The Anatolian Black Cattle, It is also known as Yerli Kara popular breed of cattle in Turkey and are mainly used for milk and meat production.

What Is The History Of Anatolian Black Cattle Breed?

Anatolian Black is Turkey's most popular breed. It is hardy, disease resistant and tolerant of poor care, meager diet and adverse climate conditions. They are mainly used for milk and meat production. And it is also used as a draught animal on small farms. Currently the breed is raised primarily in central Turkey.

The Anatolian Black cattle are the smallest of the native cattle breeds of Turkey. And they are genetically closely related to the East Anatolian Red and South Anatolian Red cattle breeds of Turkey.

These three breeds are collectively referred to as "Anatolian Native” or “Native Black" cattle, and are distinguished on morphological and regional grounds, rather than genetically.

What Is The Characteristics Of Anatolian Black Cattle?

• Anatolian Blacks are a taurine, short-horned variety of cattle.
• Conformation between animals tends to vary, and individuals can exhibit a beef or dairy build.
• They are small-bodied, with a long trunk and slim bones.
• Short ribs give a medium chest depth.
• Females grow 100–110 cm at the shoulder, have a body length of 110–120 cm.
• The rear end of the body is wider and higher than the front - shoulders are narrow, long and slant, and the rump is sharp and slant. The back is straight.
• The legs are short and thick and the neck long with a large dewlap.
• The head narrows towards the nose, and possesses profound eyes.
• Bulls have big heads with a convex profile; cows have narrower heads with a small, long face.
• Males and females are both horned.
• The skin is thick and tough, the coat is brown-black to dark gray. The hair is slightly wavy on the neck, and hair on the inner surface of the ears is thick.
• Anatolian Blacks can survive harsh conditions, as well as poor care and diet.
• They are highly resistant to diseases and parasites. These characteristics make them a high priority for conservation.However, their adaptability and low maintenance characteristics have also come at a cost to productivity.
• The breeding age for heifers is 24–28 months.
• Cows possess a good maternal instinct, and the mother will not let her milk down unless she can see her calf.
• Cows can produce up to 1000–1800 kg of milk per lactation.
• Their lactation period can last from 240–260 days. 
  

What is the weight of Anatolian Black Cattle?

Mature Anatolian Black cows weighing approximately 200 to 300 kg and Anatolian Black bulls weigh 350 to 400 kg. Female birthweight is 17–19 kg; male birthweight is 18–20 kg.