Aubrac Cattle

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The Aubrac is a very old French cattle breed of 150 years of breeding history. The breed was created by crossing Braunvieh with Maraichine. The Maraichine Cattle, endangered of extinction, originates directly from the aurochs and is bred in the lowlands south of the Loire River. The Braunvieh originates in the Alps.

Over 30 years ago the French state discovered the Aubrac Cattle in the Auvergne in the Massif Central and was aware of the worth of this breed. Because of the state-aided breeding in a short time there were ca. 10,000 cows inscribed in the studbook. Today ca. 30,000 cows are inscribed in the French studbook, the whole population in France represents ca. 100,000 cows. In Germany there are 2,500 cows, 500 of them inscribed in a studbook.

Because of the selection since years with extensive husbandry conditions a tough breed was developed with a high power of resistance, frugality, easy calving and longevity. Most of the cows are hold as mother cow husbandry. In France, 60 % of the cows are covered by Charolais bulls, because of the ability of the breed for crossing with heavy beef breeds.

[edit] Weblinks

• http://www.race-aubrac.com/