Charolais cattle are a beef breed of cattle (Bos taurus) which originated in Charolais around Charolles in France. They are raised for their meat and are known for their composite qualities when crossed with other breeds most notably Angus and Hereford cattle. The breed tends to be large muscled with bulls weighing up to 1 100 kilograms (2 400 lb) and cows up to 900 kilograms (2 000 lb). The breed was introduced in the southern US as early as the 1940s.