Cattle
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Madura cattle, also known as Madurese cattle, are a hybrid breed that has been created by crossbreeding Zebu and Banteng cattle found on the island of Madura in Indonesia. The original cattle population on the island was the wild Banteng, which is similar to Balinese cattle. The introduction of Sinhala cattle, a Zebu breed from Sri Lanka, more than 1500 years ago led to the creation of the hybrid breed through crossbreeding. The breed is known for its reddish-brown coloration with white patterning and small size, with mature bulls weighing between 250-300 kg. It is used for racing by locals and is considered a valuable breed, with an estimated population of 900,000 in 2002. Efforts are being made to conserve the breed on Sapudi island.
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Maine-Anjou cattle originated in the northwestern part of
France. Their name comes from the Maine and Anjou river valleys.
They are one of the largest cattle breeds developed in France, with mature bulls weighing from 2200 to 2700 pounds on the average. Mature cows will range from 1500 to 1900 pounds. They are a very dark red with white markings on their head, belly, rear legs, and tail. Black and roan are also seen. White on other parts of their bodies is also common. The first Maine-Anjou imported into North America came to Canada in 1969. These cattle were then introduced to the United States through artificial insemination. The Maine-Anjou Society Inc. was incorporated in Nebraska in 1969. | ||
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The Mandalong Special is a breed of cattle that is recognized for its exceptional qualities. The breed is believed to have originated in the Mandalong area of New South Wales, Australia and is known for its distinctive appearance, strength, and adaptability. Characterized by its black and white coloring, this breed is known for its hardiness and ability to thrive in a variety of climates. It is also prized for its meat, which is considered to be high quality and well-marbled. Despite its popularity among farmers and ranchers, the Mandalong Special is considered to be a rare breed, and efforts are being made to conserve and preserve the breed.
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Mantequera Leonesa cattle, also known as Leonesa cattle, are a breed of cattle originating from the province of León in northwest Spain. Bred for meat production, they are characterized by their rust-colored coat and distinctive hump on the shoulder. With a compact and muscular physique, they are highly valued for their efficiency in converting feed into meat. These cattle have a gentle and docile temperament, making them easy to handle. The breed is considered to be at risk of extinction and efforts are being made to conserve and revive its populations.
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Maramure Brown cattle are a breed of cattle that are characterized by their brown coloration. Originating from the Maramures region of Romania, they are well adapted to the local climate and are known for their hardiness and ability to produce high quality beef. These cattle are of medium size and have a muscular body, with males weighing between 700 to 900 kg and females weighing between 500 to 700 kg. They are considered a valuable asset in the region and are often used for dairy and beef production. Conservation efforts are underway to ensure the continued survival of the breed.
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Marchigiana cattle are derived from long-horned cattle that
reached Italy in the sixth century AD following barbarian invasions. Today,
they have lost many of their original somatic traits and can be defined as
"synthetic" beef cattle breed created in Italy. During the second half of the nineteenth century, breeders from the Marches region had Chianina bulls mount their dams in order to improve the beef-production capacity of these work animals. The results were soon evident and not only did muscle development improve, but the coat became lighter, the horns shorter and the head lighter. In these subjects, known as "short-horns", this capacity improved significantly, but the increase in stature made the oxen ... | ||
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Maremmana cattle areaa descendent of the bos Taurus Macroceros, a longhorned cattle that
spread from the Eurasian steppes throughout Europe and that, in Italy, can be
traced as far back as the Etruscan era, as evinced by the archeological
findings from Caere (modern-day Cerveteri) and by the taurine head from the
Vetulonia museum. This cattle (the bos Silvestris described by Pliny in his Natural
History) was crossed with the Podolica cattle that reached Italy following the
barbarian invasions, giving rise to the Maremmana breed which populated in
enormous herds and has been a distinguishing feature of the marshy malarial
zones of the Maremma areas in Tuscany and Latium.
Maremmana breeders were exported from these ar ... | ||
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The Marinhoa cattle breed is known for its hardiness and ability to thrive in various climates, raised mainly for meat with a distinct flavor. It is characterized by its large size and muscular build, with bulls weighing up to 800 kg. The breed has a reddish-brown coat with a lighter underbelly and a docile, easy-going temperament. Conservation efforts are underway, with populations estimated in the thousands, mostly found in Central Portugal''s Aveiro District. The breed has thick, elastic skin and a light brown coat, a long and flat head, a strong and muscled body, and small horns. The breed''s profile is sub-concave.
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The Maronesa breed of mountain cattle, traditionally found in the northern regions of Portugal, is named after the Serra do Marão. With its primary use being for draught power, this breed is valued for its strength and hardiness.
The origin of the Maronesa breed of cattle is a topic of controversy and its clarity is lacking. Historical evidence suggests that it was formed through cross-breeding of the Barrosã and Mirandesa breeds and was considered a cross-breed until 1835. The intermediate frequency of the 1/29 Robertsonian translocation in the Maronesa breed supports this idea, but a 1998 study found it to have a substantial genetic distance from the Barrosã and Mirandesa and all other breeds of northe ortugal and Galicia. In ... | ||
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The Masai cattle breed is known for its distinctive long, spiraled horns and red coloration with white markings. They are native to the East African region, primarily in Kenya and Tanzania, where they are primarily raised by the Maasai people. They are well adapted to the harsh, semi-arid environment of their native range and are highly valued for their hardiness, resistance to disease, and milk production. Additionally, they are used for meat, leather, and cultural purposes, with the Maasai considering the cows to be a symbol of wealth and prestige.
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The Mashona cattle breed is indigenous to Zimbabwe and is also known as the Rhodesian Shorthorn. They are medium-sized cattle with a compact and muscular build, and have a distinctive hump over the shoulder. The coat color is usually red or white, and the cattle have long and upward-curving horns. The Mashona breed is well adapted to the hot and dry climate of Zimbabwe and are known for their disease resistance and ability to forage for food. They are mainly used for beef production and as draft animals for agricultural work.
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The Menorquina is an endangered breed of cattle from the Mediterranean island of Menorca, in the Spanish autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. It belongs to the group of convex-profiled red cattle, whose distribution across the northern Mediterranean region is thought to have followed the path of the Bell-Beaker Culture. It is one of only two autochthonous Spanish breeds of dairy cattle, the other being the Pasiega. The milk is particularly suitable for cheese production, and is used to make Mahón cheese, which has DOP status.
Cattle have been present in the Balearic Islands since the time of the Bell-Beaker Culture. Perforated beakers of this period found on the island of Mallorca are believed to be cheese-strainers.[4]: ... | ||
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The Mertolenga is a Portuguese breed of cattle. It is named for the concelho of Mértola in south-eastern Alentejo, bordering Spain.? In 2003 it was one of thirteen registered Portuguese cattle breeds, constituting approximately 19 per cent of cattle in the country.The origin of the Mertolenga is said to be as a color variant within the Alentejana cattle in south-easte ortugal and is believed to have descended partly from the Spanish Berrenda en Colorado, having been identified as a separate breed in 1873. The breed is primarily found in the Low Alentejo and Ribatejo regions in southe ortugal. The Mertolenga was originally used principally for drought work in the rice fields of Alentejo. It was also used to assist in movin ... | ||
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The Meuse-Rhine-Issel breed is a Dutch dual-purpose cattle that is raised for both meat and milk production. The breed is classified as part of the Lowland-Pied group of North European cattle and is known for its red-pied color and medium-large size.The Meuse-Rhine-Issel was developed in two main regions of Holland, including the eastern part of Noord-Brabant along the Meuse and Rhine rivers, and the area of the IJssel river in Salland and Twente in Overijssel and extending into the Achterhoek of Gelderland and Drenthe. The breed got its name from the three rivers. The Nederlands Rundvee Syndicaat registered the Meuse-Rhine-Issel breed in 1874. The breed was officially recognized in 1905 and a separate herd-book was established.< ... | ||
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Minhota, or Galega, cattle are a Portuguese cattle breed. They are principally bred for beef; in the past it was used also as a draught beast and for milk. They originated in the former Minho province of northe ortugal.
In the past, they were widespread and numerous; in the middle years of the nineteenth century they numbered about 65 000 head, and constituted some 50% of all cattle in Minho. By 1940 their numbers had fallen to about 9500. In 1996 a breed society was formed: the Associação Portuguesa dos Criadores de Bovinos da Raça Minhota, and a herd-book established in 1997. In 2002 the name of the breed was changed to Minhota to distinguish them from the Spanish Rubia Gallega breed of Galicia immediately to the north. | ||
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Miniature cattle are small-sized breeds of domesticated cattle that are kept as pets, for show, or for beef and dairy production on a smaller scale. They typically grow to a height of 36-48 inches and weigh between 600-900 pounds. Some common breeds of miniature cattle include Dexter, Highland, and Miniature Zebu. These breeds are known for their gentle and friendly dispositions, making them popular among small farmers and homesteaders. Miniature cattle require less land and resources compared to full-sized cattle, making them a more sustainable option for small-scale farming.
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The Mirandesa is a cattle breed from Portugal. The Mirandesa breed has the protected geographical status of DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada) from the European Commission.
The breed has a wide neck with a raised and prominent head, marked by a thick and long mane that always covers the base of the color in red. Their horns are curly, thin, small-scale, and end with tips that are turned upwards and inwards, making the level slightly higher than the topknot. The ears are lined with abundant red hair and have touching eyes with a sub-concave source. The head below the eyes is short, broad, and dry, with a short black nasal bone and muzzle bordered by a broad fringe of white hair. Bulls have a short, thick neck with a hook that ... | ||
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This breed seems to
have been originated from the light golden -coated cattle quite similar to
present day Reggiana, at several steps crossbred with Podolico grey cattle. It
takes its name from the area of distribution around the provinces of Modena,
Reggio Emilia, Mantova, Ferrara, Bologna, where it was highly appreciated for
its very good milk production.In 1960 there were about 142.000 heads, at present their number has greatly decreased because of the highly competitive diffusion of cosmopolitan breeds. Since 1985 the Registry Office of autochthonous cattle breeds and ethnic groups of limited diffusion has been founded, in order to protect those Italian cattle breeds at risk of extinction and to safegua ... | ||
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Modicana cattle ares made up of various Sicilian cattle breeds from Modicana, also called Mezzalina and Montanina. The origin as well as the present spreading is situated around the Peloritani mountains, the Nebrodi and the Madonie (Sicily), all of them are difficult areas as to climate and food. Withers height: from 125 to 130 cm. The color of the coat is golden red to dark red towards wine red and black. Horns: short lira-shaped in the heifer, shorter in the male. Wide muzzle: dark grey or very dark red. | ||
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Modicana cattle come from the
ex-county of Modica (province of Ragusa-Sicily). From there it spread
throughout the whole island. It was exported into Sardinia giving birth to the
Modicana Sarda. It is the most important cattle breed in Sicily, for its
consistency and quality as well. Very rustic and frugal breed, lately it has
spread around the whole region being easily apt to any pedoclimatic situation.Since 1985 the Registry Office of autochthonous cattle breeds and ethnic groups of limited diffusion has been founded, in order to protect those Italian cattle breeds at risk of extinction and to safeguard this genetic heritage. Among them there are the following breeds: Agerolese, Bianca Val Padana (Modenese), Burlina, ... | ||
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The Monchina ( Basque: Behi montxina) is a Spanish breed of mountain cattle indigenous to the autonomous communities of Cantabria and the Basque Country in northern Spain. It is related to the Betizu and possibly to the Terreña breeds of cattle of the Basque Country, and is closely associated with the Villano de las Encartaciones breed of dog, which is traditionally used in managing it. It is classified by the Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, the Spanish ministry of agriculture, as a "Raza Autóctona en Peligro de Extinción" or native breed at risk of extinction.
The Terreña originates in the northern part of the province of Álava and the southern part of Bizkaia; some are found in the comarca of Enkarterri in Bizk ... | ||
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Mongolian cattle, a Chinese indigenous breed, are primarily found in Inner Mongolia, but some also exist in the northeast, north, and northwest. Their coat colors vary, including brindle or reddish brown, and can occasionally be seen in black, yellow, or pied. There are two types of Mongolian cattle: Ujumqin and Halhïn Gol. In 1949, limited crossbreeding with European breeds was introduced to improve the breed.
For centuries, Mongolian cattle have been herded by nomads and are prized for their meat. Unfortunately, 40,000 of the breed died in 2008 due to harsh winter conditions. | ||
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Montbéliarde, are a breed of red-pied dairy cattle from the area of Montbéliard, in the département of Doubs, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of eastern France. They are mainly bred for milk production - particularly for cheesemaking.
The name Montbéliarde was first used by Joseph Graber in 1872, when exhibiting a group of cattle at the Langres agricultural competition. Before this the local stock from indigenous multipurpose breeds such as Fémeline and Tourache (later known as Comtoise) had been improved by Mennonite farmers from Switzerland, and named Franco-Swiss. In 1889, the breed was accepted officially, and a stud book was founded. Since 1980, the breed has been selected for good roughage conversion. After 1900, many ... | ||
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Hailing from the picturesque Serchio Valley in Tuscany, the Mucca Pisana is a rare breed facing a fight for survival. Born in the mid-19th century from a union of Bruna and Chianina cattle, these distinctive creatures boast a dark brown to black coat and a wide, white-glowing muzzle. While medium-sized, they stand tall and graceful, adding a touch of elegance to their rustic charm.
Sadly, despite their historical significance and unique characteristics, the Mucca Pisana is critically endangered. To protect this precious genetic heritage, the Registry Office of autochthonous cattle breeds was established in 1985, joining forces with similar initiatives to safeguard Italy''s diverse cattle breeds. This rewrite focuses on ... | ||
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In Austria, Murboden Cattle are primarily bred in Carinthia, Styria, and Lower Austria, and in Slovenia. These mountain cattle serve as beef and milk producers and also as draught animals. They have hair that ranges in color from yellow to light red or gray, with deeper red markings around their horns, eyes, and nose. In Slovenia, the breed is known as Pomurska, and some purebred herds still exist.
People mixed older local mountain breeds, including Murztal Cattle from the Mur Valley, Ennstal Mountain Pieds, and Carinthian Blondvieh to create Murboden Cattle. In the early 19th century, breeding aimed to produce a uniform type, and a herdbook was established in 1869. Cows stand 130 to 140 cm and weigh from 700 to 800 kg ... | ||
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Murnau-Werdenfels Cattle are an old, robust dairy breed from Upper Bavaria, the southernmost part of Germany.
Murboden Cattle are brown-yellow with color variations ranging from straw-yellow to reddish brown. They have black hooves and horn tips, a white rim around their dark muzzle, and are known for their long life and fertility. This German breed adapts well to husbandry in boggy landscapes and originated in Tyrol, Austria. It is closely related to Brown Swiss, Braunvieh, and Tyrolese Grey Cattle. Today, the main breeding region is around Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Murnau, also known as "Werdenfels Country." However, the breed is endangered with only about 130 females in the herdbook and frozen semen from around 11 males. It w ... | ||
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Murray Grey cattle were evolved in the upper Murray River
region in southern New South Wales, Australia in the early 1900’s. They are a
cross between an Angus bull and a roan Shorthorn cow.
Murray Grey cattle are medium in size and fairly early maturing. Their preferred color is silver-gray although there are many variations in the shading of gray. The calves of the breed are small at birth. The cows are good mothers and milk well, and the calves have good rates of growth. Docility seems to be a genuine asset of the breed both in the herd and in the feedlot. The cattle have relatively small heads and bone and are naturally polled. Their survival and reproductive rate has been very satisfactory under ... | ||
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Mursi cattle are a sub-breed of Zebu Cattle. See
Zebu cattle to learn more.
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