Sarah wants to start showing cattle at the county fair. She goes to her FFA advisor for guidance on what breed to choose. 

There are so many breeds. Which one should I choose?

Let's look at a few different options.

First up is the Hereford. They have signature red bodies and distinctive white faces. They originated from Herefordshire, England. This breed is valued for its hardiness, docility and high-quality beef.

Next, we have the Black Angus. This is one of the most popular breeds. They originated in Scotland. These cattle are polled and solid black. They are known for their high-quality marbled beef and for being docile. 

Now we have Shorthorn cattle. These originated in England. These are prized for their versatility, ease of handling, and adaptability. They have distinctive red-, white-, or roan-colored coats.

Next up is the Limousin. These cattle originated in France. They are heavily muscled cattle. These are known for their excellent meat production and for being a hardy breed. 

Now we're going to look at Charolais. These cattle originated in France. They are white with a pink muzzle and pale hooves. These are known for being fast growers and being heavily muscled.

Next up is the Longhorn. These vary in color and are known for their horn span. They are intelligent, docile, and hardy. 

Next, we have Brahman cattle. These originated in India. They have a distinctive appearance due to their large back hump, large dewlap, and ears that hang by their head. These are heat tolerant, grow quickly, and are adaptable. 

Now we'll look at Simmental cattle. These originated in Switzerland. They are typically red and white, and they are known for being versatile, for their high milk production, and for their growth efficiency. 

Those were examples of beef cattle, but there are also dairy cattle.

What's the difference?

Beef cattle are bred for meat production. Dairy cattle are bred for milk production. 

Let's look at some examples of dairy cattle that you could show. 

First, let's look at Holstein cattle. These originated in the Netherlands. They have distinctive black and white markings. These cattle are known for their outstanding milk production and docility.

Next, we have Jersey cattle. These originated from the Isle of Jersey. They come in different shades of brown. They are known for being friendly and for their high butterfat content.