef breed that came from cattle originally from India. They are easy to spot because they have a large hump on their shoulders and loose skin around their neck and chest. This loose skin helps them stay cool in hot weather. Brahmans are very tough and can handle heat, insects, and diseases well. They are often used to create new breeds by mixing them with other types of cattle.

An American Brahman bull with its distinctive hump.

Beefmaster

The Beefmaster breed was created in Texas. It's a mix of three other breeds: Brahman, Hereford, and Shorthorn. Farmers wanted a cattle breed that was good at producing meat, could handle different environments, and was easy to manage. Beefmasters are known for being strong, fertile, and good at gaining weight.

Beefmaster cows are a mix of three breeds.

Texas Longhorn

The Texas Longhorn is one of the most famous American cattle breeds. They are known for their incredibly long horns, which can spread up to 7 feet wide! These cattle are very hardy and can survive in tough conditions, like the dry plains of Texas. They come in many different colors and patterns. Longhorns are a symbol of the American West.

A Texas Longhorn showing off its impressive horns.

Unique and Dairy Breeds

Not all cattle are raised for meat. Some are famous for their milk, while others have very special looks or histories.

American Milking Devon

The American Milking Devon is a very old breed that came to America from England. These cattle are special because they are "triple-purpose." This means they can be used for milk, meat, and even for pulling plows or carts! They are usually red and have strong, sturdy bodies.

An American Milking Devon cow resting.

Ankole-Watusi

The Ankole-Watusi cattle are truly amazing to look at! They are famous for their enormous, wide-spreading horns, which can be the largest of any cattle breed. These horns can grow to be several feet long. The Ankole-Watusi originally came from Africa, but they are now raised in America too. They are often kept for their unique appearance rather than for milk or meat.

An Ankole-Watusi with its incredibly large horns.

Dutch Belted

The Dutch Belted cattle are very easy to recognize because of their unique color pattern. They are mostly black (or sometimes red) with a wide, white band around their middle, like a belt! This breed came from the Netherlands but has been raised in America for a long time. They are known for producing good quality milk.

A Dutch Belted cow with its distinctive white "belt."

Holstein

The Holstein is the most common dairy cattle breed in the world, and certainly in the United States. They are famous for their black and white (or sometimes red and white) spotted coats. Holsteins produce a huge amount of milk, more than any other breed. They are the cows you most often see in pictures on milk cartons!

A classic black and white Holstein cow.

Images for kids

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  Beefalo are a mix of cattle and bison.

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  Brangus cattle are a mix of Brahman and Angus.

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  Brown Swiss cattle are known for their milk.

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  Corriente cattle are hardy and agile.

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  Florida Cracker cattle are tough and adapted to the local climate.

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  Pineywoods cattle are a heritage breed from the Southern U.S.

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  Randall Lineback cattle have unique color patterns.

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  Red Angus are a red version of the Angus breed.

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  Red Brangus cattle are a red mix of Brahman and Angus.

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  Santa Gertrudis cattle were developed in Texas.

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  Senepol cattle are known for their heat tolerance.