Murray Grey cattle is known for its excellent beef distribution and is considered the best meat within the beef industry. The meat is tender and evenly marbled, making this cattle a coveted herd for any farmer. They adapt well to any climate, and they are strong, hardy, and easy to handle and care for.
Murray Greys are always in high demand, and with good reason. They handle stress very well and quickly adapt to new surroundings. They are docile, easily calved, and grow well; they are also the third-largest breed of cattle in Australia. Read on to learn more about this extraordinary breed of cattle.
Quick Facts About Murray Grey Cattle
Breed Name:
Murray Grey Cattle
Place of Origin:
New South Wales, Australia
Uses:
Beef cattle breed
Bull (Male) Size:
1,800 to 2,500 pounds
Cow (Female) Size:
1,102 to 1,543 pounds
Color:
Silver, chocolate, dark grey, black
Lifespan:
15 years or more
Climate Tolerance:
All climates
Care Level:
Easy
Production:
Meat, top-quality carcasses
Horned:
Polled
Murray Grey Cattle Origins
Murray Grey cattle originated in 1905 in Australia. They get their name from where they were developed, which was in the upper Murray River Valley in New South Wales. These cattle are the product of crossbreeding a black Aberdeen Angus bull with a Shorthorn cow, resulting in 12 offspring. Soon, these cattle increased, and local cattlemen were drawn to them because of their large size, carcass merit, and appearance. The breed has spread throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, and North America.
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Murray Grey Cattle Characteristics
The Murray Grey is naturally polled and has no horns. The bulls can reach a weight between 1,800 pounds to 2,500 pounds, and the cows weigh from 1,102 pounds to 1,543 pounds. The Murray Grey does not need a lot of forage to maintain its massive builds.
The cows make excellent mothers and milk well; however, the mothers can be protective of their young. The calves are quite small when they are born and quickly take to their feet after birth; they have been known to nurse within 30 minutes of being born. The Murray Grey breeds easily and quickly.
Both bulls and cows have a docile nature, and they are easy to handle. They can tolerate all climates due to their light-colored hair, which aids in preventing heatstroke, and they produce high-quality beef. A steer usually weighs roughly 1,150 to 1,300 pounds when slaughtered, and steers are typically ready a few weeks earlier than most cattle breeds, resulting in more profit and less cost. They are generally healthy and have strong legs, which makes them hardy and less likely to develop leg problems.
Uses
These cattle are mostly used for meat production due to their high-quality carcass. The meat is evenly-marbled and is lean, tender, and without excess subcutaneous and intramuscular seam fat. As the herds grew, local farmers in Australia became interested in these cattle, which resulted in the first large commercial-scale farming being established in the 1940s.
These cattle are considered medium to large in size and have a strong structure. The hair color ranges from light silver to dark grey, but the majority of these cattle are silver. Although rare, some may even be black or brown, but regardless of color, the colors are always solid.
Population & Distribution
Along with embryos and sperm, Murray Grey cattle have been distributed to South America, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These cattle are also used in crossbreeding programs regarding Charolais and Zebu cattle. You can find this breed in Australia, Asia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
They adapt well to any climate and quickly convert grass to beef, which makes them sought-after cattle by many farmers because they do not require much feed.
Are Murray Grey Cattle Good for Small-Scale Farming?
Yes. Given their gentle nature, ease of care, climate adaptability, and quick conversion of grass to beef, these cattle would make an excellent addition to any smaller farm. If so inclined, you can find breeders in much of the world, depending on where you live.
Conclusion
The Murray Grey has consistently proven to be high-yield cattle that are easy to handle, docile, and are economically valuable and profitable to farmers. They can adapt to any climate, and all they need is grass to convert to beef.
If you want to learn more about these cattle, check out the Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society.
