In terms of size, this is a very important factor when it comes to cows, especially regarding the production of meat and milk they offer.
At first glance, large cows seem to be a recipe for success for any farmer, but equally important is to take into account the challenges of raising large livestock.
Not only food is a challenge, but also how a breed of cows can adapt to certain environmental and climate conditions. So, with regard to the selection of cows for livestock farms, it is not always that the large breeds are more likely increase profitability.
Here are the largest cattle breeders in the world and some of their main characteristics: Contents1.
Charolais Largest Cattle in the WorldAdvantages and Disadvantages of Large Cattle Breeders Video1.
ChianinaPhoto by Monica / wikipedia.orgChianina is the largest breed of animal in the world.
It comes from Tuscany, Italy, and can reach a height of 2 m and a weight of more than 1,700 kg.
Chianina cows are both the tallest and heaviest cows in the world, as well as one of the oldest cattle breeds. The breed is mainly used for beef production, but in the past it was also popular as beef cattle. .
South DevonPhoto by Charlesdrakew / wikipedia.org Also known as “The Gentle Giant”, South Devon cattle from the United Kingdom, were the largest native cattle in Great Britain.
They can achieve a weight of 1,600 kg on average, although the largest cow recorded in South Devon was 2,000 kg.
Calves from this breed can be used for work up to the age of 12. South Devon is known as a breed for both meat and milk.
With this longevity, some heifers are needed to improve the herd, many of which are available for sale as breeding stock or high quality beef carcasses.3.
Maine – Anjouanjouliette.wordpress.comJust as the name suggests, this French breed of cattle originates from the Anjou region.
It can reach a weight of about 1,400 kg and is raised both for milk and beef production.
The breed is famous for the fact that it can easily build muscle and also for easy fattening. Originally, French farmers used Maine-Anjou cows if they had small plots of land, because they could get a nice income from the cows, as they would fatten. get up so easy.
Especially the bulls can be very temperamental, but the cows have a strong maternal instinct and because of the quality of the milk they give, the calves are always well fed.4.
Acorn Cattlewikipedia.org Originally bred as a multi-purpose breed in the German Rhine-Palatinate region, today Acorn cattle are used mainly for beef production.
It can reach 1.45 m in height and a weight of up to 1,200 kg.
After the efforts of a preservation society established in 1985, Glan Cattle has made a slow comeback, but it is still a lesser known breed of cattle.5.
German AngusGerman Angus Another breed of cattle that can be included in the top of the largest cows in the world also comes from Germany.
Cows can reach a weight of 1,200 kg, have a height of 1.5 m.
The breed was developed in the 1950s when Aberdeen Angus cattle were crossed with different breeds of cattle native to Germany. The main goal of the selection was to find a breed of large size, with good temperament and without horns that could be used for beef production with lower fat content.
The German Angus is also used as a breed of cattle or vegetation management and for suckling beef.6.
MontbeliardePhoto by PRA / wikipedia.org This breed of cattle from the French region of Montbeliard, is used mainly for dairy farms.
Montbeliarde can reach 1.54 m in height and up to 1,200 kg. Montbeliarde cows produce a milk rich in casein type B, which contributes to the increase in yield and cheese production and is at the top of the cheeses of protected origin (Comte Reblochon , watches). ‘Gold, etc.).
Also, the breed is widely used due to the production quality and functional characteristics of the specimens.7.
Parthenaisthatsfarming.com This crossbred animal takes its place among the largest cows in the world, with a height of 1.45 m and a weight of up to 1,150 kg.
He came from the Deux-Sevres region and is said to be one of the oldest French cattle breeds. Cows provide high-quality milk that is used for various dairy products, including butter and is also used for draft work.
It can also be used for the production of beef, because of the quality of the meat that is low in cholesterol.8.
LimousinLimousin cattle Beef with lots of muscle, this French breed can reach a weight of 1,100 kg.
As a result of the environment in which they were bred, in the Limousin and Marche regions, these cows have an unusual solidity, good health and great adaptability.
In addition to their beef quality, Limousin cattle were also used as work animals.9.
Bazadaisewikipedia.org Originally, Bazadaise cattle were used for agricultural work in Bordeaux vineyards.
Cows can reach a weight of up to 1,100 kg.
The breed was gradually used as a reputable beef sire instead of just a solid work animal and is now one of the most common French cattle breeds used for beef production.
Charolais Charolais cow It is one of the earliest and most famous cattle breeds not only in France but worldwide.
It can reach a weight of up to 1,100 kg.
With more than 1.8 million purebred cattle in France, it represents half of the cattle raised for beef in the country and a quarter of the cattle raised for beef in Europe. Meat production is characterized by: quality, quantity – due to direct crossing, which leads to increased carcass weight and a large proportion of quality parts; low production costs – labor force, feed and level of mechanization. Other major cattle breeds worth mentioning are Brahman, Pinzgauer, Normande, Vorderwald, Belted Galloway, Pie Rouge des Plaines or Gayal. Cows are considered a large animal breed, on average the specimens of this breed are not among the largest in the world.
Danniel has a height of 1.93 m and a weight of 1,043 kg. The previous holder of the record for the largest cow was Blossom, a cow from Illinois who died at the age of 13 in 2015 and was also a Holstein cow. The other contender for the largest. The cow of the world was Big Moo from Australia and Chilli, a Fresian cow from the Ferne Animal Sanctuary in Chard, Somerset, England. Advantages and disadvantages of large animal breeds Most large animal breeds are also very difficult when it comes to environmental factors, because they were used as farm animals in the past and know how to adapt to harsh weather conditions.
In 16-19 months, animals reach a weight of 650 kilograms, with a carcass yield of 65-70%. Another important aspect is that the larger livestock breeds are suitable for both beef production and milk production, so farmers can choose which type. profitability is aimed for, depending on market demand, the price of beef or milk and the time period they want to wait for a return on investment. On the other hand, the main disadvantage of raising large animals is that they require a lot of food. and water.
Livestock farms still need water, clean stalls and medicine.
Regardless of whether it is dairy or beef cattle, the animals should be in top health condition, because otherwise the products cannot be sold.
Other costs in livestock farms in general include vaccination utilities, repairs and maintenance for stalls and barn buildings, transportation of animals and milk, veterinary care, breeding costs or artificial insemination. However, there is no telling whether it is better to raise large herds. , medium-sized cows or smaller cattle breeders, because it all depends on the main purpose and goal of the animal farm, in the facilities it has (in terms of pasture, public services etc.) and on the investment made in animals.