Red Steppe Cow — buy or sell

Breed history: The Red Steppe cow is one of the most widespread Russian breeds of dairy direction. The history of this breed is linked to the development of animal husbandry in the southern regions of Ukraine and Russia. Unique adaptive abilities and high productivity have made it a valuable asset for many agricultural enterprises. The formation of the Red Steppe breed was a long and complex process that began in the first half of the 19th century in southern Ukraine, in the area of the Milk River in the Zaporizhia region. An important aspect of this process was the long selection for milk yield and the red color of the local red cattle. Various breeds were used to improve the breed, including the Gray Ukrainian, Angler, and East Frisian cattle. This list also includes the Red East Frisian, Simmental, and Wilstermarck breeds, indicating crossbreeding that began as early as the 18th century. By the end of the 19th century, a type of cows with uniform characteristics had formed, which received the official name "Red Steppe." In the 20th century, this breed became widely distributed in the steppe regions of Western Siberia, the Volga region, the North Caucasus, the Stavropol and Krasnodar territories, the Rostov and Omsk regions, as well as in the Transcaucasus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Moldova. Exterior: Red Steppe cows have an average height and an elongated, slightly angular, and narrow body structure. Their skeleton is light, and their musculature is not very well developed. The skin is thin and elastic. The color of these cows is predominantly red, with various shades ranging from light red to dark cherry. White spots on the udder, chest, and head are permissible. Bulls often have a darker color in the front and upper parts of the body. The head of Red Steppe cows is small, light, and elongated in shape. The horns are light gray, and the nose mirror is dark. The neck is long and has many folds. The body is elongated, with a deep and not very wide chest. The back and loin are wide and long. The rump is often narrow and drooping. The legs are correctly set, short, and with a light skeleton. The circumference of the pastern is 17-19 cm. The udder of these cows is well developed, usually round or cup-shaped. However, irregularly shaped udders with unevenly developed quarters are also common. The height at the withers for cows ranges from 125 to 132 cm, while for bulls, it is from 130 to 135 cm. The live weight of cows can reach from 500 to 650 kg, and bulls from 800 to 900 kg.