Hinterwald Cattle
Encyclopedia
The Hinterwald is an old local breed of cattle
from the Black Forest
. There is a breed association in Germany and one in Switzerland.
The cows are small, only 115 to 125 cm (45.3 to 49.2 ) tall and weighing 380 to 480 kg (837.8 to 1,058.2 ), making them the smallest breed of cattle still extant in Central Europe
. The head is mostly white, the remainder of the coat being pied light yellow to dark red-brown. Having been bred to cope with extreme conditions, such as cold winters, steep pastures and a frugal diet, they are well adapted to the Alpine climate
. They are used for both beef
and milk
production and are noted for their thriftiness, longevity and lack of calving difficulties.
These qualities have led to a significant rise in the number of Hinterwald cows in the Swiss Alps
since the introduction of a breeding programme initiated by Pro Specie Rara, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of endangered domestic species. However, the breed is still endangered. The government of Baden-Wurttemberg
pays husbandry bonuses to conserve it.
The breed was "Domestic Animal of the Year" in Germany in 1992.
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
from the Black Forest
Black Forest
The Black Forest is a wooded mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, southwestern Germany. It is bordered by the Rhine valley to the west and south. The highest peak is the Feldberg with an elevation of 1,493 metres ....
. There is a breed association in Germany and one in Switzerland.
The cows are small, only 115 to 125 cm (45.3 to 49.2 ) tall and weighing 380 to 480 kg (837.8 to 1,058.2 ), making them the smallest breed of cattle still extant in Central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
. The head is mostly white, the remainder of the coat being pied light yellow to dark red-brown. Having been bred to cope with extreme conditions, such as cold winters, steep pastures and a frugal diet, they are well adapted to the Alpine climate
Alpine climate
Alpine climate is the average weather for a region above the tree line. This climate is also referred to as mountain climate or highland climate....
. They are used for both beef
Beef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from bovines, especially domestic cattle. Beef can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers or steers. It is one of the principal meats used in the cuisine of the Middle East , Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Europe and the United States, and is also important in...
and 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...
production and are noted for their thriftiness, longevity and lack of calving difficulties.
These qualities have led to a significant rise in the number of Hinterwald cows in the Swiss Alps
Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps are the portion of the Alps mountain range that lies within Switzerland. Because of their central position within the entire Alpine range, they are also known as the Central Alps....
since the introduction of a breeding programme initiated by Pro Specie Rara, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of endangered domestic species. However, the breed is still endangered. The government of Baden-Wurttemberg
Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states of Germany. Baden-Württemberg is in the southwestern part of the country to the east of the Upper Rhine, and is the third largest in both area and population of Germany's sixteen states, with an area of and 10.7 million inhabitants...
pays husbandry bonuses to conserve it.
The breed was "Domestic Animal of the Year" in Germany in 1992.
External links
- Pro Specie Rara (German, French, Italian)
- Oklahoma State University breed description
- Macaulay Institute study of Black Forest farming
- Gefährdete Nutztiere - Informationen der Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen e.V.
- Informationen eines Landwirtes
- Etliche Fotos von Tieren der Rasse Hinterwälder Rind