CATTLE
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RÄTIEN GRAY
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The Rätien Gray, as a small, undemanding and robust tri-purpose breed (milk, meat, labor), was spread over vast areas of the Eastern Alps. Rätien is the ancient Roman province which today includes the areas Graubünden, Tirol and South Bavaria. |
Origin:
Because of the many types of breeding regions and the isolation of the valleys, local varieties have developed. For this reason one distinguished above all in the historical “Rätien Gray Breeding Country” of Switzerland between the smaller, lighter Albula Rätien Gray and the larger, heavier Upland variety.
The individual animals varied markedly in form and color. Color descriptions extended from iron gray, silver gray, dark gray all the way to gray-yellow with a pronounced fox-like mop of hair.
At the end of the 19th century the canton Graubünden was yet a breeding region for the Rätien Gray. Thanks to its reputation as a work and slaughter animal, the market area was large.
Despite these advantages this breed was pressed out beyond the borders of the country by the “modern,” characteristically milk producing Braunvieh at the beginning of the 20th century. In North and South Tirol, in valleys with steep and sparse ground, the Rätien Gray has been maintained as pure stock up to the present.
Through the initiative of the foundation Pro Specie Rara, the small Rätien Gray from North Tirol stock, similar to the Albula variety, was able again to gain a foothold as one of the Swiss cattle breeds belonging to the cultural landscape.
Characteristics of the animal: The current Rätien Gray is an adaptable, long-lived, productive dual-purpose cow, with an optimal conversion of roughage into milk and meat.
With its yet existent original characteristics - small, light, undemanding, robust and adaptable - it is especially suited for use on extreme and remote meadows and pastures, above all in moutainous regions.
Breeding Organization: In 1992 the independent Society of the Rätien Gray Breeders was founded, which is supported by the foundation Pro Specie Rara.
Reference:
Endangered Domestic Animal Breeds 1995, Pro Specie Rara, Engelgasse 12a, CH-9000 St. Gallen, Switzerland, Telefon xx41/(0)71/222 74 20, Fax xx41/(0)71/223 74 01. German Translation provided by John te Velde, Associate Professor of German, Oklahoma State University