Texas show steers are not always purebred. When entered in a specific class, the animal needs to match the criteria set for that class. Most shows will have classes for three types of cattle. These are usually grouped as representative of British breeds, Continental types or American types.
Breeds considered 'British' include both horned and polled Herefords, Angus (red and black) and Shorthorn. The latter was developed in the north of England many centuries ago. The fertile valleys between the counties of York and Durham gave rise to a superior type of cattle which were often pied or roan in color. Judicious breeding by farmers during the mid 18th century led to beasts that matured and fattened relatively early. The Shorthorn has made its mark in all the major beef-producing countries of the world.
The Shorthorn was a good all-purpose breed but later developments resulted in the breed splitting into the Dairy Shorthorn and the Beef Shorthorn. Today around 60% of beef shorthorns are polled and the majority are roan, although they may also be red, white or a mix of both colors. They are compact, low-set animals with a rectangular shape. They are docile by nature and ideal for training as show steers.
The Brahman is one of the American breeds. Its bloodlines have been used in the development of many other breeds such as the Brangus, Braford, Droughtmaster, Santa Gertrudis and Bramousin. It is a Bos indicus breed, well adapted to coping with high temperatures and high humidity. Milk production and appetite are barely affected by excessive temperatures.
Adaptations to heat and humidity include black skin, short, glossy coats, loose hides and increased number of sweat glands. The skin and coat qualities deflect the heat while the increased surface area brought about by the loose hide allows rapid heat loss. When handled calmly and quietly, they are docile and even affectionate. Birth weights can be quite low but the calves equal others in weight by the time they are weaned.
Animals of Brahman type may be any color. Bos indicus cattle have quite long drooping ears and a prominent hump over the shoulders. They also differ from taurine cattle by having a slightly pendulous sheath.
An example of a Continental breed is the Limousin. This is a French breed, developed on the poor soils of central and south west France. The climate there is harsh and severe. There were few crops grown. Being isolated from outside blood, the Limousin remained hardy and economical to keep. In France, the Limousin is often called the 'butcher's animal' because of their fleshy hindquarters and deep chests.
The purebred Limousin is a lovely golden-red with lighter wheaten colored underparts. The horns grow straight out from the head before curving forward and up. Qualities which would discriminate against animals in a Limousin type class would include stockinged legs, a pointed poll, pencil sheath and brindle or roan coloring. Texas show steers should be chosen with a particular class in mind. You can then ensure that the animal has the required characteristics.
Breeds considered 'British' include both horned and polled Herefords, Angus (red and black) and Shorthorn. The latter was developed in the north of England many centuries ago. The fertile valleys between the counties of York and Durham gave rise to a superior type of cattle which were often pied or roan in color. Judicious breeding by farmers during the mid 18th century led to beasts that matured and fattened relatively early. The Shorthorn has made its mark in all the major beef-producing countries of the world.
The Shorthorn was a good all-purpose breed but later developments resulted in the breed splitting into the Dairy Shorthorn and the Beef Shorthorn. Today around 60% of beef shorthorns are polled and the majority are roan, although they may also be red, white or a mix of both colors. They are compact, low-set animals with a rectangular shape. They are docile by nature and ideal for training as show steers.
The Brahman is one of the American breeds. Its bloodlines have been used in the development of many other breeds such as the Brangus, Braford, Droughtmaster, Santa Gertrudis and Bramousin. It is a Bos indicus breed, well adapted to coping with high temperatures and high humidity. Milk production and appetite are barely affected by excessive temperatures.
Adaptations to heat and humidity include black skin, short, glossy coats, loose hides and increased number of sweat glands. The skin and coat qualities deflect the heat while the increased surface area brought about by the loose hide allows rapid heat loss. When handled calmly and quietly, they are docile and even affectionate. Birth weights can be quite low but the calves equal others in weight by the time they are weaned.
Animals of Brahman type may be any color. Bos indicus cattle have quite long drooping ears and a prominent hump over the shoulders. They also differ from taurine cattle by having a slightly pendulous sheath.
An example of a Continental breed is the Limousin. This is a French breed, developed on the poor soils of central and south west France. The climate there is harsh and severe. There were few crops grown. Being isolated from outside blood, the Limousin remained hardy and economical to keep. In France, the Limousin is often called the 'butcher's animal' because of their fleshy hindquarters and deep chests.
The purebred Limousin is a lovely golden-red with lighter wheaten colored underparts. The horns grow straight out from the head before curving forward and up. Qualities which would discriminate against animals in a Limousin type class would include stockinged legs, a pointed poll, pencil sheath and brindle or roan coloring. Texas show steers should be chosen with a particular class in mind. You can then ensure that the animal has the required characteristics.
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