Guernsey — iibso ama iibi

History of the breed: The Guernsey cow is a dairy breed known for its rich, aromatic milk with a characteristic golden-yellow hue. This breed is distinguished by its endurance, docile temperament, and ability to adapt to various climatic conditions. The Guernsey breed originated on the picturesque island of Guernsey, nestled in the waters of the English Channel. The history of this breed is shrouded in mystery, as the earliest mentions of it in documents date back only to the 19th century, and its exact origin remains a puzzle. There is a hypothesis that the ancestors of Guernsey cows were cattle brought to the island from France. They may have been tiger-striped representatives of the Norman breed or wheat-colored, resembling the Froman du Leon breed from Brittany. The influence of Dutch cattle, which may have arrived on the island in the 18th century, is also possible. In the Middle Ages, cattle played an important role in the life of the island, performing heavy work in the fields. In the 18th century, active exports began from the Channel Islands to England, including cattle previously brought from France. In an effort to preserve the purity of the breed, the importation of French cattle was banned in Guernsey in 1819. However, the import of British cattle continued until 1877. During World War II, cattle from the neighboring island of Alderney were evacuated to Guernsey, and some of these animals were crossed with Guernsey cows. In the early 20th century, the export of Guernsey cattle and semen became an important source of income for the island. A large number of cows were sent to the USA and Commonwealth countries. Today, the Guernsey breed is popular in the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. However, despite its fame, the Guernsey breed is currently considered rare. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has listed it as a watch breed, as fewer than 2,500 purebred calves are registered annually in the USA. The total population of the breed worldwide is estimated to be less than 10,000 head. Exterior: Guernsey cows are not large in size, but their appearance is full of grace and harmony. The average weight of cows is 450-500 kg, while bulls are slightly larger at 600-700 kg. The coat color of Guernsey cows can vary from delicate fawn to rich red, reminiscent of ripe wheat. There are also piebald individuals with red-and-white or fawn-and-white spots.