Marchigiana
Encyclopedia
The Marchigiana is a breed of cattle
native to Italy
. Originating specifically in the Marche
region, the Marchigiana is a large breed kept for beef today. Prior to the 1950s it was also bred for draft work as oxen.
The Marchigiana was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by crossing native Podolian cattle with the Chianina
and Romagnola
breeds. Today it still bears a close confirmational resemblance to the Chianina, though it is not as tall. Marchigiana makes up 45% of the beef herd in Italy and have been exported internationally to the United States and elsewhere. The cattle are fast maturing, are both polled
and horned, and have a short white/grey coat. They occasionally exhibit double muscling.
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...
native to Italy
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...
. Originating specifically in the Marche
Marche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
region, the Marchigiana is a large breed kept for beef today. Prior to the 1950s it was also bred for draft work as oxen.
The Marchigiana was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by crossing native Podolian cattle with the Chianina
Chianina
The Chianina is an Italian breed of cattle, formerly principally a draught breed, now raised mainly for beef. It is the largest and one of the oldest cattle breeds in the world...
and Romagnola
Romagnola
Romagnola are a breed of beef cattle from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. They are bred primarily for beef production and were often used as draught beasts in the past. They are white or grey coated with a black pigmented skin and have upward curving horns. Calves are born red coated but soon...
breeds. Today it still bears a close confirmational resemblance to the Chianina, though it is not as tall. Marchigiana makes up 45% of the beef herd in Italy and have been exported internationally to the United States and elsewhere. The cattle are fast maturing, are both polled
Polled livestock
Polled livestock are livestock without horns, of species that normally have them. The term refers both to breeds or strains which are naturally polled through selective breeding and also to naturally horned animals which have been dehorned...
and horned, and have a short white/grey coat. They occasionally exhibit double muscling.