The Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle are a large breed of domestic beef cattle which are raised mainly for meat production. It is from France and was created by merging three blonde draught cattle breeds of the south-western part of the country in 1962.
Those three blonde draught breeds were the Garonnaise, the Blonde des Pyrénées and the Blonde de Quercy. The breed has been specifically breed for beef production since about 1970.
Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle breed is the third-most numerous breed of beef cattle in France with a population of 400000 head were recorded in 1880. The first two breeds are the Charolais and the Limousin cattle.
Along with raising in France, the breed has also been exported to many other countries throughout the world, including all countries of the European Union.
Total population of the animals were about 560000 in 2013 in more than 18000 farms. A herdbook for the breed was started in 1898.
The breed is much used for cross-breeding in Oceania and in Eastern Europe, and has shown particular promise when crossed with zebuine cattle breeds in South America.
An extensive progeny testing program has ensured continual improvement in the breed, which is reflected in its popularity. Read some more information about the breed below.
Blonde d’Aquitaine Cattle Characteristics
Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle are very heavy and large animals. They are usually wheat or cream colored, varying from a dark to very light fawn. The area round the muzzle and the surround of the eyes are paler.
They usually have white skin and the muzzle and the mucous areas are pale. Head of these animals is long from poll to muzzle, and the forehead and muzzle are broad and the face is triangular.
Both bulls and cows usually have small horns, and their horns are light in color and thick at the base, darkening at the tip. Although they can also be polled.
Average height of the Blonde d’Aquitaine bulls is around 165 cm at the withers, and about 155 cm for the cows.
The mature cows on average weight around 1050 kg. And average live body weight of the mature bulls is around 1400 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle are actually a beef cattle breed. And they are raised primarily for meat production.
Special Notes
The Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle are very hardy and they are extremely adaptable to local climates. They are excellent foragers and can forage well in local environments.
They have typically docile temperament and are very easy to handle. The cows are very fertile and known for their easy calving.
Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle are good for almost all climates and can adapt themselves very well in almost all climates. They are very heat tolerant and can do well in cold and hot area.
They grow relatively faster and the Hybrid Vigour and Blonde genetics combine to give exceptional growth under many conditions. The breed grow relatively faster and very good for meat production.
Efficient production of lean red meat is their main advantage. Their meat is marbled, tender and tasty but does not carry excess external fat.
The breed is also well known for their feed efficiency, and they convert feed to meat efficiently. Their muscle growth requires much less feed input than does bone or fat.
Currently the Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle breed is found throughout the world and is particularly popular in America, Australia, Canada and Europe.
However review full breed profile of the Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle in the chart below.
| Breed Name | Blonde d’Aquitaine | |
| Other Name | None | |
| Breed Purpose | Mainly meat | |
| Special Notes | Strong, very hardy, well adapted to native climates and almost all other climates, good for meat, excellent meat quality, grow relatively faster, excellent foragers | |
| Breed Size | Large | |
| Bulls | Around 1400 kg | |
| Cows | Around 1050 kg | |
| Climate Tolerance | All climates | |
| Coat Color | Mainly wheaten | |
| Horned | Yes or polled | |
| Milk Yield | Poor | |
| Rarity | Common | |
| Country/Place of Origin | France |
