Description and characteristics of cows of the red steppe breed, their content
The red steppe breed is very different from other types of cows. The animals endure the intolerable heat of the southern sun, go without water for a long time and, if necessary, are content with poor food. Pets are well known for producing quality milk. Cows are known for their agility. The milk yield of cows depends on the regularity of walks.
Breeding history
The history of the appearance of an unusual breed of cows has been going on for 3 centuries. The steppe part of sunny Ukraine became the homeland of cows. In those early days, German settlers lived on the territory of the city of Melitopol. The zealous colonists crossed the local steppe cows with representatives of the Simmental, Wilstermarsh, Ostfriesian, Red Danish and Angler breeds.
Livestock breeders were specially selected for crossing dairy animals. All cows were similar in genetic traits and metabolism. If earlier local cows were mainly used as a draft force, now the situation has changed. A red steppe breed of animals was born. Dairy cows are distinguished by their rare unpretentiousness to the diet and conditions of detention. They instantly adapt to any climate and rarely get sick. Several years later, the red steppe beauty received official recognition. Cows could be found in farms located in Western Siberia, the Volga region, Kuban and Stavropol Territory.
Today, animals have spread in Kazakhstan, Russia, Moldova and the Caucasus. During the Soviet era, red cows were bred everywhere. In some parts of the country, the livestock of red steppe cattle occupied 80-90% of the total number of cattle.
Detailed description and characteristics of red steppe cows
The unique qualities of the breed are not limited to the ability of animals to adapt to any climatic conditions. Cows are able to do without water for a long time and survive a drought without loss. With good care, animals produce 4-4.5 tons of milk per year. The fat content of the product is 3.7%.
Characteristics of cows:
- The chest in cows is not wide, deep. The girth of the animal's chest reaches 185-190 cm.On average, the pet grows to 127-132 cm.
- The skeleton of the animal is graceful, light. The musculature is poorly developed.
- The mass of adult breeding bulls easily reaches 800-900 kg. Females weigh less - from 450 to 560 kg. Healthy calves gain weight well, and bulls gain 150-170 kg by the age of six months.
- A well-developed loin, powerful legs and a straight, strong back testify to the origin of animals. Their ancestors were used as draft animals to transport salt.
- The length of the elongated body of the animal reaches 165 cm.
- The angular shape of the pet's body is compensated by the beautiful lines of the dry neck.
- A small oblong head of a cow is crowned with a pair of sharp horns. They are directed forward and represent a formidable weapon for people and animals. Because of this feature, the horns of pets are removed.
- The skin has a firm, smooth structure. It does not sag on the animal even with severe weight loss. Red steppe cows often lose weight for various reasons; even a change in weather affects the condition of animals.
- The udder of the pet reaches medium size. It has the shape of a rounded bowl, unevenly developed. When filled with milk, the organ swells greatly. After the milking procedure, the udder is sharply reduced in size, and its surface is collected in folds.
- The skin of a cow is colored red, brownish or reddish-cherry. Some individuals are marked with white spots on the chest, head or udder.
- Skin folds are located under the animal's neck.
Positive and negative sides
The red-steppe cow has a lot of advantages and is simply created for dairy farming. However, for successful breeding and production of dairy products, it is necessary to take into account the disadvantages of the breed.
Is it possible to let the red steppe for slaughter?
The red steppe cow is a dairy cattle, but in some cases the animal is sent for meat. This use of animals can hardly be called profitable, because the net product yield is only 50%. However, the taste of meat is highly valued.
Subtleties of content
Representatives of the red steppe breed do not tolerate keeping on a leash. Animals need constant movement outdoors and indoors. Physical activity of cows will help to avoid postpartum complications and udder swelling. The loose housing of pets helps to increase milk yield and fat content.
Basic care
Basic care of red steppe animals does not require much effort. In winter, cows are kept in a warm, dry environment. For the normal well-being of pets, it is necessary to maintain an air temperature of + 12-22 degrees. The stable is equipped with natural or artificial ventilation. The room must be lit. Windows should occupy 15-20% of the wall area.
In winter, the stall floor is covered with an impressive layer of bedding.Periodically, it is replaced with fresh hay. In the barn, pets are kept in a common herd or individually. In the case of group keeping, sire bulls are separated from their relatives and sent to their personal apartments.
In the case of the birth of a large number of calves, the young are divided into age groups. The older category of bulls corresponds to the age from 1.5 to 2 years. The middle age group is from 1 to 1.5 years old, the youngest is from 6 to 9 months.
For babies, an irreplaceable warm bedding is made, consisting of sawdust and straw. This pillow is treated with a drug to inhibit the growth of pathogenic organisms. The product prevents straw from rotting. Already 3 weeks after birth, the calves need active movement, so a special walking area is equipped for them. Calves are regularly washed and thoroughly combed out, thus getting rid of parasitic insects.
Before each milking procedure, the udder of the cow is carefully washed. Animals are regularly treated with drugs for the prevention of diseases caused by intestinal and pulmonary parasites, and also used against gadfly larvae and ticks.
Dry period
Dry cow is a temporary period of refusal from milking a cow. Depending on the physical condition of the animal, the "vacation" lasts from 50 to 70 days. The pet needs such a rest, because she spends a lot of energy on bearing and feeding offspring. Otherwise, the health of the cow will be undermined. It is impossible to reduce the time of the dry period. Lack of rest leads to decreased milk quality, barrenness, or the birth of an unviable calf.
Breeding
Red-steppe cows mature quickly, therefore, already at the age of 16-19 months, the cow is inseminated. For breeding, select healthy individuals that do not have obvious, external defects. During pregnancy, the cow is fed and watered 3 times a day. It is forbidden to give cold and poor quality food to the cow. Representatives of the breed rarely have difficulty in labor.
The newborn calf is cleared of mucus, rubbed with a piece of soft cloth and returned to the mother.
In the first hours of life, the baby feeds on maternal colostrum. The animal is fed at least 5 times every 24 hours. After a day, warm water is given to the calf. The permissible daily water intake for a baby is 3 liters. After 14 days, the calf is trained to eat solid food. The best food for an animal is hay brewed with boiling water. Before consumption, the food is infused for 6-7 hours.
The health of the newborn calf depends on good hygiene. Excrement must be removed immediately, the dishes must be treated with boiling water. After a successful calving, the horned beauty is provided with a clean bedding and plenty of drink. The animal's diet includes all the necessary vitamins, proteins and trace elements. The cow is taken for a walk every day. The animal needs exercise at any time of the year.
Nutrition
In the summertime, cows get food on the pasture. If there is not enough grass for the animals, the cows are fed with vegetables and concentrates.
Diseases
Animals of the red-steppe breed are famous for their strong immunity, but in some cases it is not possible to avoid the disease. In these cases, it is important to diagnose a dangerous ailment in a timely manner and begin treatment.
Pets are amazed:
- Leptospirosis. A dangerous infectious disease threatens the animal with death. The infection affects the mucous membranes and internal organs of the cow.
- Demodectic mange. The culprit of the disease is a tick.The disease manifests itself in the form of small tubercles covering the head, neck and back of the cow.
- Poisoning. The nuisance happens as a result of animals eating poisonous plants.
What do you need to know when buying?
When buying a calf, you need to know the weight of the young animal. The pet's weight must correspond to the age norm. At 6 months, the goby weighs from 120 to 145 kg. The heifer is gaining up to 90 kg. The animal must be energetic, mobile. When buying an adult cow, pay attention to the udder. It should be free of deformation and hardening.
