Burlina cow
Encyclopedia
The Burlina cow breed is principally found in pre-alpine regions of north-east Italy
including the Veneto
and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol regions. It is used principally in the production of milk
.
black and white coat. Burlina is hardy and rugged and resists well to illnesses. Because of this there is less need for using antibiotics, which allows the production of quality milk. Burlina is known also for its resistance to tuberculosis
. It has very good grazing capabilities well adapted for poor to marginal mountain regions.
in the early 20th century counting tens of thousands of heads. The herd declined significantly during the first and second world wars and slowly during the fifties and sixties. It was mostly replaced by the Holstein
which was deemed more productive.
The milk produced from the Burlina cow in alpine environments has a special grass flavor. Milk from this cow is notably used in the production of the regional Morlacco
cheese which, like the Burlina breed itself, is included in the Ark of Taste
catalogue.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
including the Veneto
Veneto
Veneto is one of the 20 regions of Italy. Its population is about 5 million, ranking 5th in Italy.Veneto had been for more than a millennium an independent state, the Republic of Venice, until it was eventually annexed by Italy in 1866 after brief Austrian and French rule...
and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol regions. It is used principally in the production of milk
Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
.
Principal Characteristics
The Burlina is good natured and known for its particularly strong maternal instincts. Burlina has small body build. It has a piebaldPiebald
A piebald or pied animal is one that has a spotting pattern of large unpigmented, usually white, areas of hair, feathers, or scales and normally pigmented patches, generally black. The colour of the animal's skin underneath its coat is also pigmented under the dark patches and unpigmented under...
black and white coat. Burlina is hardy and rugged and resists well to illnesses. Because of this there is less need for using antibiotics, which allows the production of quality milk. Burlina is known also for its resistance to tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
. It has very good grazing capabilities well adapted for poor to marginal mountain regions.
History
The Burlina was one of the main breeds present in northeastern ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in the early 20th century counting tens of thousands of heads. The herd declined significantly during the first and second world wars and slowly during the fifties and sixties. It was mostly replaced by the Holstein
Holstein
Holstein is the region between the rivers Elbe and Eider. It is part of Schleswig-Holstein, the northernmost state of Germany....
which was deemed more productive.
The milk produced from the Burlina cow in alpine environments has a special grass flavor. Milk from this cow is notably used in the production of the regional Morlacco
Morlacco
Morlacco or Morlacco di Grappa originates from Mount Grappa where cheesemakers once produced a soft cow's milk cheese, low in fat, with an uncooked curd that was named after their native region: Morlacchia.The local Burlina cows - a breed that is at risk of extinction - produced the milk used for...
cheese which, like the Burlina breed itself, is included in the Ark of Taste
Ark of Taste
The Ark of Taste is an international catalogue of heritage foods in danger of extinction which is maintained by the global Slow Food movement. The Ark is designed to preserve at-risk foods that are sustainably produced, unique in taste, and part of a distinct ecoregion...
catalogue.