Cows were first domesticated approximately 10,000 years ago. Since then, humans have selectively bred them for specific qualities. Those qualities are often practical, but sometimes they are extraordinary. Here are some of the more visually amazing breeds of cattle from around the world.
Brahmans
Brahmans were imported to the U.S. in 1849. Brahman cattle have the unique hump located over the top of the shoulder and the neck. They are also known for their horns, which usually curve upward, their ears, which are large, and their throatlatch and dewlap, which have a large amount of extra skin.
They thrive in hotter climates which make them ideal for the beef producing regions of the world close to the equator. Brahmans also secrete an oily substance in their sweat that is supposed to repel insects better.
Charolais
A large beef breed, with very good conformation, the Charolais is renowned for its outstanding feeding efficiency, its ability to make use of even the roughest forage and its exceptionally fast rate of growth.
An excellent mother, the Charolais cow has the highest milk yield of all the specialised beef breeds.
Charolais bulls are widely used in crossbreeding with hardy females or dairy breeds to improve the growth rate and the conformation of their offspring.
Belgian Blue
Belgian Blue: The Monster Cow. Their heavy and muscled stature is the result of a random genetic mutation that appeared about 200 years ago. One of the benefits of the Belgian Blue is that their meat is of top-notch quality, being higher in protein and lower in fat, compared to the meat produced by other, normal breeds.
Maine Anjou
Maine-Anjou Cattle are quite undemanding and are used for dairy and meat purposes.
Maine-Anjou Cattle to between 2,300 and 3,100 pounds at maturity, Maine-Anjou bulls stand 150 centimeters at the withers. Cows are ten centimeters shorter and weigh in at 1,400 to 1,900 pounds!
Coloration varies: some Maine-Anjou Cattle are dark red and white, while others are black and some are roan!
Maine-AnjouGenerally, it is the belly, head, tail, and rear legs that are white. Maine-Anjou Cattle are heavily muscled.
Video resource: The Finest
