The Andalusian Black cattle are an endangered breed of cattle from Spain. It is also known by some other names such as Negra de las Campiñas, Negra Campiñesa and Spanish: Negra Andaluza.
It is a taurine cattle breed and originated in west Andalusia, Spain. It is mainly a breed of beef cattle and used mainly for meat production. The breed is similar to the Avileña-Black Iberian breed, but these two are distinguished geographically.
This breed is found in two main areas of west Andalusia (from Cordova to the foothills of the Sierra Morena), and in the provinces of Seville, Cádiz and Huelva. Today total number of the Andalusian Black cattle are very less.
There were about only 800 purebred animals in 2007. And their total numbers decreased mainly for crossbreeding with other local cattle breeds.
But the total population increased to 1,883 heads by 2011. Today the breed is classified as an endangered breed with only 1,415 animals registered with the stud book.
The first association for the breed was formed in Spain in 1996. Other reasons for declining their total numbers were the mechanization of agriculture, crossbreeding, lack of genetic programs, segmentation and isolation of subpopulations and unstructured breeding efforts. Read more information about the breed below.
Andalusian Black Cattle Characteristics
The Andalusian Black cattle are medium sized animals. As the name suggests, main coloration of these animals are black. Both bulls and cows usually have horns. And their horns are usually long and upward curving. Their head can be straight to convex in profile.
Average height of the Andalusian Black cows is around 135 cm at the withers, and around 140 cm for the bulls. The mature bulls on average weight between 875 and 950 kg. And average live body weight of the mature cows vary from 600 to 650 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
The Andalusian Black cattle are a beef cattle breed. They are raised mainly for meat production.
Special Notes
Andalusian Black cattle are very strong and hardy animals. They are able to adapt to adverse weather conditions. They are usually of good behavior and have relatively calm and docile temperament.
They are pretty fast growing animals, and the heifers reach maturity within their 18 to 20 months. The cows are excellent mothers and produce enough milk for their calves.
The Andalusian Black cattle were traditionally used as a draught animal. But currently they are used primarily for beef production mainly due to the mechanization of agriculture.
They are also crossed with other cattle breeds for producing beef. The breed is often kept on unimproved farms with rudimentary infrastructure.
However, review full breed profile of the Andalusian Black cattle in the chart below.
| Breed Name | Andalusian Black | |
| Other Name | Negra de las Campiñas, Negra Campiñesa and Spanish: Negra Andaluza | |
| Breed Purpose | Mainly meat | |
| Special Notes | Well adapted to native climates, very good for meat production, grow pretty faster, cows are excellent mothers, very hardy, strong, able to adapt to adverse weather conditions, good for draught purpose | |
| Breed Size | Medium | |
| Bulls | 875-950 kg | |
| Cows | 600-650 kg | |
| Climate Tolerance | Native climates | |
| Coat Color | Black | |
| Horned | Yes | |
| Milk Yield | Low | |
| Rarity | Endangered | |
| Country/Place of Origin | Spain |
