Kalmyk breed of cows: description and characteristics, rules of keeping

Kalmyk breed of cattle is considered unique and universal among the varieties of meat. These are productive animals, unpretentious, long adapted to the harsh conditions of detention. Consider the description and productive characteristics of the Kalmyk breed of cows, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as how to keep and care for animals.

History of Kalmyk cows

The breed was bred in the steppes of Central and Central Asia, under strict selection - the animals lived on the pasture for a whole year under often adverse climatic conditions.This contributed to the development of unique qualities, enshrined in the breed, which it is valued today. Kalmyk cows have been bred for 400 years in the territory from Siberia to the Don steppes, it is believed that their ancestors are Indian individuals, which then spread throughout Asian territory.

The exterior and characteristics of pedigree animals have been developed due to natural selection, constant keeping in the open air, in a harsh climate, and sudden changes in temperature.

Description and main characteristics

Kalmyk cows tolerate cold without problems, they have excellent immunity, individuals grow quickly on what they find on pastures. Animals are distinguished by longevity, stamina, activity and undemanding, strong and harmonious build with well-developed muscles.

Cattle of this steppe breed have a strong, long body. Individuals have a flat back, deep chest, short neck, small head. The horns are curved, pointing upwards, the legs are straight. A special breed feature is the occipital crest.

Cattle of the Kalmyk breed - a pronounced meat orientation, so the udders of milking queens are not large. By the onset of winter, thick wool begins to grow in bulls and heifers, thanks to which individuals can stand outside in the cold. The main color is red, with white markings, but also animals are born red or brown-and-white. Markings appear more often on the limbs and head, less often on the body.

Growth at the withers in bulls and cows - 140 and 130 cm, girth behind the shoulder blades - at least 186 cm, body length - 145-160 cm. Bull weight, on average, 950 kg (up to 1100 kg), cows - on average, 480 kg.

Milk productivity of Kalmyk heifers - 1-1.2 thousand liters. The maximum registered milk yields are 2-2.5 tons. Despite the weak milk yields, the milk of representatives of the breed is fatty - up to 4.5%.

The production value of the Kalmyk breed lies in their meat, which stands out for its high quality, has a delicious taste, and is distinguished by a pronounced “marbling”, which is appreciated by consumers.Fat is located between the muscle fibers layers. The yield of meat is, on average, 60%, maximum - 68%. Kalmyk bulls can be slaughtered at 1.5 years old, at which time they already weigh 450-550 kg. Adult males of the breed weigh at least 600 kg, bull sires can weigh up to a ton. Females weigh 400-550 kg. Daily weight gain - not less than 850-980 g.

Good and bad sides

Cows are hardy and unpretentious, you can raise animals in any climate, do not require special conditions. Animals can gain good weight gain only on roughage, grass, which they eat in the pasture. Young growth demonstrates survival and precocity, quickly fattening on simple feed.

From each carcass of an adult individual, it is possible to obtain high-quality meat in a large percentage of carcass weight, fatty milk.A distinctive feature of the Kalmyk breed is the ability to accumulate fat for the onset of cold weather, which was developed in animals during the selection process.

Fat deposits in cows are not only under the skin, but also between muscle fibers. In winter, cows can use it as energy reserves. Thanks to such protection, cows easily endure cold and heat, sudden temperature changes, exposure to wind, rain, and quickly adapt to new conditions after hauls. According to livestock breeders, only this breed has such characteristics.

Disadvantages of Kalmyk cows: small milk yields, yellow fat, which sometimes interferes with the sale of meat, the possible aggressiveness of some representatives of the breed.

How to care for and maintain Kalmyk cows?

It has already been noted that the breed is unpretentious in terms of feed, maintenance and care complex. Thoroughbred animals, unlike representatives of other species, require almost no care, selected feed.

Care

Cows and bulls can live almost year-round in the pasture, they do not need to arrange special paddocks next to the barn. For rest, animals are content with covered stalls, where they can stay up to 6 hours a day. Cow care consists in sowing grasses, caring for pastures. Even in winter, if there is not much snow, you can leave the animals on the pasture. In fenced areas, they can be grazed without the help of shepherds, which makes maintenance extremely cheap.

Diseases and their treatment

Kalmyk cows stand out for their good he alth and strong immunity. If you do not violate the rules of keeping, the cattle do not get sick. In the case of infectious or other diseases, the treatment is the same as for representatives of other varieties.

Feeding

Cattle of this breed has an active developed digestive system, is able to feed almost exclusively on pasture vegetation, for example, forbs, coarse grass.Animals are able to gain mass on tall grass without feeding with concentrated feed (adults - in 3-4 months, young animals - in 5 months).

They can walk tens of kilometers in search of suitable food, tolerate winter conditions well, and can get food from under the snow. That is, cows can be kept on free grazing, giving them only clean water: animals up to 250 kg - 35-40 liters per day, more than 350 kg of weight - 60 liters. You need to drink 3-4 times a day, more often in summer. Feed additives are obligatory - chalk and s alt. Producers are fed with hay, silage, root crops, mixed fodder. Every day, cows should rest for 5-6 hours.

In order for the cows to be fed, the pasture must be changed every week, the cattle should be returned to it in a month and a half, when the grass grows. The calves are kept together with their mothers on the suckling method of rearing, which lasts 8 months. The suckling period during the winter-spring birth of calves falls just in the pasture period, so by the time of weaning, the cost of babies is minimal.Due to the low milk production, calves drink it almost entirely, so milkmaids are practically not needed to milk cows on farms.

Features of breeding

The breed of Kalmyk cattle is used to improve other varieties and to obtain new meat breeds. The breed itself is also being improved, selecting the best representatives for breeding. The most valuable qualities of the breed are unpretentiousness, precocity, rapid weight gain. When using bulls as improvers, the qualities are passed on to descendants, which makes it possible to obtain high-quality offspring from cows of other breeds.

Calves are left with their mothers until weaning, some females may be aggressive towards humans to protect the calf. The cows are prolific, 89-95 calves appear for every hundred queens.By 8 months of age, they can weigh 180 kg (heifers) and 240 kg (calves). Then they are sent for rearing and fattening, at 1.5 years they reach slaughter weight. According to these indicators, the Kalmyk breed meets all the requirements of beef cattle breeding. It is especially important here that cows are able to produce many calves, which are considered the main products of beef cows, since they do not receive milk from them.

In the case of the Kalmyk breed, the cost of production is greatly reduced due to keeping cows on pasture, feeding roughage.

Kalmyk cows are happily raised by farmers, the popularity of this breed is explained by the fact that animals are able to grow quickly and gain weight, making do with herbal food and modest care. Cattle of this breed require minimal care, do not cause problems, can live on pasture, do not need a comfortable room.

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