The Armorican cattle are a dual purpose breed of domestic cattle which are raised for both milk and meat production. It is an endangered breed from France and known as French:Armoricaine.
It was actually originated in Brittany in the 19th century by cross-breeding animals of the local Froment du Léon and the now-extinct Pie Rouge de Carhaix breeds with imported Shorthorn stock from the United Kingdom.
The name Armoricaine came into use in 1923, and a herdbook for the breed was started in 1919. In the 1960s, the breed was used with Meuse-Rhine-Issel and Rotbunt stock, in the creation of the Pie Rouge des Plaines dairy cattle breed.
Currently the breed is pretty rare, and in 2007 the Armorican cattle breed was listed by the FAO as “critically endangered”. Total population of the breed was estimated at about 240 head in 2005, and was 263 in 2014.
Currently the breed is mainly distributed in Brittany area of France. Read more information about the breed below.
Armorican Cattle Characteristics
The Armorican cattle are medium sized animals. They usually have a red coat with white markings. Both bulls and cows usually have horns, and their horns are relatively short in size.
Average body height of the cows is around 138 cm, and the bulls are pretty larger than the bulls.
Average live body weight of the mature Armorican cows is around 650 kg. And the bulls are pretty heavier than the cows. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
Armorican cattle are mainly a dual purpose animal. They are raised for both milk and meat production.
Special Notes
The Armorican cattle are well adapted to their native climates. They are valued for both milk and meat production. The cows are pretty good milk producers.
The cows on average can produce about 4500 kg of milk per lactation. And their lactation period is around 305 days. The breed is also very good for meat production. The calves grow relatively faster.
And the mature animals fatten quickly, so the breed is good for the fattening business.
However, review full breed profile of the Armorican cattle in the chart below.
| Breed Name | Armorican | |
| Other Name | Armoricaine | |
| Breed Purpose | Milk and meat | |
| Special Notes | Well adapted to native climates, very good for meat production, good for milk, grow relatively faster, good for fattening | |
| Breed Size | Medium | |
| Bulls | Up to 650 kg | |
| Cows | Around 650 kg | |
| Climate Tolerance | Native climates | |
| Coat Color | Mainly red with white markings | |
| Horned | Yes | |
| Milk Yield | Good | |
| Rarity | Rare | |
| Country/Place of Origin | France |
