The red steppe breed of dairy cows is defined as one of the best in the post-Soviet space. Animals are perfectly adapted to the dry climate of the steppe zones. By number in the world livestock breed is the fourth and second in Ukraine and Russia. Cows of this breed can be found in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, the Caucasus.
History
The history of the derivation dates back to the 18th century. At that time, animals on the vast steppes grazed animals extremely hardy, but with low productivity. Geographically - this is the southern regions of Ukraine, more precisely, the Zaporizhzhya region. It is symbolic that such a breed was born on the banks of the Molochnaya River.
An increase in milk production required the infusion of blood of highly milking individuals. The red steppe breed of cows (photo in the text) has a controversial origin. Specialists are united in only one thing - imported cattle took part in the creation. There are several versions of the origin:
- the method of absorption crossing and partially reproductive Great Russian and gray Ukrainian breeds (both local ones) with red German cattle was applied;
- this is a local native breed, formed about 150 years ago and known as the “Red Colonist” or “Red German”, it got its name from its owners of German colonists;
- it is a cross between Swiss and Franconian cattle;
- it is a cross between other animals - of Tronder and angel;
- this is a complex crossing of gray local Ukrainian cattle, first with the red Ostfriesland, and then with the Angelic, Wilstermarsch and some other European breeds.
Obtained by the beginning of the 19th century, an array of a fairly homogeneous livestock was bred “in itself”. The breed received registration in 1923, it began to be bred in pedigree farms of the former USSR. The red steppe breed of cows in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus in terms of the number of livestock does not fall below third place.
Tribal work
The creation and further improvement of the breed is painstaking work. It is inextricably linked with the socio-economic development of the state, and plays an important historical role. The red steppe breed of cows was no exception. Features of breeding at the very first stages were as follows:
- conducted a selection of milk production;
- animals were carefully selected on constitutional grounds;
- after birth, the calves were immediately taken away and crushed by cows without a baby;
- the settlers were confident in the close relationship between productivity and color (it was believed that cows of red and red-brown color gave large milk yields), and cows were also selected on this basis.
The result of a long (more than 100 years) selection in certain climatic conditions was the creation of a pedigree group of steppe hardy dairy cows of red color with a characteristic exterior and relatively high productivity.
Mass mechanization of milking processes required an improvement in the number of livestock according to the criteria for the shape of the udder and an increase in milk yield. In the 60s of the twentieth century, red steppe cows were winged by Angler bulls. The choice of these animals is not accidental:
- firstly, the breeds have related genetics;
- secondly, they have a similar type of metabolism;
- thirdly, they have the same direction of productivity;
- fourthly, Angler individuals have high milk yield, a large percentage of fat in milk, a greater live weight, and most importantly - better adaptability to machine milking.
Subsequently, a blood flow of the Danish breed was performed. In the 90s, three-breed crossbreeds yielded up to four and a half thousand liters of milk with a fat content of 3.82%. Holstein played an important role in shaping the current appearance of animals. Each breed left its mark:
- red steppe cattle - endurance and adaptability to living conditions;
- Anglers - manufacturability of the udder and a high percentage of fat content;
- "Danes" - long-term use and high milk yield;
- Holstein - a large live weight, an improved form of the udder, adapted to machine milking.
Characteristic
To date, animals are considered one of the best in Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan. What is the red steppe breed of cows? Characteristic:
- bred in the 18-19 centuries in Ukraine;
- type of productivity - dairy;
- have a dry physique, strong constitution;
- live weight of bulls - up to 900 kg, cows - 400-500 kg;
- calf birth weight: heifers - 27-30 kg, calves - 35-40 kg;
- average milk yield per breed - 3,500-4,000 kg (in breeding breeds - 4,500-6,000 kg), with a fat content of 3.5%;
- economic use - 4.74 lactations;
- heifers of a random age reach 18 months, with a live weight of 320-350 kg.
Productivity
The red steppe breed of cows is considered good in milk production. According to the breed, the average milk yield is from 3,500 to 4,000 kg of milk. Pedigree farms have higher rates: milk yield on average from 4,000 to 5,000 kg, record-holders are able to produce up to twelve thousand liters of milk, fat content can reach 5%.
Milking depends on the quality of the pasture and the duration of the pasture season. The best indicators can be achieved in the steppe zone. Animals are fertile, in three years from one female you can get four offspring. The break between calving is a little over a year (380 days). To prevent cow poisoning, run from 40 to 60 days.
The meat quality of the breed is low, slaughter yield does not exceed 50%. With targeted fattening of young animals, the meat yield increases, but only slightly. The skeleton of animals is light, with poorly developed muscles. To grow such cows for meat is not economically profitable.
Exterior
Typical external features characteristic of animals of the dairy direction are the red steppe breed of cows. Exterior Description:
- height at the withers - 127-132 cm;
- chest circumference –183-190 cm;
- oblique length - 154-160 cm;
- metacarpal girth - 18-19 cm;
- color from light red to dark cherry, white marks are acceptable;
- the muscles are undeveloped;
- the body is angular, elongated;
- the neck is dry, narrow;
- the head is light, slightly elongated;
- the back is long and even;
- legs are strong, dry;
- the chest is narrow, deep;
- udder of medium size, glandular.
Care
The red steppe breed of cows is unpretentious and quick to adapt to environmental conditions.
Keeping animals:
- Summer period. The best option is free grazing on pastures. Location - within 2 kilometers of the farm. They are equipped with awnings and a water hole. Often practice summer camps, with milking points.
- Winter stall period. Animals are kept in cowsheds with tethered or loose housing. Conditions must comply with the standards of pet hygiene.
- Feeding. In the pasture, they must ensure that the animals have enough food, if necessary, they feed them with root crops and compound feeds. In winter, the basis of the diet is hay, mixed feed and straw are added, silage is used as juicy feed (not more than 25% of the total diet), root crops, and necessarily include mineral additives.
- Disease Prevention Vaccination against infectious diseases.
- Care. From time to time, contaminated wool is removed from the animals, the udder is thoroughly washed with each milking, and horns and hooves are trimmed before the grazing period.
Features
Animals of this breed are also kept in private farmsteads throughout the post-Soviet space. It is especially popular in the steppe zones of Ukraine, Kazakhstan in Altai, southern Russia. The red steppe breed of cows (owner reviews pay attention to this) is very hardy and perfectly adapts to various climatic conditions. It calmly tolerates dry summers and hot weather.
Of the features of the breed are especially noted:
- powerful immunity saves animals from the scourge of dairy farming - leukemia;
- quick acclimatization;
- unpretentiousness of the content;
- excellent stamina;
- good responsiveness to improved maintenance and feeding;
- high nutritional and taste qualities of milk.
By the names of the offspring that exist today in the breed, one can judge the degree of popularity of the breed: Ukrainian, Kuban, Kazakh, West Siberian, Kulundai (Altai).
Highscores
Over the past half century, several dozen cows have been registered with the following indicators:
- for lactation of more than 10,000 kg –14 goals;
- for lactation 9000-9999 kg - 32 heads.
The milk fat content was at least 3.69%. The bulk of this livestock is grown in pedigree factories in Ukraine and Kazakhstan. It is not uncommon for cows of a herd of such farms to have a milk yield of 6000 kg. The red steppe breed of cows boasts amazing record holders:
- milk yield - 10 170 kg;
- fat content - 4.0%;
- economy - collective farm “Proletarian fighter”, Zaporizhzhya region, Ukraine.
- milk yield - 10 497 kg;
- fat content - 4.05%;
- economy - tribal plant them. Kirova, Kherson region, Ukraine.
- milk yield - 11 100 kg;
- fat content - 4.02%;
- economy - breeding plant "Severo-Lyubinsky", Omsk region, Russia.
- milk yield –12,426 kg;
- fat content - 3.82%;
- economy - breeding factory "Karaganda", Karaganda region, Kazakhstan.