Chianina History
The Chianina breed of cattle is believed to have originated in Italy in about 1500 BC, deriving from Bos Taurus breeds brought out of Asia and Africa.
This makes them possibly the oldest, purist breed of domesticated bovine in the world.
Having been a domesticated breed for such a length of time, they have been bred over the centuries towards heavy muscling, endurance, soundness and a calm disposition.
Description
Chianina are large, strong cattle. The genetic legacy of selective breeding since the Bronze age has expressed itself in a breed of cattle that is heavily muscled with long legs and hard hooves, giving them an ease and beauty of movement, along with endurance and a calm disposition.They are the tallest and heaviest of all breeds of domesticated cattle. Mature bulls reach between 1.7 to 2 metres in height and often exceed 1600kg. Whilst cows can reach 1.7 metres and commonly weigh between 800 to 900 kg. Calves weigh between 45 and 50 kg at birth. The breed varies only slightly in colour, normally porcelain white, sometimes to steel grey. Bulls are often darker grey around the head and shoulders. The skin of Chianina is pigmented black, as is the tongue, palate, nose, eye area and switch.They have short forward curving horns, black in younger animals, but becoming lighter as they mature.The most notable characteristic of the breed is the extensive and well-defined muscling from the shoulder and back to the well-formed rear.An interesting fact of the breed is that the calves are born a light fawn colour and gradually turn white over the first few months. The newborn calves are narrow shouldered and have fine small heads, thus making the birth process much easier than other breeds.
Australian Suitability
Their long legs and ease of movement give them a greater ability than most other breeds, to walk for longer and further for water and food.
Whilst their white coat and black skin help them tolerate the sun and heat better than darker darker haired and lighter skinned cattle, as well as being more resistant to disease and parasites.
Cross Breeding Potential
Chianina growth rate may exceed 2 kg per day.
Ideal slaughter weight is reached between 16 to 18 months of age.
Carcass yield is 65 %, of high quality beef, having the lowest cholesterol (53mg/100kg) and highest protein (20 % or greater) of any European breed of cattle.
Chianina beef is renowned for its lean, dark red and marbled cuts.
Chianina beef frequently sells at a 40 % premium to other continental breeds.
The full potential of the Chianina comes into its own with the breeds unique ability to contribute growth rate, muscling, high quality lean beef and environmental tolerance to progeny when crossed with other breeds.
Being such an old and pure breed the hybrid vigour is second to none.
Chianina Advantages;
- hybrid vigour
- heat and cold tolerance
- insect and disease resistant
- ease of calving
- well defined muscling and lean but marbled meat
- an overall tough, hardy and fast growing animal.
- hybrid vigour is particularly well pronounced with both Bos Indicus and British breeds.
