Content
There are two main types of cow breeds, differing in productivity - beef and dairy. However, in farms, the highly productive combined or mixed type is considered the most valuable. These are dairy and beef cows. A representative of such a special breed of cattle can be called the Kostroma cow.
They bred it on the Karavaevo farm, trying to obtain a breed with the specified characteristics. It was planned to obtain hardy cows with a mixed type of productivity. Work to improve the original selected genera continued from 1911 to 1940 only in the Kostroma region. And only then dairy and meat cows of the Kostroma breed began to appear in other regions.
The Kostroma breed of cows is a unique breed of cattle that has excellent performance in both dairy and meat production. Animals have different colors from dark brown to the lightest shade. There are individuals with fawn and grayish colors. The main characteristic for which the Kostroma cow is valued is its productivity. This is a rare quality when cows produce equally high levels of milk and meat. Burenki also stand out for their noticeable strength, which is clearly visible in the photo:
Description and advantages
A description of its main distinctive advantages will help you get to know the famous breed better. If we describe the appearance in a few words, we should note the rather long body length, wide back and small forehead of the animals. The chest is well developed, legs are of medium length. In adult females, the udder is cup-shaped, wide and voluminous. The weight of adult bulls reaches 1 ton and above, and females gain up to 800 kg. Despite their large size and weight, individuals are very resistant to diseases and climate changes. Another important advantage is its unpretentiousness in nutrition and care.
In households, the size and weight of the famous breed of cattle are slightly lower. Burenki weigh about 550 kg, and the weight of bull calves reaches 850 kg. Adult cattle and offspring are distinguished by enviable endurance. Young calves grow quickly and gain weight well.
The main advantages of Kostroma cows are:
- Productivity - dairy and meat. The meat yield from live weight is 65%, and milk indicators range from 4000-5000 kg per year per cow. The fat content of milk is about 4%. On farms, record holders annually produce up to 9,000 kg of high-quality milk.
- Leather quality. In addition to meat and milk, Kostroma cattle are valued for the density and strength of their leather, which is used in tanning.
- Lifespan. The longevity of Kostroma cows is considered an important indicator. They are able to maintain milk yield up to 20 years of age and remain hardy and healthy throughout this period.
- Unpretentiousness. Kostroma cows easily tolerate a change in diet and respond well to grazing.They gain weight much better when fed roughage than when fed concentrated food.
- Adaptation to weather changes. Kostroma is located in central Russia, and cows of the Kostroma breed tolerate sharp climate fluctuations well.
- Survival percentage The calves are tall and calving is easy.
- Precocity of the breed. 15 months after birth, individuals of the Kostroma breed are ready to reproduce. The only condition is adequate nutrition.
Important care points
The process of breeding Kostroma cows took place during difficult years. Therefore, in addition to productivity indicators, the endurance and unpretentiousness of livestock to living conditions were important characteristics for breeders. But there are still special care features for the record-breaking breed.
In winter, cows of the Kostroma hardy breed need an indoor barn with clean, warm bedding and no draft.
In summer, livestock need to be provided with well-organized grazing.
For the calf, minimum living conditions are organized in an unheated room. This is done to form natural immunity and increase the resistance of individuals to adverse external environmental factors. Calves are provided with competent care and constant monitoring. Particular attention is paid to creating a diet so that the formation of a young body in the first months of life occurs harmoniously. Antibiotics are added to calves' feed to suppress pathogenic microflora and normalize intestinal function.If the quality of mother's milk does not meet all the necessary requirements, then the quality of food is compensated with a special nutrient solution. Although this is very rare, because the quality of milk from Kostroma cows is always excellent.
The diet of adult animals is formed from different feeds - juicy, rough and concentrated. The majority should be the first two types. Otherwise, cow milk yield decreases. For dairy cows, individual feeding is selected, taking into account the characteristics and needs of each cow.
