The Morucha originated in the region of Salamanca in
Spain. With a current population of 161,000 animals it is an important
Spanish breed.
Historically the breed was used as a draft animal
and has been used to produce fighting bulls but it is currently primarily
used for beef production. They are thought to have originated
from Black Iberian cattle.
Current (1999) ranked geographic distribution
would be as follows: Salamanca, Cáceres, Samara, Ávila,
Valladolid, Badajoz, Palencia, Toledo, Jaén, Ciudad Real, Madrid
and some areas of Portugal.
It is average in size with the males weighing
as much as 900 kilograms and Morucha females up to 500 kilograms. It
is either black or blue-roan (gray).
The breed shows a strong maternal instinct and
good fertility rate with a productive life of 14 to 16 years.
The breed exhibits good foraging abilities and is adapted well to less
intensive production systems.
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.
Morucha Association, Spain
Photographs:
Morucha Association, Spain
Pierre Bonard, Ch. des Brulees 54, CH - 1093
La Conversion, Switzerland.
