World’s Largest Cattle Breed

2025 - Volume #49, Issue #2, Page #20

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North American cattle breeders were interested in bigger and better cattle when they first imported Chianina calves and semen from Italy to Canada in the early 1970s.
Known as “the white giant” because of their color and size, Chianina cattle have been part of Italian agriculture for over 2,200 years. In the ‘70s, most North American cattle breeds were small-framed, and many producers wanted to raise bigger animals for higher profits.
“The Chianina’s feed efficiency is very good. They grow and grade well. The meat marbles well, and there’s not a lot of excess trim fat,” says Heather Counts, editor of the American Chianina Journal for the American Chianina Association (ACA).
The beef brings a premium price and is popular with high-end restaurant chefs. A purebred Chianina reaches a carcass weight of 1,433 lbs. in 16 to 18 mos. Cows deliver 110 lb. calves with ease and make great mothers. They also have longevity and good foot structure.
Those qualities inspired North American producers to cross Chianina with other breeds, both dairy and beef. While there are some purebreds, the ACA was the first to accept composites, Counts says. When bred with Angus cattle, for example, they’re called Chiangus and benefit from qualities from both breeds.
“Chianina cattle have a big presence in the show cattle industry,” Counts says, and often, a Chianina hybrid is a supreme champion or in the top five. Today, most Chianina cattle are black and more moderate-framed, resembling the cattle of today’s beef industry.
Chianina cattle adapt to most climates. The ACA has many registered producers east of the Mississippi, from Michigan to Florida. But the cattle also thrive in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and in high elevations in Montana and Wyoming.
For more information about the breed and to find breeders in your area, check out the ACA website.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, American Chianina Association, P.O. Box 890, Platte City, Mo. 64079 (ph 816-431-2808; heather@chicattle.org; www.chicattle.org).

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World’s Largest Cattle Breed North American cattle breeders were interested in bigger and better cattle when they first imported Chianina calves and semen from Italy to Canada in the early 1970s Known as “the white giant” because of their color and size Chianina cattle have been part of Italian agriculture for over 2 200 years In the ‘70s most North American cattle breeds were small-framed and many producers wanted to raise bigger animals for higher profits “The Chianina’s feed efficiency is very good They grow and grade well The meat marbles well and there’s not a lot of excess trim fat ” says Heather Counts editor of the American Chianina Journal for the American Chianina Association ACA The beef brings a premium price and is popular with high-end restaurant chefs A purebred Chianina reaches a carcass weight of 1 433 lbs in 16 to 18 mos Cows deliver 110 lb calves with ease and make great mothers They also have longevity and good foot structure Those qualities inspired North American producers to cross Chianina with other breeds both dairy and beef While there are some purebreds the ACA was the first to accept composites Counts says When bred with Angus cattle for example they’re called Chiangus and benefit from qualities from both breeds “Chianina cattle have a big presence in the show cattle industry ” Counts says and often a Chianina hybrid is a supreme champion or in the top five Today most Chianina cattle are black and more moderate-framed resembling the cattle of today’s beef industry Chianina cattle adapt to most climates The ACA has many registered producers east of the Mississippi from Michigan to Florida But the cattle also thrive in Texas Oklahoma Kansas and in high elevations in Montana and Wyoming For more information about the breed and to find breeders in your area check out the ACA website Contact: FARM SHOW Followup American Chianina Association P O Box 890 Platte City Mo 64079 ph 816-431-2808; heather@chicattle org; www chicattle org

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