- Hinterwald Cattle
Hinterwald Cattle (in German: "Hinterwälder-Rind") are an old local breed of
cattle in theblack forest . There is a breed association inGermany and also for some years inSwitzerland .The cows are small, their height is only 115 to 125 cm, with a weight of 380 to 480 kg, making them the smallest breed of cattle still extant in
Central Europe . [ [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/hinterwald/index.htm Oklahoma State University breed profile] ] The head is mostly white, the remaining fur light yellow pied to dark red-brown pied. Having been bred to cope with extreme conditions, such as cold winters, sloping pastures and frugal diet, they are well adapted to thealpine climate . They are used in bothbeef andmilk production and are noted for their frugality, longevity and unproblematic calving.These qualities have led to a significant rise in the number of Hinterwald cows in the
Swiss Alps since the introduction of a breeding programme initiated by "Pro Specie Rara", anon-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of endangered domestic species. However, the breed is still in danger of extinction. The government ofBaden-Wurttemberg pays husbandry bonuses to conserve it.In Germany the breed was "Domestic Animal of the Year" in 1992.
Ballenberg ,Switzerland References
External links
* [http://www.prospecierara.ch/Generator.aspx?tabindex=3&tabid=358&ItemID=16&mid=690&palias=default| Pro Specie Rara (German, French, Italian)]
* [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/hinterwald/index.htm Oklahoma State University breed desciption]
* [http://www.macaulay.ac.uk/livestocksystems/nafplio/proceedings/luick/luick.htm Macaulay Institute study of Black Forest farming]
* [http://www.g-e-h.de/gef-rassen/ Gefährdete Nutztiere - Informationen der Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen e.V.]
* [http://www.iff-faes.ch/html/Hinterwaelder/Hinterwaelder.htm Informationen eines Landwirtes]
* [http://www.fotonatur.de/haustiere/hinterwaelderrind-xx.php Etliche Fotos von Tieren der Rasse Hinterwälder Rind]
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