Gascon cattle
Encyclopedia
Gascon Cattle is a breed
of cow. Two different types of this breed of cattle are: à muqueuses noires and aréolé
. These were combined in 1955 into a single herdbook, but in 1999 they were once again made two different breeds.
is another. Unlike other cows, Gascon cows are in labor for a much shorter time period. Also cows that have an easy time giving birth will settle to the bull
more quickly which would give the mother cow a longer productive life. Another characteristic of the Gascon is that their calves get stronger and gain more weight faster than other types of cows. Also Gascon cows don't need to eat as much as other types of cow because they don't usually have much food sources making them adapt to these conditions, but still be able to maintain condition and settle in calf
more quickly. Gascon cows have gray coat, but are born red getting their gray coat at about the 4th month of life. Bull
s are gray, but have black shading underneath. Mature cows weigh 550 to 700 kg and stand 135 cm at the shoulder; bulls average 145 cm in height and 800 to 950 kg in weight.
, where the harsh climate and limited resources led to the adaptations found in this breed. Because of these adaptations, Gacson cattle can survive and work hard in basically any condition. Because they spend their winters in the low lands and there summers
high on the Pyrenees, they are used to huge changes in the climate
.
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
of cow. Two different types of this breed of cattle are: à muqueuses noires and aréolé
Areole
Areoles are an important diagnostic feature of cacti, and identify them as a family distinct from other succulent plants. The areoles on cacti are clearly visible; they generally appear as small light- to dark-colored bumps, out of which grow clusters of spines...
. These were combined in 1955 into a single herdbook, but in 1999 they were once again made two different breeds.
Characteristics
The Gascon have many characteristics that make them from different from any other breed of cow. Hardness to their fur is one. The hardness of the fur enables the Gascon to tolerate cold weather better than other cows. Plus it is very thick meaning it is able to shed water well. The ease of calvingCalving
Calving may refer to:*Calving, the process of giving birth to a calf*Ice calving, the process by which an iceberg breaks off from an ice shelf or glacier...
is another. Unlike other cows, Gascon cows are in labor for a much shorter time period. Also cows that have an easy time giving birth will settle to the bull
Bull
Bull usually refers to an uncastrated adult male bovine.Bull may also refer to:-Entertainment:* Bull , an original show on the TNT Network* "Bull" , an episode of television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation...
more quickly which would give the mother cow a longer productive life. Another characteristic of the Gascon is that their calves get stronger and gain more weight faster than other types of cows. Also Gascon cows don't need to eat as much as other types of cow because they don't usually have much food sources making them adapt to these conditions, but still be able to maintain condition and settle in calf
Calf
Calves are the young of domestic cattle. Calves are reared to become adult cattle, or are slaughtered for their meat, called veal.-Terminology:...
more quickly. Gascon cows have gray coat, but are born red getting their gray coat at about the 4th month of life. Bull
Bull
Bull usually refers to an uncastrated adult male bovine.Bull may also refer to:-Entertainment:* Bull , an original show on the TNT Network* "Bull" , an episode of television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation...
s are gray, but have black shading underneath. Mature cows weigh 550 to 700 kg and stand 135 cm at the shoulder; bulls average 145 cm in height and 800 to 950 kg in weight.
History
Gascon cattle were originally bred in the French PyreneesFrench Pyrenees
The French Pyrenees is a large mountain range on the French-Spanish border that is part of the following départements, from east to west: Pyrénées-Orientales, Aude, Ariège, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, and Pyrénées-Atlantiques ....
, where the harsh climate and limited resources led to the adaptations found in this breed. Because of these adaptations, Gacson cattle can survive and work hard in basically any condition. Because they spend their winters in the low lands and there summers
Summers
- People :* Andy Summers , English guitarist* Bill Summers * Champ Summers , American baseball player* David Summers * Ed Summers , American baseball player...
high on the Pyrenees, they are used to huge changes in the climate
Climate
Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological elemental measurements in a given region over long periods...
.