Ukrainian steppe cattle
The Ukrainian steppe cattle or Ukrainian gray cattle ( Ukrainian Сіра українська порода , Sira ukrajinska poroda ) is a land cattle breed from the Ukraine .
Breeding history
The breed is very old and related to many steppe cattle breeds in southern Europe . It was widespread in Ukraine until the beginning of the 20th century . In the course of the following decades this old landrace was displaced by the more productive breeds ( red steppe cattle , Simmental cattle , Brown-Swiss ) through displacement crossbreeding. Today purebred animals are very rare.
Characteristics
- Color gray or light gray, bulls have darker necks, breasts and legs
- Horn tips black
- strong constitution, large body, long legs and legs
- prominent withers
- well developed muscles
- good skin and coat quality
- Adaptation to the local steppe climate
- Hardness, suitability for harsh grazing conditions
- Feed frugality
- longevity
- Disease resistance
- Weight cows 750 kg, bulls 1100 kg
- good meat quality
- Milk yield 2460-2920 kg with 4.2-4.3% fat
Occurrence
In 1980 the number was only 1000 animals. Protected stocks still exist in Polivanovka in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and in the Askanija-Nova nature reserve in Kherson Oblast in Ukraine .