This breed designation originated in 1961 when the Norwegian Red-and-White,
Red Trondheim and the Red Polled Østland. Later in 1963 the
Døle was also absorbed into the designation and in 1968 South
and West Norwegians were added.
Others breeds which have been said to contribute to the gene pool
include Ayshires, Swedish Red-and-Whites, Friesians and Holsteins.
By 1975, 98% of the Norwegian national herd belonged to this designation.
Using the classical definition the Norwegian Red cannot be considered
a breed.
It is an amalgamation to develop superior strain of dual-purpose
cattle. With time and selection this designation may develop into
a breed but this is not the case yet.
Cows are selected for milking potential, rate of milk flow and fertility,
while bulls are selected on the basis of performance in a rate-of-growth
test. Norwegian Red cattle do not express the external uniformity
seen in true breed, although they are red or red-pied for the most
part. Cows weigh about 495 kg; bulls about 900 kg. Milk yields average
5,804 kg per lactation.
Reference:
Genus Bos: Cattle Breeds of the World, 1985, MSO-AGVET (Merck
& Co., Inc.), Rahway, N.J.
Mason, I.L. World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds. Third Edition.
C.A.B International. 1988
Photographs:
Norwegian
Cattle, P.O. Box 4123, N-2301 Hamar, Norway, Telephone 47 62 52
06 00, Fax 47 62 52 06 10
