About Murnau-Werdenfels Cattle

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 was named the Endangered Breed of the Year 2007 by the German Society for the Conservation of Old and Endangered Livestock Breeds. The Federal State of Bavaria supports the breed through a suckler herd of cows, a sperm bank, and financial support to breeders. It is also part of the Ark of Taste of the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity, which aims to preserve endangered agricultural heritage.

Murdoden cows produce around 4300 kg of milk per year (3.8% fat; 3.4% protein). They reach 128–130 cm in height and a weight of 500–600 kg, while the bulls may reach 138–145 cm and 850–950 kg.[citation needed] Both bulls and bullocks may be used for beef production. Bullocks formerly served as strong draught oxen, and were an important source of income for small farms.

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