Russian Cattle, 1888
"Russia possesses more cattle than any other country in Europe, but is surpassed in this respect by both the United States and South America. Of many native breeds few if…
From: 1887 C.E. To: 1888 C.E.
Location: Russia
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"Russian Cattle," from Cattle and Dairy Farming, 1888.
Russia possesses more cattle than any other country in Europe, but is surpassed in this respect by both the United States and South America. Of many native breeds few if any are worthy of particular notice. The Cholmogory, originally a cross between Dutch cattle and a native breed of Archangel, is the best known race. It dates from Peter the Great's time, is used for improving other native breeds, and is kept up by constant import of Dutch bulls. The breed is mainly owned by peasants.
With regard to cattle Russia may be divided into three zones, the northern, southern, and southeastern. In the first cattle are kept chiefly for dairy purposes and manure. The breeds kept are native, often crossed with foreign breeds, are small in stature, and not particularly large milkers. The Russian races develop slowly and possess on average from 7 to 8 poods of coarse, unsavory meat. West Russian and Cholmogorian cattle weigh from 17 to 20 poods.
In the second zone cattle are kept as beasts of burden and for their meat. They are largely exported, and, though poor milkers, are esteemed for their meat and as workers.
In the southeastern zone oriental breeds are kept chiefly for their meat and tallow. They yield less meat than those of the southern zone and are poor milkers.
Cattle and Dairy Farming, vol. 2 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1888). (523-525)
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