Red Tambov cow — መግዛት ወይም መሸጥ

Breed history: The Red Tambov cow is a breed of dual-purpose productivity, characterized by its distinctive red color. On the brink of extinction, this breed represents a valuable genetic resource that requires attention and efforts for preservation. The Red Tambov breed of cows was developed in the mid-19th century in the territories of Tambov and Voronezh provinces. Its creation was based on local cattle, which were crossed with breeds known for high productivity and good adaptive qualities. Among the breeds used were Tyrolean cattle, known as Oberintaler, Simmental, Swiss, and Kholmogory breeds. This diversity helped improve productivity indicators while maintaining resilience to local conditions. A significant contribution to the development of the breed was made by Professor M. I. Pridorogin. In 1911, he proposed further breeding of crossbred cows within the breed to preserve and enhance the best qualities of local cattle. This approach allowed for the avoidance of complete displacement of local cows by foreign breeds. Systematic breeding work with the Red Tambov breed of cows began in 1924. The result was the official registration of the breed in 1948. However, in the 20th century, especially closer to its end, the population of Red Tambov cows significantly declined. This decline put it at risk of extinction and necessitated additional measures for its preservation. Exterior: Red Tambov cows are distinguished by their large size and strong build. They have a light, short head and a short neck. The body is deep, wide, and slightly elongated, with a length ranging from 155 to 165 cm. The height at the withers for cows is 127-135 cm, while for bulls it can reach up to 132 cm. The chest has good depth – 67-72 cm, with a girth behind the shoulders of 183-189 cm. The pastern has a circumference of up to 19 cm. The skeleton is quite sturdy. The skin of the animals is dense but thin. The primary color is red with various shades. White spots on the chest, belly, legs, and udder are allowed, making the breed easily recognizable. The udder is usually of medium or large size, with widely spaced teats, making it convenient for machine milking. The udder index is 46%, and the milk yield rate is 1.2-1.4 kg per minute. Bulls are noticeably larger than cows. Their weight can reach 800-1250 kg, while cows weigh 500-570 kg.