How to Identify Cattle Breeds

Cattle exhibit many noticeably distinct characteristics. Paying attention to certain features aids in spotting cattle breeds. Cattle demonstrate different traits depending on their purpose. Dairy cattle are milk producers and Beef cattle produce beef products. Popular purebred breeds such as the Holstein or Angus are easily identifiable. Crossbred cattle display characteristics from two or more breeds. Identify different cattle breeds using the steps below.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Locate cattle by touring a rural area or ranch, or by visiting a cattle show.
2. Observe the conformation of the breed. Conformation or frame includes the height, weight, size and shape of the cattle.
3. Distinguish the type of breed. Dairy cattle are generally angular and wedge shaped. Dairy cows have large noticeable udders. Beef cattle are rectangular, stocky and muscular.
4. Notice the color and markings on the cattle. Colors include black, white, red, brown, dun and combinations. Look at the variations of markings, such as belts, spots, shading, nose color and white faces.
5. Look at the type of coat or hair. The hair can be curly, shaggy, smooth, sleek, long or short. Long shaggy hair in northern breeds protects the cattle from cold damp weather. A short sleek coat allows rapid cooling for warm climate.
6. Spot the features on the head. The head shape, angle, color, ears and eyes distinguish different breeds. Notice the length of horns. Polled cattle are hornless. Depending on the breed, polled are natural or mechanical.
7. Compile the characteristics of frame, color, markings, coat and head and determine the breed or breeds of origin. Crossbreeds have several breeds in their ancestry. Look for more than one breed and identify each one.