The Gascon cattle is a beef cattle breed raised primarily for meat production. The breed was originally bred in the French Pyrenees, where the harsh climate and limited resources led to the adaptations found in this breed.
There are two different breed types that with black mucous membranes and areola. They were combined into one herd book in 1955, but in 1999 they were again bred from two different breeds.
The breed is currently found in the Gascony region of southwestern France and is associated with Blonde d’Aquitaine and horizontal distribution Piedmontese. The breed is exported to many European countries and is mainly available in the UK, Holland, Czech Republic, Holland and Spain.
Gascon cattle semen is increasingly exported each year to South America, and exports to African countries are planned. Learn more about the breed below.
Characteristics of Gascon cattle
Gascon cattle are medium-sized animals and they have many characteristics that set them apart from any other breed of cattle.
The rigidity of their fur is one of the main characteristics that allows them to withstand the cold better than other cattle. And their fur is very thick, which allows them to drain water well.
Gascon cattle are mostly gray, but they are born red and turn gray around four months of age.
Bulls are usually gray, but have black shading below. Bulls and cows usually have horns.
The hooves of Gascon cattle are very strong, allowing them to travel long distances. Adult bulls reach the shoulders about 145 cm and adult cows about 135 cm.
The average live weight of mature bulls ranges from 800 to 950 kg. And the live weight of mature cows ranges from 550 to 700 kg. Photos and information from Wikipedia.
Advantages
Gascon cattle are above all a beef cattle breed. They are grown primarily for meat production. But the breed is also good for drafting purposes.
Special Notes
Gascon cattle are well adapted to harsh climates and limited resources. And they can survive and work hard in almost any environment, mainly because of these adaptations.
They usually spend their summers high in the Pyrenees and their winters in the lowlands. They can do well with huge weather changes.
The cows are distinguished by their calving ease and excellent maternal abilities. Calves grow relatively faster and stronger than calves of other cattle breeds.
Gascon cattle do not require much feed compared to other cattle breeds. They are very hardy, and their hardiness allows them to adapt everywhere and produce officially recognized meat of good quality.
The cows are also very good milkers and provide enough milk for their calves. The breed was also previously used as a draft animal. See the complete breed profile of Gascon cattle in the following table.
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| Breed name | Gascon | |
| another name | Gascon | |
| Purpose of the breed | Mainly meat, as well as draft | |
| Special Notes | Very hardy, active, well adapted to almost all climates, good milking, relatively fast growth, good quality meat, longevity, easy calving, docile temperament. | |
| Breed size | medium | |
| Bulls | 800 950 kg | |
| cows | 550,700 kg | |
| climatic tolerance | Virtually all climates | |
| coat color | Usually gray | |
| horned | Yes | |
| milk production | Good | |
| scarcity | general | |
| Country/place of origin | France |
