Estonian beef

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Estonian beef ( Estonian : eesti maatõug ) is a dairy cattle breed from Estonia .

Breeding history

Although it is a local breed, it has received the production status of a breeding breed through targeted and effective selection. In 1909, targeted breeding of the local breed began in Estonia. A herd book has existed since 1914 . After the Second World War, the number of Estonian cattle decreased steadily - the breed was threatened with extinction, also as a result of inbreeding. In order to put a stop to this, Jersey and Finnish bulls were crossed between 1955 and 1967 .

Characteristics

  • Color yellow-brown to red, bulls mostly darker
  • petite but compact, medium or small
  • Head light, forehead narrow, usually genetically hornless
  • Neck narrow, chest deep and narrow
  • poorly developed muscles
  • Legs long, hind legs are often staggered
  • Udder is expansive with equally developed quarters, often rounded or tub-shaped
  • Milk yield 3,300 kg with 3.8% fat
  • Disease resistance ( tuberculosis , leukosis )
  • Hardness, adaptation to the local environment
  • low feed consumption per performance

Estonian cattle are well suited for crossbreeding, where they can transfer their benefits to other breeds.

In 1980 the population numbered 2,000 animals. Most of the Estonian cattle are raised on three farms in Estonia, namely Pärivere and Vahenurme in Pärnu County and Lehtse in Järva County . Today the breed consists of ten lines.

source

Web links