The Marchigiana cattle (pronounced as mar-key-jar-nah) are a domestic breed of cattle which are native to Italy. The breed was specifically originated in the Marche region.
It is a large breed of cattle kept for beef today, and it was bred for draft work as oxen prior to the 1950s. Marchigiana cattle breed was developed by crossing native Podolian cattle with the Chianina and Romagnola breeds in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Although the breed is not as tall as the Chianina, but today it still bears a close confirmational resemblance to the Chianina cattle.
Today the Marchigiana cattle make up about 45 percent of the beef herd in Italy, and have been exported internationally to the United States and some other countries.
Today the breed is a competitive breed of beef cattle which is widespread throughout the Abruzzo, Labium, Marches and Campania areas of Italy.
Approximately 50,000 head of these animals are registered with the Italian herdbook. The breed is also known as Del Cubante Avellino. Read some more information below.
Marchigiana Cattle Characteristics
Marchigiana cattle are large animals and they have many similarities to the Chianina cattle breed in appearance. It is a short haired animal and it’s color vary from light grey to almost white.
Their muzzle, tongue and external opening are black and their skin is pigmented. They are generally dark around the eyes and their tail switch is dark. They can be either horned or polled.
The horned animals have medium sized horns and the horns are black at the tip, white in the middle and have a yellowish cast at the base. The horns are usually curve forward in bulls and upward in cows.
Legs of the Marchigiana cattle are moderate in length and the animals are large and muscular with a fine bone structure.
Average body weight of the cows is between 590 and 680 kg. And average live body weight of the bulls vary from 907 to 1090 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
The Marchigiana cattle are raised primarily as a beef cattle breed. They were also used for draft work as oxen prior to the 1950s.
Special Notes
Marchigiana cattle are muscular with a fine bone structure. They grow relatively faster and have a very high feed conversion ratio. They have great disease resistance power and can adapt themselves easily to almost any climatic conditions.
The bulls are vigorous and the cows are pretty good milk producers. The cows reach maturity faster and are very fertile. The dispositions are said to be mild under the variety of conditions under which hey have been used. However, review full breed profile of the Marchigiana cattle in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Marchigiana | |
| Other Name | Del Cubante Avellino | |
| Breed Purpose | Mainly meat | |
| Special Notes | Strong, hardy, powerful, docile, well adapted to different climatic conditions | |
| Breed Size | Large | |
| Bulls | 907-1090 kg | |
| Cows | 590-680 kg | |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates | |
| Coat Color | Light grey to almost white | |
| Horned | Yes or polled | |
| Milk Yield | Average | |
| Rarity | Common | |
| Country/Place of Origin | Italy |
