Podolsky Cattle: Characteristics, Uses, and Complete Breed Information

Podolitz cattle are a triple-purpose breed of domestic cattle from southern Italy, bred for meat, draft, and dairy. The breed belongs to the Podolsk group of gray cattle and is grown mainly in the regions of Puglia, Molise, Campania, Calabria, Basilicata and Abruzzo.

But previously, the breed was spread across most of the Italian mainland and as far as Istria (now part of Croatia). In Istria, the Podolica cattle breed is now treated as a separate breed, under the name Istrian cattle.

In the past, the Poditsky cattle breed was mainly used as a draft animal. But with the mechanization of agriculture, the demand for draft oxen disappeared. And Poditsky cattle are now bred for meat and milk production.

The exact origin of the Podolitz cattle is unknown. But it has been suggested that it originated from the cattle of the Podolian steppes of Eastern Europe, like other European gray breeds of cattle (perhaps brought to Italy by the invasion of the Goths in the 5th century AD or by the Lombard King Agilulf in the 6th century).

The herd book for the breed was created in 1984. The total population of Podolitz cattle in 100,000 was estimated in 2008 at 25,000 head, of which about 100,000 head were listed in the stud book.

And the total number registered in the studbook after 27,509 was 2013. Today, the breed is considered endangered by indiscriminate breeding with bulls of specialized breeds of beef cattle. Learn more about the breed below.

Characteristics of Podolsk cattle

Podolsky cattle are medium-sized animals with black skin. Their coat is usually gray or black. Bulls and cows differ greatly in coloring. Bulls are darker and can be almost black, while cows are pale gray with a tendency to white.

Like most other breeds of gray cattle, calves are born wheaten in color. But they quickly turn gray after about three months. Bulls and cows usually have horns. Their horns are crescent-shaped in bulls and light and lyre-shaped in cows.

The average height of bulls is about 150 cm at the withers and that of cows is about 145 cm. Cows weigh on average about 650 kg. And the average weight of Poditsa bulls is about 800 kg. Photos and information from Wikipedia.

Advantages

Previously, Poditsky cattle were kept and used for draft work. But nowadays they are used for the production of milk and meat.

Special Notes

The Podolitz cattle is a very hardy and hardy breed of cattle. It is a hardy breed capable of surviving in difficult terrain as well as in poor pastures.

Animals may use food sources that would otherwise not be used, including stubble, bushes and scrub, and forest undergrowth. Previously, they were used for editorial purposes.

But after the Second World War, the demand for draft bulls disappeared mainly due to the progressive mechanization of agriculture.

And now the Poditsa cattle breed is mainly used for milk and meat production. The meat of these animals is considered to be of very high quality and has a registered quality mark.

Podolitsky cows are good milk producers. On average, they can produce around 1500 kg of milk per lactation, and sometimes more. See the full breed profile of Podolitz cattle in the table below.

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