Many breeds of cattle are bred in Russia. They are divided into three groups based on their productivity. The most common group in Russia is dairy cattle; beef and mixed (combined) cattle breeds are less popular.
Dairy breeds of cows
The dairy industry is well developed in our country. Whole milk is widely available in stores, used to make fermented milk products, and processed into various food products, such as cheese and butter. Dairy cows are capable of very high milk yields.
Black-and-white and red-and-white
Perhaps the most popular breed of cow. Who hasn't seen motley herds grazing in the meadows? The average adult cow weighs 550 kg, and a bull can weigh up to one ton. This breed's popularity is due to its excellent productivity. Milk yield ranges from 4,800 to 5,500 kcal. The milk's fat content is low—3.5–3.7%.
Holstein
This breed originates from Holland. Mature cows weigh 750 kg, a record among dairy breeds. Their height at the withers ranges from 135 to 145 cm. The current world record for milk yield is 30,805 kg. This was set in 2004 by the Holstein cow Juliana in the United States.
Kholmogorskaya
One of the best domestically bred breeds. Developed in the Primorsky and Kholmogory districts of the Arkhangelsk region. Mature cows are quite large, with an average weight of up to 600 kg. Compared to other breeds, their milk yield is not particularly impressive, reaching up to 5,000 kg, and their fat content is average—3.7–3.8%.
Red steppe
One of the most common breeds in Russia. The live weight of a cow is 450–500 kg, and that of a bull is 800–900 kg. Milk production is good, with an average annual milk yield reaching 3,500 kg. The milk has a low fat content of only 3.7%.
Jersey
The breed was developed in England in 1866. It is rarely found in the Russian Federation. Only a few farms in the Voronezh and Moscow regions breed it. The cows are small, standing just 130 cm at the withers and weighing 400 kg. The average annual milk yield is 5,300 kg, but fat content can reach 7–8%.
Ayshirskaya
Russia ranks second in terms of Ayrshire cattle population. Finland, the breed's native land, ranks first. The cows are red-feathered and large, weighing up to 700 kg. The main value of these cows is their consistency; they produce consistent milk yields regardless of external factors. The average milk yield in the country is 7,000–7,500 kg with a fat content of 3.7–4.0%.
Beef cattle
Beef cattle are characterized by their large size and rapid weight gain. The highest-quality meat and by-products come from eighteen-month-old bulls. Beef is in high demand because it is reasonably nutritious and reasonably priced.
Hereford
The oldest English cattle breed, developed in the mid-18th century. Bulls quickly acclimate to new terrain. These hardy animals are primarily kept on pasture and tolerate being driven well. Bulls gain weight well, with calves gaining 800–1,500 grams per day. An adult bull weighs up to 1,500 kg.
Aberdeen Angus
A Scottish beef breed. Calves are born polled, meaning they have no horns, which is an important economic factor. The animals are in excellent health. The average daily weight gain of calves is 700–800 grams. Adult bulls weigh 1,000–1,100 kg. The meat of this breed is highly prized in the culinary arts.
Astrakhan (Kalmyk)
A domestic breed common in the Astrakhan and Rostov regions. It is distinguished by its excellent adaptation to hot, dry summers and severe winter frosts. Bulls can weigh up to 900 kg, with a slaughter yield of up to 60%.
Kazakh
These animals were obtained by crossing Kalmyk cattle with Herefords. From the former, the breed inherited excellent adaptability to harsh weather conditions. From the Herefords, they inherited their fast growth and large mass. Adult animals weigh up to 1,000 kg, with a meat yield of up to 67% of their live weight.
Belgian Blue
The bodybuilders of the bovine world. Their striking appearance is due to a partial blockade of the myostatin protein, which controls excessive muscle growth. An adult bull can weigh up to 1,500 kg, and up to 69% of its body weight can be obtained from meat.
Charolais
These enormous animals originate from France. Their coat is a beautiful creamy white, with curly hair. The breed's main strength is its rapid growth. Calves gain 1.7–2.0 kg per day. Adults weigh 1000–1100 kg.
Combined breeds (meat and dairy type)
The most versatile animals. With proper care and feeding, these cows gain weight well and produce good milk yields. Due to their mixed productivity, these animals are a top choice for rural farming.
Simmental
A strong and harmoniously built breed, recognized as one of the oldest breeds in the world. The ancestors of modern Simmentals originated in Switzerland. The cows come in a variety of colors: red with a white head, fawn, red-and-white, and others. Calves of this breed gain weight well, and the cows produce up to 3,500 kg of milk per year.
Shvitskaya
A very beautiful breed. The coat color is light red or fawn. The breed originates from Switzerland. Cows produce 4,000 kg of milk per year, with an average fat content of 3.7%. Bulls are large, reaching a weight of one ton.
Kostroma
This breed was developed in the Kostroma region by crossing local cattle with Swiss and Algauz cattle. The offspring inherited the best qualities of their parents. Annual milk yields reach up to 5,000 kg with a fat content of 3.9%. Bulls weigh 800–900 kg. The cows are well adapted to the Russian climate.
Bestuzhevskaya
Bestuzhev cows have a striking, beautiful coat. Their coloring is dark red, sometimes with a brown or cherry tint. White markings can appear on the muzzle, udder, and tail tuft. These cows have excellent milk fat content—4%—but yield 3,000–3,500 kg/year. Bull calves weigh up to 800 kg, with a meat yield of 60%.
Red Tambov
This breed was developed in the Tambov region. The cows have good immunity against infectious diseases. They are short, standing 120–135 cm at the withers. They have a strong constitution. Their milk yield is moderate, up to 3,000 kg per year. Their milk fat content is 3.8%. They mature early and grow quickly. An adult bull can weigh over a ton, up to 1,100 kg.
A properly selected breed is a guarantee that, with good feeding and living conditions, the cow and bull will certainly please the owner and meet the owner's expectations.
