The choice of livestock for the farm should be based not only on the productive and external characteristics of the animals, but also on the suitability of the territory of residence and conditions specifically for this species.
Consider what breed of cattle are most suitable for breeding in the Belgorod region.
Popular breeds of cows of the Belgorod region
Farming is very popular in this region. As for breeding cows, there are several popular varieties of these domestic animals in this area: Holstein, red-motley and Simmental breeds. In order to breed them, you must know the characteristics of each species. Let us consider in more detail each breed.
Golshtinsky
Holstein breed is the most common on the whole Earth. It combines both dairy and meat qualities.
Inference history
In the middle of the 19th century, an American farmer, Winsrop Chenery, purchased several black-colored animals that were bred in Europe. These animals had extremely high milk production, so the farmer invited breeders to multiply this quality.
You will probably be useful to get acquainted with the description of the Holstein breed of cows.
In 1871, a group was established to study Holstein-Frisian cattle, which was engaged in the popularization, improvement and reproduction of this particular species. Soon these cows became popular throughout the United States. In 1983, a resolution on the official name was adopted - the Holstein breed.
Appearance
The appearance of this cattle is its hallmark: they have a motley-black color, which may be completely different for each individual. For example, a calf can be born that will be completely black, with the exception of small white specks that are practically imperceptible. In addition to high milk production, these horned have a rather large weight. So, the female weighs an average of 750 kg, bull - 950 kg. But if the purpose of breeding these cows is meat, then they can be fattened and up to 1200 kg.
Did you know? The heaviest cow to the world, nicknamed Mount Katadin, weighs 2270 kg.The height at the withers of bulls is 160 cm, and that of females is 145 cm. The distinctive feature of this breed is the wide chest and thighs. The body length is average: bulls grow to 1.7 m, females - up to 1.5 m.
Video: free-range cattle content of Holstein breed
Productive qualities
This breed is the most popular because it has extremely high rates of productivity.
Milk production per year: about 10,000 kg.
The amount of milk per day: about 20 l.
Milk flavor: creamy, sweet.
Milk fat: 2,7-3 %.
The amount of protein in milk: 3-3,5 %.
The earliness of weight gain: high - by the age of 15 months they gain about 380 kg.
Slaughter meat: approximately 60% by weight of bull. Thus, these cows have one of the highest rates among cows in terms of meat yield, weight and milk yield.
We recommend that you find out what are the processing methods and types of cow's milk, as well as consider the characteristics of some milk coolers.
Red-motley
The red-and-white cow has similar characteristics with the Holstein breed, since the selection came from her.
Inference history
Holstein cows have a recessive gene, which in some cases gives a red hue to the calves. Noticing this, the breeders decided to bring a separate species with this color. In 1998, the red-and-white breed was officially listed in the stud book.
Appearance
The animals of this breed are rather large and high: a cow weighs 650 kg, a bull weighs 700-800 kg, while the height at the withers of a female is 145 cm and that of a bull 160 cm. These horned ones have a wide chest, usually 5-7 cm more than thighs.
Important! With an irregular diet, a cow will not only not gain weight, but will not give milk either.
The color is called motley red, and the animal itself is mostly red in color with white patches that can be completely different. The shape of the udder is cup-shaped, its size is medium.
Productive qualities
The productive properties of this breed are characterized by the following indicators.
Milk production per year: about 8 500 kg.
The amount of milk per day: about 17 l.
Milk flavor: more saturated than Holstein cows, but also sweet.
Milk fat: 3,8-4 %.
The amount of protein in milk: 3,5 %.
The earliness of weight gain: tall - a middle-aged calf can weigh about 480 kg.
Slaughter meat: approximately 50-60%. Indicators may vary depending on livestock and food quality.
Simmental
The Simmental breed is also known for combining two main characteristics - milk yield and slaughter meat. These two indicators are quite high.
Inference history
The history of breeding is not known for sure, but there are two main versions. The first one says that these cows are descendants of wild tours, crossed with different types of Swiss cows. The second reports that these horned are descendants of Scandinavian cows, who came to Switzerland in the V century.
Did you know? Simmental breed is one of the oldest on Earth.
The name of the cows comes from the Swiss river Simme, on the banks of which animals were most often grazed.
Appearance
The color of this species is fawn or cream, with an orange tinge with white patches in different variations. The average body length is 160 cm, the height at the withers of females is 150 cm, and the males 165 cm.
The chest is wide, low, the males have a delicate breast. The weight of the female is 600 kg, the male - from 800 to 1000 kg, although with intensive feeding it can reach 1300 kg.
Farmers need to read more about the advantages and disadvantages of the Simmental cow breed.
Productive qualities The breeds of this breed have high productive qualities.
Milk production per year: 7,500 kg, the maximum was recorded at around 12,000 kg.
The amount of milk per day: about 15 liters
Milk flavor: very gentle, creamy, a little sweet. Milk fat: 4,1 %.
The amount of protein in milk: 3,3 %.
The earliness of weight gain: the average - at 18 months of age is 343 kg.
Slaughter meat: 55 %.
The most striking feature that distinguishes the individuals of this breed from others is the gentle and unique taste of milk, the ancestors of which ate grass from the Alpine meadows.
Care and feeding of cattle at home
His wards need to ensure good living conditions: this is a spacious, well-ventilated room, with a sufficient amount of light, in winter it should be heated.
Agree, one of the factors affecting the success of raising cows, are comfortable conditions of detention. Learn how to build a barn, as well as how to make a corral and ventilation in the barn with your own hands.
Caring for animals differs depending on the season. In the summer, it is necessary to equip them with a canopy so that the animal is not in the sun for long, it is also necessary to ensure constant access to water. Breed cows in the pasture should be twice a day. In winter, the barn should warm up well, but still be ventilated. The harvesting of the crib should be carried out as it is polluted, since bacteria multiply very quickly in such an environment. Bulls are washed only in summer, but females need to wash the udder before and after milking. Periodically it is necessary to conduct an inspection of animals in order to detect diseases in time and begin timely treatment.
They feed animals 3 times a day, the basis of the food is grain feeds (cereals, legumes, oilcake), as well as succulent (grasses, root crops) and coarse (hay).
Read about how to make a diet for dry and milk cows.
So, we can conclude that in the Belgorod region there are several popular types of cows, which have high rates in both dairy and meat productivity. These animals do not require special care and are resistant to diseases.