In the course of their history Belarus Red
cattle were repeatedly improved by infusion of the blood of the superior
related red breeds.
During the last 100 years the blood of six
breeds was used, Angeln and German Red at the end of the last and
early in this century, Polish Red and Danish Red in the twenties and
thirties, and Estonian Red and Latvian Brown in the fifties of this
century. The blood of Danish Red cattle is currently being introduced
again.
A study carried out in Grodno region in 1948-49
proved that it is expedient to breed the Belarus Red inter se. They
are of a single type, adapted to the local ecological, climatic and
feeding conditions, and undemanding as to feed. They respond to improved
feeding and management by increased milk production and high fat percentage.
The breeding of these cattle was carried out
at the Vasilishkovskaya animal husbandry experiment station. In 1967
volume 1 of the National Herdbook of the Belarus Red breed was published.
At present, Belarus Red cattle are found in all regions of Belarus;
however, they are commonest in Grodno and Minsk regions. In 1980 they
numbered 429,000.
The appearance of the Belarus Red cows is characterized
by the following features. The head is medium long, not wide, with
a long face. The poll is pronounced. The horns are of medium size.
The neck is thin and of moderate length.
The withers are not sharp, occasionally divided.
The chest is of medium depth, wide enough. The back is level, slightly
narrow. The loin is long and level, of medium width. The mid-part
of the body is well developed. The abdomen is capacious, not drooping.
The rump is level, slightly raised.
The hindquarters are of medium length and width,
with protruding hips. The legs are comparatively thin, bony, not long,
correctly set. Sometimes legs are splayed or bowed. The udder is medium
in volume, glandular, cup-shaped or roundish.
The teats are cylindrical, of medium size.
The skin is thin, elastic, mobile. The skeleton is light and strong.
The musculature is moderately developed. The conformation is harmonious
and compact; the constitution delicate.
The color is red or rust-red of various shades.
many animals are noted for their longevity, while maintaining normal
reproduction.
Body measurements (in cm) are as follows: withers
height 128.7, chest depth 68.6, oblique body length 158.3, chest girth
189.8, cannon bone girth 19.4 (National Herdbook, vol. 1, 1967). The
average live weight of mature cows is 420-500 kg (maximum 530 kg);
that of the bulls is 750-850 kg (950-1000 kg maximum).
The potential of the modern Belarus Red cattle
has not been completely realized.
The average milk yield of the stock evaluated
at the breeding farms in 1981 was 2557 kg with 3.69% fat; at the best
farms it was 3053 kg with 3.62% fat. In the herd of Vasilishkovski
breeding center in Grodno region the average milk yield in 1982 was
2507 kg with 3.73% fat.
In recent years several groups of cows of
this herd and of Shchuchin experimental station averaged 4514 kg of
milk with 4.08% fat. In her 4th lactation cow Vyetv 2016 produced
5986 kg of milk with 3.91% fat and 3.70% protein; Malta produced in
her 3rd lactation, 6056 kg of milk with 4.55% fat; Volna produced,
in her 4th lactation, 5906 kg with 4.85% fat.
Beef and fattening qualities of Belarus Red
cattle are satisfactory: under favorable conditions of feeding and
management the young stock display a high growth rate and early maturity.
The breed comprises 6 basic lines and 2.'D
families. To preserve these cattle conservation herds have been set
up and a bank of frozen semen of the best sires of all basic lines
has been established.
The breeding program for the improvement of
Belarus Red cattle aims at the following parameters for the purebreds:
the live weight of mature cows should be 500-540 kg, the milk production
per lactation should be 4.5-5.0 thousand kg with fat content of 4.0-4.2%
and protein content not less than 3.6%.
Reference:
Dmitriez, N.G. and Ernst, L.K. (1989) Animal
Genetic Resources of the USSR. Animal Production and Health Paper
Publ. by FAO,
Rome, 517 pp.
Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock
Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International.
273 pp.
Photographs:
Dmitriez, N.G. and Ernst, L.K. (1989) Animal
Genetic Resources of the USSR. Animal Production and Health Paper
Publ. by FAO,
Rome, 517 pp.
We would like to include images of this breed
in our information. If you have photographs, slides or video of
this breed which we could borrow or if you know of a potential source
please contact us using the comment form below.
