Buelingo Cattle

BueLingo is a modern breed of beef cattle that was developed in 1970 in North Dakota, United States.

The founder of this breed is Russ Bueling, and the breed is also classified as belted cattle because of its unique appearance. The name “BueLingo” comes from his last name.

Russ worked closely with two professor at North Dakota State University named Alfred Ostrum and Russ Danielson. Together, they decided to combine different cattle breeds: 14 Shorthorn-type cows, a Dutch Belted bull (also known as Lakenvelder), and a Chianina bull.

The final BueLingo is a composite breed made from several beef cattle breeds. The belted color mainly comes from the Dutch Belted cattle.

BueLingo cattle are found mainly in the United States, especially in North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota, and some other Midwestern and Western states.

It is not a very widespread breed. It is quite rare, so you won’t find it everywhere, but it is known among cattle breeders.

By 2012, over 8,000 animals had been registered, which is a small number compared to larger commercial breeds.

It was not listed as endangered by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) or the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), but it is still considered a minority breed.

Characteristics

Color

BueLingo cattle have a very unique and easy-to-recognize look. They are usually black or red, and they always have a white belt that goes all the way around their middle. This belt looks like a white band or stripe that circles their body between the shoulders and hips.

The rest of their body, including the front and back, is solid black or solid red, depending on the animal. Their legs, head, and tail are usually the same color as the rest of their body and not white.

BueLingo Cattle Markings and Color – Female Standards

Feature	Ideal	Acceptable	Not Acceptable
Hair Color	Dark black or rich deep red	Light black or brown tint; lighter red or tiger-striped red	Any other color such as roan or brindle
Belt	Solid white belt covering half to three-quarters of the body between the chest and hips; even and balanced	Belt that fully goes around the body but may be narrow, wide, or uneven	No belt or a belt that does not go all the way around
Tail Switch	Solid black or red	Some gray or light hairs, up to 25%	Light or odd-colored hairs covering more than 25%
Feet and Legs	Solid black or red	Slightly lighter or darker shades of body color	White markings on feet or legs
Skin and Muzzle	Black cattle – black or gray skin; Red cattle – dark pink skin	Black cattle – smokey color; Red cattle – gray or spotted (mottled) skin	–
Teats	Same dark color as the skin	Light or spotted color	–
Udder and Sheath	Dark color matching the rest of the body	Light or white-colored hair	–
Hooves and Horns	Black cattle – black or dark gray hooves; Red cattle – dark red or gray hooves; Polled (no horns) preferred	Light-colored or striped hooves	–

Head

Their heads are well-shaped and have a strong but calm appearance. Their eyes are clear, and their facial expression is gentle.

Horns

This cattle breed is polled.

Shoulders

The shoulders are smooth and not too wide or too narrow, which is good. The shoulders of a cow are important for calving because they affect the shape of the calf and how easily it can come out during birth. Since BueLingo calves have smooth, well-shaped shoulders, they can pass through the birth canal more easily.

Body

These cattle have a strong, deep, and long body. Their back is straight and level. The underline is tight and clean, without too much loose skin. The rump is wide and slightly sloped.

Legs

The legs are medium in length, but they are strong and well-placed, which helps them walk easily and stand for long periods.

Size

BueLingo cattle are not small, but they are also not the largest breed. They have a medium to medium-large frame, similar to Dutch Belted cattle.

In terms of height, they stand around 52 to 55 inches (about 132 to 140 cm) at the shoulder. Their body is long enough to give them a strong and balanced appearance.

Lifespan

This beef cattle breed can live for about 10 to 15 years.

The exact lifespan depends on what you feed the animal and how you manage your farm or homestead. Good care and proper feeding can help the cattle live longer and stay healthy.

Growth Rate

How fast do they grow?

The growth rate of these cattle is fast, especially in the first year of life. In some cases, calves can gain up to 4.47 lbs (about 2.03 kg) per day, while in others, they gain around 3.6 lbs (about 1.63 kg) per day when fed a 12% protein feed and have hay available at all times.

They are also good at turning feed into body weight, needing less than 6 lbs (about 2.72 kg) of feed to gain 1 lb (about 0.45 kg).

Their fast growth makes them a profitable choice for farmers who want lean, tender beef in less time.

Weight

Mature bulls usually weigh between 1,400 and 1,800 lbs (635 to 815 kg). Mature cows weigh between 1,100 and 1,200 lbs (500 to 545 kg) while they are producing milk. A BueLingo cow can raise a healthy calf that weighs around 600 to 700 lbs (270 to 320 kg) at weaning, which is around 205 days of age.

After weaning, the calf continues to grow quickly and can reach 1,000 to 1,100 lbs (455 to 500 kg) by one year old.

At birth, BueLingo calves usually weigh between 65 and 80 lbs (30 to 36 kg), which is a good size for easy calving.

Slaughter Time

You can butcher these cattle when they are about 14 to 15 months old. They normally weigh 1,000 to 1,100 lbs (455 to 500 kg) at that time. The dressing percentage, or the amount of meat from the animal, is usually between 57% and 62%.

Temperament

BueLingo cattle are calm and easy to work with. They usually move quietly and don’t get scared easily, so they are safer for both the animals and the people around them.

They are also smart and pay attention to what’s happening. This helps them learn farm routines like feeding or walking through gates quickly.

Farmers often say that BueLingo cattle are a great choice for small farms or for people who are just starting with cattle. They are not aggressive or difficult to handle.

The cows are also known for being good mothers. They protect their calves but stay calm, which helps make the farm a safer and easier place to work.

Meat

The meat is usually very tender and has a pleasant texture, making it easy to chew. The flavor is rich and natural but not too strong if the cattle are slaughtered earlier, between 14 to 18 months of age. If they are slaughtered later, the meat can have a stronger flavor and a firmer texture.

BueLingo beef has moderate marbling, with the fat well distributed throughout the meat. Because the marbling is not too heavy, this beef is usually considered lean and healthy.

Raising

Feeding

You can raise them on a grass-fed diet. They can eat fresh pasture grass, hay, and silage. Grass-fed beef is leaner and more natural, but it may take a little longer for them to reach full weight.

You can also feed them a grain and grass combination. This is called grain-finished. They start on grass, then eat grain like corn, barley, or oats in the last few months. This helps them gain weight faster and adds marbling, which makes the beef more tender and flavorful.

No matter what, BueLingo cattle need clean, fresh water every day. They also need vitamins and minerals, which you can give through salt blocks, mineral tubs, or added to their feed. These help with bone health, growth, and reproduction.

You can also give them protein supplements if the pasture is poor or during winter. This helps keep their weight up and supports healthy calves.

Environment

You can raise BueLingo cattle in different ways, depending on your land and what you want. One way is the grass-fed system, where the cattle eat mostly grass in the pasture. This is a natural and low-cost method, but the cattle may grow a bit slower.

Another way is the mixed system, where the cattle eat grass and also get some grain. This helps them grow faster and makes the meat more tender and tasty. Some farmers also use a feedlot system, where the cattle stay in pens and are given food every day. This helps them gain weight quickly, but you need to take good care of them to keep them healthy and comfortable.

Climate and Shelter

BueLingo cattle are strong and can live in many types of weather, but they still need basic shelter to stay healthy and comfortable.

They do well in cold climates, like North Dakota, where they were first developed. In winter, they need a windbreak or a simple shed to protect them from cold winds, snow, and freezing rain. This helps them stay warm and avoid stress.

In hot or dry climates, like parts of Texas or the southwest, they need shade during the day. This can be from trees, a roof, or a shelter with open sides. Cattle can get tired or even sick if they are in the sun too long, so shade and fresh water are very important.

In mild climates, they may not need much shelter, but it’s still a good idea to give them a place to rest that is dry and clean, especially during rain or strong winds.

How many acres per head of cattle?

The amount of land a BueLingo cow needs depends on the quality of the pasture, weather, grass growth, and whether you provide supplemental feed. A general rule in the U.S. is 2 to 2.5 acres per cow in good pasture conditions. This gives the cow enough space to graze and stay healthy without overgrazing the land.

If the vegetation is not rich, especially in drier areas, you may need 7 to 11 acres per cow, because grass grows more slowly. However, if you provide supplemental feed, you may be able to raise cattle on less land.

Breeding

BueLingo cattle are easy to breed and are known for their strong fertility.

Heifers can be bred at around 14 to 15 months of age, so they calve at about two years old. They should weigh about 65% of their mature weight before breeding.

The gestation period is about 283 days, which is around nine months. BueLingo cows usually give birth to one calf at a time, and twins are rare. They are excellent mothers, calm, protective, and they produce plenty of milk for their calves. These cattle are also known for easy calving

Terminal vs. Maternal

BueLingo is a balanced breed. It can be used for both maternal purposes and terminal production.

Advantages

• Fast growth rate
• Great beef
• Easy calving and good mothering skills
• Docile temperament
• Adaptable to all climates
• Attractive appearance
• Efficient feed conversion
• Fertile

Disadvantages

• Not very common. They are still a minority breed.
• Smaller market demand
• Limited genetic pool
• Not ideal for very large operations