Beef Cattle Science Trivia Quiz

Answer: False

Beef cattle are ruminants. They have a 4-compartment stomach: rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum (the abomasum is considered the "true stomach").

Answer: Angus

There are 2 colors associated with Angus beef cattle. The United States distinguishes between the 2 colors for registration purposes. They are Black Angus and Red Angus. Black Angus beef cattle are the most popular breed of beef cattle in the United States.

Answer: Beefmaster

Lasater Ranch developed the Beefmaster by crossing Brahmans, Herefords, and shorthorn cattle over a period of time. The Beefmaster breed was recognized in 1954 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, even though they were developed in the late 1930's.

Answer: Chianina

The Chianina is one the largest breed of beef cattle. It is also one of the oldest breeds of beef cattle, having originating in Central Italy. The 1st Chianina cross calf was born in the United States in 1972; a Chianina x Angus/Holstein bull calf.

Answer: born without horns

Beef cattle that are born without horns are considered "polled", or naturally born without horns. This is often used to refer to cattle which would normally have horns but have been selectively bred to be hornless. Dehorned is when the horns are removed sometime after birth.

Answer: Gelbvieh

The Gelbvieh breed was introduced to the United States in the early 1970's. The easy way to distinguish a Gelbvieh from another breed of beef cattle is light brown hair color (almost yellow), light skin around eyes, and short horns. I like to remember their markings this way: yellow, white around eyes with horns.

Answer: Pinzgauer

The Pinzgauer beef cattle breed tends to be a brown (chestnut red) color with white down the back, rump, and under the belly. I like to remember their markings this way: brown with a white "C".

Answer: True

There are 8 USDA beef quality grades: Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter, and Canner.

Answer: False

There are 5 yield grades dealing with beef carcasses. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 1 being the "best" or the highest yielding carcass, and 5 being the "lowest" or the lowest yielding carcass.

Answer: Santa Gertrudis

The brahman and the shorthorn were the 2 beef cattle breeds that were crossed to develop the Santa Gertrudis. Santa Gertrudis cows are known for their excellent mothering ability, milk supply, and ease of calving.