It ’s sometimes easy to reckon at domestic cattle and blank out that , as bovids , they portion out ancestral link to buffalo . Size away , a flying glance at a well - fed Black Angus lolling in the pasture or a herd of Chaorlais white - dotting a hillside do n’t right away call to mind the mighty hooves of a buffalo stampede .
But some oxen keep that family link front and shopping center . And the massiveRomagnolais one such stock .
With an wild ox - similar body-build that calls to mind the primitive draught animals they are , Romangnola cows boast heavy muscle system . Bulls , in fact , can top out at over a ton in weighting .
European Roots
Romagnola cattle originate from Italy . The breed is thought to have derived from eastern European Podolian Bos taurus , though this belief is more rumor than scientific asseveration .
What we do know , though , is that Romagnola ( initially a collection of sub - breeds ) have long been pop draught Bos taurus in Italy . The tool historically excelled in this role due to the breed ’s scant , knock-down legs and pronounced muscle system in the loin , rump , shoulders and lower thigh .
Powerful beasts , these primitive - looking creature were priceless to early early Europen USDA for till fields for planting . Meat was a secondary use until the mechanization of Agriculture Department , when Romagnola cattle became debate as squawk cattle .
What changed ? Well , in the mid-19th hundred , a stock breeder named Leopoldo Tosi , of San Mauro Pascoli , begin selectively breed the animals for beef characteristic . Such was his achiever that the Romagnola took first prize for good boeuf breed in the at the 1900 Paris International Agricultural Fair .
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Physical Characteristics
The primary strong-arm distinction of Romagnola cattle , which are among the largest of beef breeds , is heavy musculature . Massive foreparts coupled with inadequate , strong legs bely the strain ’s former glory as a fieldwork fireball .
The average height of bulls is about 5 feet , while cows top out around 4 1/2 feet .
Romagnola cattle hairsbreadth is white / ivory , with gray around the eyes , ear , neck and thighs . ( Bulls expose hoar around the shoulders , as well . ) The coating will inspissate and darken in cold atmospheric condition , and calves are cherry / straw - colored at nativity to about 3 months olds . The breed has a inglorious fell under its hair .
Romagnola cow carry lyre - shaped horns , with bulls exhibit half - moon form horns .
learn more : Get to know the Droughtmaster cattle breed , an beast that thrives in wry conditions .
Ancient Cattle, Modern Advantages
Today , Fannie Merritt Farmer and ranchers keep the Romagnola breedprimarily for its distinct beef characteristics . But they also benefit from the Romagnola ’s enatic capability and , notably , mood adaptability .
The Romagnola is the only cattle breed with sweat glands . This alone equipment characteristic allows them to flourish in hot climates . They also adjust well to the cold and to high-pitched height .
In the era of clime alteration , this wide adaptability could very well prove of import .
As an early - maturate breed with dependable general conformation , this kine breed ( as well as the RomAngus , bred with Angus ) offer a number of advantages for today ’s boeuf industry . You ’ll find the stock present in pastures throughout the globe .
