|
Lithuanian
Animal Genetic Resources |
Cattle:
Lithuanian
Red |

|

The
Lithuanian Red cattle breed is found in north-eastern part of
Lithuania and was developed from Lithuanian local cattle, by
crossbreeding with Angeln, Latvian Brown, Swedish Red and White,
Estonian Red cattle but the biggest influence on the productivity
traits had Danish Red cattle breed.
As
independent breed Lithuanian Red is known since 1951. Nowadays
the Lithuanian Red breed contents approximately 33% of whole
Lithuanian cattle population and the biggest part of animals is
improved.
The
animals have red colour, light, forward oriented horns and dark hoofs.
Adult males weight on average 900 kg and females 550 kg with an
average wither height of 135 cm and 129 cm respectively. The young
stock of the Lithuanian Red breed are noted for their rapid growth
rate, good food conversion and high carcass quality. The breed is
known for producing milk of good quality and most part of animals
belong clearly to the dairy productivity type.
The average milk yield of Lithuanian Red cows is 4489 kg; the milk fat
content 4,43% of fat and 3,39% of proteins.
The
Lithuanian Red Cattle Improvers Association according to National Red
Cattle Improvement Selection Program is responsible for breed
management and maintenance. The old Danish type of Lithuanian Red
cattle population should be conserved with purpose to keep its main
genetic charakteristics as they can be lost of intensive crossbreeding
nowadays.
The semen of males and DNA samples are stored, genetic
characterization of this breed using DNA and biochemical markers is
done, breed is also characterized by such parameters as body
measurments and body confirmation indexes.
|