What Is The History Of Baltata Romaneasca Cattle Breed?

The Baltata Romaneasca is a dual-purpose cattle breed which was developed in Romania. The Baltata Romaneasca, also known as Romanian Spotted Cattle, breed has been formed as the result of a long crossing between the Grey Romanian Cattle native breed cows with Simmental bulls imported from Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The most significant imports of Simmental bulls and heifers as well, were made especially in Romanian areas with German inhabitants, between 1860-1872, 1885-1890 and 1919.The first breeding associations were founded in 1910. Between 1962-1980, 1400 Simmental heifers and 60 Simmental bulls were imported.

The effect of this long absorption was the establishment of a population resembling the Simmental breed, but preserving some own traits in the same time. Called Romanian Spotted Cattle, it was established as a breed in 1959. It is phylogenetically related to the following breeds: Simmental, Fleckvieh, Montbéliarde, Czech and Slovakian Spotted Cattle, Hungarian Spotted Cattle, Sychev (Russia).

The Romanian Spotted Cattle has spread quickly due to its qualities so that it represented 37% from the Romanian cattle stock in 1955 and 44% in 1969. Nowadays the Romanian Spotted Cattle is the most numerous breed in Romania.

What Are The Characteristics Of Baltata Romaneasca Cattle Breed?

The color of the Romanian Baltata cows is white with reddish, the head and the knee to the hoof being always white. The appearance of pigmented areas on the head should not be considered defective, as there are features inherited from the mother breed. The head is big. The forehead is large, with big horizontal ears, medium horns, frequently lyre-shaped. The neck is medium.

The trunk of the Romanian Baltata cow is trapezoidal or rectangular. The upper part of the trunk is wide and straight upward to the back. They stand 133 to 150 cm tall at the shoulder. The limbs are strong, straight, with well-developed muscles. The skin is thick and dense.

Romanian Spotted cattle breed are easy to maintain, resistant to harsh life for short periods, even poor nutrition. The Romanian Spotted Cattle have quiet temperament, they are gentle and patient animals, endowed with good conditioned reflexes.

The Romanian Spotted breed is a multipurpose breed. At present the main productive type is milk-beef, approximately 20-25% from the stock belong to beef-milk type. All individuals exhibit remarkable qualities for meat production. The Romanian Spotted Cattle is a belated breed from the reproductive and milk production point of view, but precocious for meat production, suitable for any fattening system. Their meat has very good edible and technological qualities. It is juicy and tender-flavoured.

Medium lactation length: 320-350 days. Its annual milk production averages 4,500 liters. Of this, 4% is butterfat and 3.2% is protein. The milk is remarkably suited for high-quality cheese. The first calving occurs in 30-33 months, 20-30% later than other breeds. Calving interval: 400-440 days. The udder is medium. The most usual udder defects are asymmetry, long nipples and low milk production.

What is the weight of Baltata Romaneasca Cattle?

A mature cow typically weighs 600 kg, while the bull typically weighs 900 kg. The calves weigh 38-40 kilograms at birth.

References:

1. http://afs.okstate.edu
2. https://en.wikipedia.org