The limousine cow is one of the breeds of meat-producing animals. She is unpretentious in care. She has developed immunity. However, some farmers are wary of the Limousin species. This animal sometimes shows aggression, and so that no one gets hurt, you have to be careful. You must not lose vigilance both when feeding calves and while walking them.
Origin story
The name of the breed comes from the administrative region of Limousin in France. Here the breed was first bred and has continued to be grown for several centuries. The first attempt to create this type of meat of exceptional quality began in the 18th century.
Breeders set themselves the task of creating a breed of cows with endurance, unpretentious maintenance, maximum weight gain with minimal feeding. Many types of cattle existing at that time were used for the work, but the results were demonstrated by animals of the Aquitaine breeds. They became the ancestors of limousine cows.
Thanks to many years of work, we have achieved great results. The fat content of the meat has decreased, and a unique marbled texture has appeared. In 1856, the limousine received a personal stud book. In the same year, representatives of the breed began to appear at exhibitions. Selection research on the limousine breed continued in the future. In 1925, a closed stud book was created. Over the decades, several lines and related groups of Limousin bulls and cows emerged.
Habitats
Limousin cows are considered a national treasure of France. Until now, the sale of beef brings huge income to the republic’s budget, being a serious item in meat exports.
In addition to France, Limousin cows have become widespread in the USA and Canada, Australia, and Portugal. In the territory of the former USSR, an attempt to breed cattle of this breed dates back to 1961. Then several animals were brought to the territory of the Priozersky breeding farm near Brest.
Appearance of the breed
Animals of the Limousin breed are distinguished by their weighty body and well-developed strong muscular system. They also differ in appearance:
- small in size neck, head and wide frontal bone;
- wool of a golden-brown hue;
- elastic skin;
- limbs of medium length;
- compact but formed udder;
- height up to 1.4 meters;
- chest, the width of which in girth is 2.5 meters.
Bulls have light-colored horns that stand out against their darker coat.
Characteristics of cow limousine
Animals of this breed are endowed with unpredictability of character. Sometimes they show aggression. Therefore, you should be vigilant when caring for cattle.
Positive and negative sides
Farmers note the following advantages when breeding cows of this species:
- calf growth;
- enhanced immunity, resistance to diseases;
- increased degree of reproduction;
- trouble-free calving;
- ease of caring for animals;
- The result is meat with a low fat content.
Among the disadvantages of communicating with animals is aggression. Also, with regard to reproductive function, difficulties may arise with artificial insemination. The Limousin cow needs extra stimulation.
Subtleties of maintenance and care
Limousin cows are a meat breed of cattle. They are bred to produce marbled meat. To ensure that the products are of high quality, attention is paid to the care of animals. Despite the fact that limousine cows are easy to care for, they need certain conditions. Improper care has a negative impact on animal health and will affect the taste characteristics of meat.
Summer walking area
Regular walks in the fresh air will help increase milk production. The presence of a summer walking area will be an excellent replacement for a pasture. Arranging a walking area is recommended if there are no pastures nearby; Suitable for farmers involved in seasonal cattle breeding.
The summer area is fenced on all sides. It is recommended to install canopies that will protect from rain and adverse weather conditions. Stalls should be installed along the entire perimeter of the site, and each animal should have a separate place.
When arranging a summer area, do not forget about drinking bowls so that animals can quench their thirst if necessary.
Arrangement of the barn
In accordance with the recommendations of experienced breeders, there should be a minimum of 7 square meters per cow. m area. This space is enough for the animal to feel comfortable.
There are two ways to arrange a suitable housing area for cows:
- Dividing the barn into separate stalls. This method is suitable for farmers who have a large barn area. Zoning will allow you to keep each animal in comfort.
- Free movement. All barriers are removed from the barn so that livestock can move freely inside the premises. At the same time, a separate stall is organized for each animal.
It is recommended to clean the barn daily, this will keep the animals clean. As necessary, the bedding is replaced, and straw or sawdust 30 cm thick is placed on the concrete floor. This is enough to create an acceptable flooring. If a separate summer area for walking is provided for cows, then an exit is made in the barn through which the animals will immediately get into fresh air.
The installation of feeders and drinkers depends on the way the barn is organized. If each cow has its own stall, drinkers and feeders should be placed separately or placed along the stalls. If there is no free space, hanging containers are preferable.
Conditions of detention
One of the key advantages of the limousine breed is its ease of care and lack of requirements for living conditions. Animals easily adapt to low and high temperatures. Despite this, there are a number of rules. It is imperative to follow them in order to get tasty and high-quality meat. The optimal temperature for keeping cows is 7 C. In winter, the barn is heated to this level. At low temperatures, the taste of meat can change for the worse.
One of the maintenance conditions is dryness in the room. In order for animals to feel as comfortable as possible, the barn must be clean and dry. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the humidity level in the room. Experts say that the most favorable conditions are a maximum of 50% humidity.
Limousines are considered strong animals, but they are susceptible to colds. To prevent their occurrence, it is necessary to limit the occurrence of drafts. The shed should be constantly checked for cracks and damage and promptly removed.
Cleaning
High-quality cleaning of the barn is necessary to get rid of harmful bacteria and fungal formations. This is a kind of disinfection of the premises, the implementation of which will create ideal living conditions. Cleaning should be done depending on the season. During the warm season, cows spend most of their time outside, so the level of pollution in the barn is minimal and daily cleaning is not required.
During the cold season, cows spend all their time in stalls, so care must be taken to maintain cleanliness. Cleaning is carried out at least once a day.
First of all, it is necessary to get rid of excrement in a timely manner. After this, the litter should be cleaned or replaced. It is recommended to pay special attention to feeders and drinkers. They should be washed at least 3-4 times a month. A potentially dangerous area for the development of harmful bacteria is water tanks. They need to be cleaned daily so that the water does not stagnate and mold appears in it.
Preparing for milking
Limousin cows were originally bred for meat production. Therefore, these animals have practically no milk. It is only enough to feed the young. True, this performance can be improved. To do this, a meat breed is crossed with a dairy breed.
Before experimenting with cattle breeding, it is worth seeking advice from a specialist so as not to harm the animals and the future generation.
How to breed the breed
Spring and summer are the best times for mating animals of this breed. After birth, calves feed on their mother's milk, and their diet can also be varied with fresh grass. It is important to follow a nutritional regime and adhere to a complete healthy diet. The ideal age for a Limousin cow to calve is 12 months. During this period, the animal becomes sexually mature and its reproductive function is most developed. If calving occurs in damp weather or cold weather, then the cow should be left for 8 days in a warm barn.
To understand when calving should occur, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the cow. At this time, the animal usually shows signs of anxiety.The cow will get up and lie down again. Childbirth can occur without the participation of a specialist, but help is never superfluous, since it is important to ensure that the calf is born with its forelimbs first. The calf's head will be placed on its legs. The umbilical cord falls off on its own. If this does not happen, then it is removed with a sterile instrument.
Diseases and their treatment
In premises where cows are constantly located, it is necessary to regularly carry out disinfection prophylaxis, as well as deratization measures. Farmers should not allow strangers or animals into the area.
If they want to add a new individual to the herd, then initially it is sent to quarantine. The animal is monitored for a month. It is imperative to monitor the possibility of the formation of mastitis, which appears after a cold or due to a bacterial background.
To prevent diseases, it is worth providing the Limousin cow with proper care. The diet will need to be supplemented with phosphorus-containing supplements. It is also important to refer a female for obstetric and gynecological medical examination.
