Farmers highly value Angler cows and bulls due to the quality of their products. The Angler breed demonstrates good meat performance. Milk is in demand among cheese producers due to the high protein content in milk and the presence of carra casein. The carriers of this gene, which ensures good quality cheeses, are producing bulls.
Story
Mentions of a breed of cows called Angelnaya can be found in documents dating back to the 16th century. Angeln is a German peninsula that served as the location for breeding work.As a result of selection, by improving the Brown-Red and Shorthorn breeds, the Angler cow was bred.
Only in the 19th century did the Angler breed gain recognition among Russian livestock breeders. Pedigree cattle were actively used to breed various “red” breeds: steppe, Polish, brown Latvian, Belarusian.
External data and characteristics of Angler cows
Representatives of the breed are distinguished by an exterior characteristic of dairy cows (narrow body, thin skin, underdeveloped bones). Features of the constitution of Angler breed cattle:
- massive elongated body (at the withers the animal grows to 1.3-1.45 m) with clearly defined ribs (thanks to thin skin), wide sternum, flat back;
- The head is medium in size, the horns grow forward. On a long neck, the skin gathers in folds in a peculiar way;
- the limbs are not long, with clearly defined joints;
- cup-shaped udder with elongated nipples, which is convenient for milking (both manual and machine).
A distinctive feature is a uniform red color (there are cows with white markings on the udder and the tip of the tail). Adult cows gain weight 520-550 kg (the weight of bulls is 2-2.5 times greater). After slaughter, the meat yield is 50-55%. Calves are born weighing 30-36 kg. The annual yield of a cow is 5000-7500 liters of milk with a fat content of up to 5%.
Advantages and disadvantages of the breed
The main advantage of Angler cows is their high milk yield, which has a delicate taste with light sweet notes. The breed also demonstrates other advantages:
- undemanding conditions of detention;
- omnivorous (it’s easy to create a varied diet);
- high food value of milk (4.58% fat, 3.6-5% protein);
- the meat is juicy and tender due to thin layers of fat;
- cows have a calm disposition and do not conflict with other pets;
- Individuals of the Angler breed have excellent health and resistance to viruses and diseases.
There are no clearly defined disadvantages in cattle. Farmers note the capricious nature of some individuals, but such features are not difficult to get used to.
What do you need to know about housing and feeding?
Angler cows are unpretentious in keeping and quite hardy. For full development, it is necessary to provide the cattle with cleanliness in the barn and regular walking. To prevent infection, animals are regularly vaccinated.
Cows are not picky about their diet, but to get nutritious milk they need good nutrition.
Feeding in warm and cold seasons has nuances. In summer, animals feed mainly on pastures with fresh grass, and receive complementary foods in the form of 500-600 g of bran, 550-650 g of meal. Hay and silage form the basis of the winter diet. An example of daily winter feeding per cow:
- vegetables (potatoes, beets) – 4.5-5 kg;
- bran and cake – 1.5-2 kg each;
- silage – 28-32 kg;
- hay – 5.5-8 kg.
The feed is distributed into several meals. Moreover, it is recommended to feed roughage in the morning, and the rest in the evening. It is advisable to carry out feeding at certain hours. The transition from summer to winter diet should be smooth. As an option, add hay to freshly cut grass, gradually increasing its portion. Animals must have access to fresh water at any time of the day, since a cow can drink 65-70 liters of water per day.
Breeding Features
Heifers of the Angler breed are actively growing and can bear offspring from the age of 18-24 months. Calving occurs once a year. One cow calves 15-18 times during her life (but after the 14th calving the animal is considered old).
Newborn calves stand on their feet without assistance and can independently feed on their mother's milk. A calf drinks 7-8 liters of milk per day. Complementary foods are gradually introduced into the animals' diet, starting at two months of age. One-year-old calves are transferred to the general herd.
Disease resistance
Farmers note the resistance of Angler breed cows to viruses and diseases. However, there are isolated cases among animals:
- leukemia;
- tuberculosis;
- brucellosis.
Infections are rare. Since diseases pose a danger to people, all livestock must be vaccinated. Already a week old calf receives the first vaccination. In order not to miss vaccination, it is recommended to create a vaccination calendar.
Cows are susceptible to togovirus infection (viral diarrhea). The disease is not well studied, and there is no reliable information about the routes of transmission of infection. The incubation period can last 1-1.5 years, mortality is 10% of the population. Animals aged 2-24 months get sick. The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical studies. Preventive measures - isolation of sick individuals, daily disinfection of premises.
Due to its excellent productive qualities and excellent health, Angler cattle are in demand among farmers. Resistance to infections makes the breed more attractive to livestock farmers. No special conditions are required for breeding and keeping livestock.
