Until the beginning of the 20th century, longhorned Gray Steppe cattle
were the foremost breed in Hungary. Used both for draft purposes and
for beef, they were yoked in teams of four or more to pull merchant
wagons across the steppes, sometimes in long caravans.
However beginning about 1850, they began to
decrease in numbers due to crossbreeding and the increasing use of
Simmental.
In 1861 a superior herd of a Hungarian nobleman
was moved to a state farm. Here the breed was selected for early
maturity and heavy muscling. In addition, some lines were selected
for increased milk production.
But the breed continued to lose popularity.
By 1975, only two herds remained with a total of 300 cows. By 1982
stock had increased to 850 cows in 6 herds. One of these herds is
in the open-air museum at Hortobagy.
The Hungarian Steppe cow weighs an average of 535 kg, with a height
at the withers of 135 cm. The average bull weighs 700 kg and stands
150 cm at the withers.
Reference:
Genus Bos: Cattle Breeds of the World, 1985,
MSO-AGVET (Merck & Co., Inc.), Rahway, N.J.
Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock
Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International.
273 pp.
Photographs:
Pascal Delperdange, Belgium
Pierre Bonard, Brûlées 54, CH
- 1093 La Conversion (VD), Switzerland
