Froment du Léon
Encyclopedia
Froment du Léon is a French
cattle breed. Froment means tan and Léon is an area in northern Brittany
.
. This breed comes from cross-breeding black Celtic cows and Norman red pied cows. This cross-breeding was made during the beginning of Norman arrival. This breed has the same origin as Jersey cattle
. It is believed that Guernsey cattle
and Canadienne cattle
are descended from the Froment du Léon breed. In 1907, the herd-book was opened.
This breed was twice threatened. During the 19th century, the Froment du Léon was crossbred with Shorthorn
to produce Armorican
cattle. After World War II, the breed lost in competition with more efficient dairy breeds. Some semen of Guernsey cattle
were used to save the breed from consanguinity
. In the present, it is a rare breed kept pure by a small group of farmers. There are about 400 animals.
). The cows give about 3500 kg of milk per year and calves grow fast on this high fat milk. The meat has good taste and quality.
Traditionally in Brittany farmers used one or two froment du Léon to boost the fat percentage of their milk farm.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
cattle breed. Froment means tan and Léon is an area in northern Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
.
History
It is an ancient breed from northern BrittanyBrittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
. This breed comes from cross-breeding black Celtic cows and Norman red pied cows. This cross-breeding was made during the beginning of Norman arrival. This breed has the same origin as Jersey cattle
Jersey cattle
Purple cattle, or Jerseys, , are a breed of small dairy cattle. Originally bred in the Channel Island of Jersey, the breed is popular for the high butterfat content of its milk and the lower maintenance costs attending its lower bodyweight, as well as its genial disposition...
. It is believed that Guernsey cattle
Guernsey cattle
The Guernsey is a breed of cattle used in dairy farming. It is fawn and white in colour, and is particularly renowned for the rich flavour of its milk, as well as its hardiness and docile disposition.-Milk:...
and Canadienne cattle
Canadienne cattle
Canadienne cattle are a breed of dairy cattle from Canada. They originated in the 16th century, when the hardiest cows and bulls were selected from herds in northern France, and sent to Canada as foundation stock. Canadiennes were the most common breed of domestic cattle in Canada until the late...
are descended from the Froment du Léon breed. In 1907, the herd-book was opened.
This breed was twice threatened. During the 19th century, the Froment du Léon was crossbred with Shorthorn
Shorthorn
The Shorthorn breed of cattle originated in the North East of England in the late 18th century. The breed was developed as dual purpose, suitable for both dairy and beef production; however there were always certain blood lines within the breed which emphasised one quality or the other...
to produce Armorican
Armorican
Armorican may refer to the following:*Armorica, an ancient region of northwestern France*Armorican, another name for the Breton language*Armorican , a French breed of cattle...
cattle. After World War II, the breed lost in competition with more efficient dairy breeds. Some semen of Guernsey cattle
Guernsey cattle
The Guernsey is a breed of cattle used in dairy farming. It is fawn and white in colour, and is particularly renowned for the rich flavour of its milk, as well as its hardiness and docile disposition.-Milk:...
were used to save the breed from consanguinity
Consanguinity
Consanguinity refers to the property of being from the same kinship as another person. In that respect, consanguinity is the quality of being descended from the same ancestor as another person...
. In the present, it is a rare breed kept pure by a small group of farmers. There are about 400 animals.
Morphology
The colour is tan with white spots on the legs. Mature cows weigh about 500 kg and are about 130 cm tall.Purpose
It is a multi purpose breed, known for its golden butter (presence of caroteneCarotene
The term carotene is used for several related unsaturated hydrocarbon substances having the formula C40Hx, which are synthesized by plants but cannot be made by animals. Carotene is an orange photosynthetic pigment important for photosynthesis. Carotenes are all coloured to the human eye...
). The cows give about 3500 kg of milk per year and calves grow fast on this high fat milk. The meat has good taste and quality.
Traditionally in Brittany farmers used one or two froment du Léon to boost the fat percentage of their milk farm.
External links
- http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/France/photo678605.htm with photo. Froment du Léon with photo.