Swedish Red Cattle

Swedish Red Cattle, also called Swedish Red-and-White Cattle, (in Swedish: Svensk rödbrokig boskap or Svensk röd och vit boskap) are a dairy cattle breed from Sweden.

The animals are mostly red with only a few being red pied.

The breed originates from crossing between original Swedish Red cattle, Ayrshire cattle, and Norwegian Red cattle. [ [http://www.tiho-hannover.de/einricht/zucht/eaap/descript/1223.htm EEAP Animal genetic database] ]

Adult cows reach a weight of about 550 kg, bulls 800 kg. The breed is mainly used for the milk production, but has some potential for beef production. [ [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/swedishredandwhite/index.htm Oklahoma State University breed profile] ]

In 2005 dairy performance was 8,599 kg milk per annum with 4.33% milk fat content, and 3.50% protein. Despite the high milk performance the number of Swedish Reds is decreasing in Sweden, replaced by more productive Holstein cattle. In 2005 there were still 152,000 animals in Sweden. There is however considerable interest in crossing the breed with Holsteins to improve fertility and longevity. An elite herd has been established by embryo transfer in Northern Ireland for this purpose. [ [http://www.inchgenetics.eu/app/action/index/swedish Inch Genetics in Northern Ireland] ]

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