Galician blond cattle
The Galician Blondvieh , Rubia gallega (Spanish) or Rubia galega (Galician) is a breed of domestic cattle from Spain . It is an autochthonous breed of beef cattle in Galicia .
Physique and external characteristics
The Galician blond cattle are medium-sized and well proportioned. The chest is deep, broad and arched. The back and loin are long, straight and well muscled. The thighs, croup and legs are convex, broad and sloping. The bone structure is robust, strong and well developed. All these features lead to the generally long, deep, expansive and broad shape of the typical beef cattle. The basic color is blond, dark blond or cinnamon colored ("teixa"), and varies in all shades from light ("marelo") to dark ("vermello"). The mucous membranes are unpigmented, the claws and horns light, the latter becoming pink at the base and darker towards the horn tips. The weight is between 450 and 500 kg.
Origin and history
The Galician blond cattle belong to the branch of blond and red cattle. Originally, the blondes are said to have come from what is now France with the people of the Gallaekers , a Celtic tribe. Over time, a type of cattle that was suitable for work and meat production proved itself in the mountainous region of Galicia. The majority of the livestock of this breed is in Galicia to this day. In 1933 a herd book was opened. In the 1960s Fleckvieh , Brown Swiss and South Devon were crossed. They definitely influenced the appearance: the color of the coat tended from blond to red and the body shape was improved (rounding of the torso and especially the back). The number of animals subsequently stabilized at around 190,000 animals. The number of registered breeders rose from 17,000 to 22,000 between 1986 and 1993. The crossings have come to an end. Further improvements are only sought through effective breeding selection.
distribution
The Galician blond cattle are mainly found in the provinces of Lugo and A Coruña .
swell
- Raza bovina "Rubia Gallega". Ministerio de Agricultura, Spain.
- Ternera gallega. Protected designation of origin for Galician beef.