Herens

Herens

The Herens ("Eringer" in German) is a breed of cattle named after the Val d'Hérens region of Switzerland. These small, horned alpine cattle are coloured black, brown or dark red, often with a lighter stripe along the spine [ [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/herens/index.htm Oklahoma State University breed decription] ] . The cows are used in organised cow fights.

Characteristics

Herens Cattle are one of the smallest cattle breeds in Europe. Their fur is dark red to brown or black, with pied animals being very uncommon. Newborn calves are red with a dark stripe along the back, with the colours reversing as they grow [ [http://www.racedherens.ch/en/herensen.html Breed standard] ] . A distinguishing feature is the short and broad head, with a concave front line. The animals are very muscular, with both sexes sporting strong horns.

Bulls typically reach a height of 125-134 cm, weighing 650-700 kg. Cows reach 118-128cm and 500-600 kg. The cattle are bred primarily for beef, but the cows produce around 3,200 kg of milk per year. They are well adapted to pasture in alpine altitudes.

Breeding history

Blood typing shows the Herens to be distinct from other Swiss breeds but similar to the Tuxer breed from the Zillertal in Austria [ [http://www.racedherens.ch/en/herensen.html Breed history from the Swiss federation of livestock farming] ] . In 1884 a breeding standard was introduced for this old breed. In 1917 a specialised breeding union was founded.

Herens cattle were often cross bred with other cattle breeds in the alpine region. For example Tux Cattle, Évolène Cattle, and Pustertal Pied Cattle may be partially related to the Herens. The population of Herens has decreased since the 1960s. In the year 2000 the population was about 13,500 animals. Pure-bred bulls are bred at an insemination station in Neuchâtel. There is a breed society in the United States.

Cow fighting

The Herens is well known for the high aggression of its females. In spring, cows and heifers are made to fight one against another in five weight classes in the local tradition of "cow fighting". The winners are sold for high prices. Today cow fights are a major tourist attraction in the Valais.

References

External links

* [http://www.racedherens.ch/ Schweizer Eringerviehzuchtverband]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Hérens —   [e rã, französisch], Name von geographischen Objekten:    1) Bezirk im Kanton Wallis, Schweiz, umfasst das Val d Hérens und dessen Seitental Val d Hérémence, 471 km2, 9 300 Einwohner, Hauptort ist Evolène, 1 350 m über dem Meeresspiegel (1 600… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Herens — (Héremence), 1) Bezirk im Schweizercanton Wallis, 8 Gemeinden mit 5860 Ew., Hauptort ist das Pfarrdorf Vex (Fäsch). Umfasst das 2) Thal H. (Eringer Thal); es liegt an der Rhone, dehnt sich von Sitten an 12 Stunden weit nach Süden u. wird von der… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Hérens — Hérens, Val d (spr. wall deráng), deutsch Eringer Tal, Alpental im schweiz. Kanton Wallis, von der Borgne durchflossen, 30 km lg., mündet bei Bramois in das Rhônetal; Hauptort Bex …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Herens — Vache d Hérens Vache d Hérens …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Herens — Ejemplar de raza herens …   Wikipedia Español

  • Hérens — District d Hérens Basisdaten Kanton: Wallis Hauptort: Evolène BFS Nr.: 2305 Fläche: 443.5 km² Einwohner: 10099 (2007) Bevölkerungsdichte: 22.77 Einw./km² …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Hérens — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Hérens peut renvoyer : au district d Hérens, subdivision territoriale du canton du Valais (Suisse); au val d Hérens, vallée alpine orientée Nord Sud… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Herens Basket — Hérens Basket Hérens Basket logo absent Club fondé en 1993 Couleurs Président actuel Olivier Fol …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Hérens Basket — logo absent Club fondé en 1993 Couleurs Président actuel Olivier Follonier …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Hérens, Val d' — (spr. wall berāng, deutsch Eringertal), ein linksseitiges Nebental der Walliser Rhone, ist von der Borgne durchflossen, die bei dem Ort Hérémence die Dixence, den Bach des Bal d Hérémence, aufnimmt. Beide Täler steigen zu den Wildnissen der um… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”