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.
The population of Meuse-Rhine-Issel cattle has experienced a significant decrease. In the 1970s, there were over half a million of these cattle, accounting for a quarter of the total dairy cattle population in the Netherlands. However, their numbers fell to 31000 in 1999 and further down to 14000 in 2004. According to the DAD-IS report in 2021, the total population was 9938. Despite the decrease in numbers, large amounts of semen from the breed are preserved in cryo-conservation. Over 925000 doses of semen, which represent almost 250 bulls, are kept in cryo-conservation, with about one-fifth of the bulls from before 1980.
The Meuse-Rhine-Issel played a role in the 20th century as one of the five breeds used for cross-breeding with the British Dairy Shorthorn. This resulted in the creation of the Blended Red-and-White Shorthorn and the near extinction of the original Shorthorn breed. The Dutch Improved Red Pied and Brandrood IJsellvee are modern meat breeds derived from the Meuse-Rhine-Issel. The Brandrood IJsellvee preserves the dark red coloring with little white of the original breed.
The Meuse-Rhine-Issel falls within the Lowland-Pied group of North European cattle; it is red-pied, and of medium-large size.
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About Meuse-Rhine-Issel Cattle
