Part of the charm of a larger homestead is that there is room for cattle. But what kind?

The answer to this question will depend primarily on why you want to keep cattle. Do you want fresh milk? Grassfed beef? Pulling power in the field? Some of each?

When choosing a breed of cattle, there are other factors to consider as well. Each breed has its own advantages and disadvantages, and what will work well for one family probably won’t suit another.

With this in mind, it is wise to learn about the history, uses, temperament, health, and pros and cons of each breed before making a selection. Hopefully our guide will answer your questions. Enjoy!

Beef Breeds

Angus

The Angus is now America’s top beef breed. A Certified Angus Beef program and a strong presence in the fast-food industry have made Angus the choice of many in the cattle business.

Ankole Watusi

The Cattle of Kings may be a novelty breed, but it offers valuable survival and reproductive traits to the beef world.

Belgian Blue

The Belgian Blue is purely a beef breed, frequently promoted as the “Meat Machine.” However, in America it is generally used in crossbreeding programs.

Black Baldy

The Black Baldy is not a true breed, but any combination of breeds that will produce the hallmark coloring.

Blonde d’Aquitaine

The “good cow that fed Paris” offers many positive traits to the commercial cow-calf producer.

Braford

The Braford has been adopted by many business-minded cattlemen in the South.

Brahman

The Brahman is a beef breed, although purebreds are rarely slaughtered for meat. Instead, the breed is used to create a number of customized crosses, especially in the South.

Brangus

Angus beef quality meets Brahman heat tolerance in this composite breed.

Charolais

The modern Charolais is almost exclusively a beef breed. However, many Charolais cattle in America are kept for breeding purposes.

Chianina

The giant white ox of Italy has profoundly impacted the American beef industry, but not without consequences.

English Longhorn

One of the first specialized beef breeds in the world, the English Longhorn is now extremely rare.

Galloway

This popular homestead breed makes an excellent low-input grassfed beef solution for cold climates.

Hereford

The Hereford is one of the most widely used beef breeds worldwide and is especially favored in tough range conditions. However, it is mostly used in crossbreeding.

Limousin

Limousins are strictly beef cattle. Although purebreds can be used for meat, they are usually crossed with more popular British breeds.

Senepol

The Senepol has a loyal following in the South, where it has become increasingly popular for grass-based beef programs.

South Devon

The South Devon, affectionately known as the “Orange Elephant,” is not to be confused with the unrelated Devon.

Texas Longhorn

A rising demand for lean beef has created an ideal niche for the Texas Longhorn to fill.

Dairy Breeds

Ayrshire

Because of its efficiency in grass-based dairying, the Ayrshire is becoming increasingly popular with organic farmers.

Dutch Belted

This sweet, hardy dairy cow may be best known for looks, but it is well suited to serious pasture-based dairying.

Guernsey

The Guernsey is primarily a dairy breed, one of the favorite choices of self-sustaining family farms and direct marketers of grassfed dairy products.

Holstein

The purebred Holstein is exclusively a dairy breed and is primarily suited to large commercial operations.

Jersey

The Jersey is a favorite both as a family cow and as a breed for direct marketing and organic production

Lineback

The story of the traditional Lineback is essentially the story of the American melting pot.

Dual-Purpose Breeds

Devon

The Devon is a good choice for small farms, and it has potential in conservation grazing, the practice of improving native grasslands with livestock.

Highland

Although it makes a good pet, tourist attraction, or photographer’s model, the Highland has so much more to offer homesteaders and organic beef producers.

Normande

With a long history of producing gourmet food, no wonder that France was the country of origin of cattle like the Normande.

Randall

Although still one of the most endangered cattle breeds in America, the Randall lives on.

Red Poll

Recent interest in grassfed beef and heritage livestock breeds has brought the Red Poll back to the attention of America.

Shorthorn

Shorthorns have found niches in crossbreeding programs, and the milking type has won a place on grass-based dairy farms across the country.

Simmental

The Simmental is now one of the top breeds in America, as well as one of the most popular breeds of cattle in the world.

Tarentaise

The Tarentaise has proven its worth in beef crossbreeding, whether in conventional grain finishing or in a grass-based system.

White Park

Tradition tells us that wild white cattle have wandered over the British Isles since the days of the ancient tribes.

Helpful Resource

Choosing a Breed of Cattle
Ready to take the confusion out of selecting the right cattle breed for your family? This book will walk you through the process of defining your expectations, determining if purebred cattle are right for you, exploring the types of cattle breeds, and finding more information on your chosen breed. Features profiles of 40 breeds, including several not showcased in our online guide. Facts on origin, breed structure, population, uses, weight, preferred climate, temperament, health, and production are included. Free sample pages are available for preview.