A phenotypic characterization of Rarámuri Criollo cattle introduced into the southwestern United States

Authors: MCINTOSH, MATTHEW - New Mexico State University; Gonzalez, Alfredo; CIBILS, ANDRES - New Mexico State University; Estell, Richard - Rick; NYAMURYEKUNG'E, SHELEMIA - New Mexico State University; RODRIGUEZ, ALMEIDA - Universidad Autonoma De Chihuahua; Spiegal, Sheri

Submitted to: Archivos Latinoamericanos De Produccion Animal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/6/2020
Publication Date: 12/22/2020
Citation: McIntosh, M., Gonzalez, A.L., Cibils, A., Estell, R.E., Nyamuryekung'e, S., Rodriguez, A.F., Spiegal, S.A. 2020. A phenotypic characterization of Rarámuri Criollo cattle introduced into the southwestern United States. Archivos Latinoamericanos De Produccion Animal. 28:111-119.

Interpretive Summary: Raramuri Criollo are a biotype of heritage cattle that descended from cattle introduced into the Western Hemisphere from Spain nearly 500 years ago. These cattle flourished over much of the Americas until the late 1800s, when European breeds became popular and displaced these cattle into more isolated and less productive regions. The Jornada introduced Rarámuri Criollo (RC) cattle from the Copper Canyon of Chihuahua, México into the Southwestern United States almost two decades ago. Our objective was to describe key phenotypic characteristics of this population of cattle using data from 37 RC individuals including mature cows, first­-calf heifers, and mature bulls. The RC cattle exhibited intermediate body sizes (390 kg) compared to the smaller Corriente (300 kg) and larger Texas Longhorn (400 kg) and Florida Cracker cattle (400 kg). Coat colors were similar to those described for other Criollo biotypes but horn shape and size of RC appear to be different than that of other US­-based Criollo breeds. Though smaller than commercial beef breeds, RC cattle appear to be well suited to the Southwestern US environments as evidenced by previous studies that evaluated their grazing behavior, weight gains, and carcass quality. Rarámuri Criollo cattle are a genetic resource whose conservation could be critically important for climate change adaptation of ranches in the desert Southwest.

Technical Abstract: Our objective was to describe key phenotypic characteristics of a population of Rarámuri Criollo (RC) cattle introduced from the Copper Canyon of Chihuahua, México into the Southwestern United States almost two decades ago. We recorded 26 phenotypic traits of 37 RC individuals including mature cows, first-­calf heifers, and mature bulls raised at the USDA­-ARS Jornada Experimental Range in southern New Mexico. This herd of RC cattle exhibited intermediate body sizes (390 kg) compared to the smaller Corriente (300 kg) and larger Texas Longhorn (400 kg) and Florida Cracker cattle (400 kg). Coat colors were similar to those described for other Criollo biotypes but horn shape and size of RC appear to be different than that of other US-­based Criollo breeds. Though smaller than commercial beef breeds, RC cattle appear to be well ­matched to the Southwestern US environments as evidenced by previous studies that evaluated their grazing behavior, weight gains, and carcass quality. Rarámuri Criollo cattle are a genetic resource whose conservation could be critically important for climate change adaptation of ranches in the desert Southwest.