The Marchigiana breed originated in the Marche
and surrounding provinces of Italy near Rome. This area is typified
by rough terrain and the available feed is often less than ideal. The
breed now makes up about 45% of Italy's total cattle population.
There seems to be considerable differences in
opinion as to the exact origin of the breed. According to The Meaty
Marchigiana, a leaflet published by the American International Marchigiana
Society, they were brought into the area by the Barbarians after the
fall of Rome in the fifth century.
Anther version, put forth by Dr. Briggs in Modern
Breeds of Livestock, is that it is a relatively new breed, being
differentiated as late as 1933 and known locally at the time as the
Improved Marche.
According to this version, the indigenous stock
of the area had been intermixed with the Chianina
and two other varieties of mountain cattle. Selection then followed
for the large type of cattle which were desired on the lower and more
fertile slopes of the region where forage was more abundant.
The breed resembles the Chianina in color and
general conformation. They are large and quite muscular but have relatively
refined bone structure. They are a short-haired breed that varies in
color from light gray to almost white.
The skin is pigmented and the tongue, muzzle,
and external opening are black. The tail switch is dark and they are
usually dark around the eyes.
The medium-sized horns are black at the tip,
white in the middle, and have a yellowish cast at the base and usually
curve forward in bulls and upward in females.
Due to the introduction of the poll
gene from foundation females used in grading up, percentage cattle are
often selected for the polled trait in the United States.
The legs are more moderate in length than those
of the Chianina. The selection in Italy has been effective in establishing
a breed that seems to reach sexual maturity early, has easy calving
and good fertility.
The cattle have also been selected to grow rapidly
and utilize feed efficiently. The dispositions are said to be mild under
the variety of conditions under which hey have been used.
Reference:
Briggs, H.M. & D.M. Briggs. Modern Breeds
of Livestock. Fourth Edition. Macmillan Publishing Co. 1980
Mason, I.L. World Dictionary of Livestock
Breeds. Third Edition. C.A.B International. 1988
Promotional materials: American
International Marchigiana Society
Photographs:
American International Marchigiana Society
