The Kostroma cows are a Russian strain developed from the first half of the 20th century for dairy and meat production. It was developed from the Kostroma Oblast of the Upper Volga area of Russia.
The strain has been made based largely on crossbreeding local enhanced cattle breeds using Alllgau, Brown Swiss and Ayrshire bulls.
The Kostroma cows have similarities in appearance to the White cattle. However, they have a body and head with a more narrow forehead compared to Brown Swiss. These creatures can easily be characterized by a solid constitution, hardiness and higher milk production on a ling life span. Loin and their back are wider and straighter. They are usually light gray in color with a yellow line.
Kostroma Cattle Advantages
The Kostroma cows are double purpose animals. But now they are utilized as dairy cows for milk production. They have beef features.
Kostroma cows are really hardy and long-lasting creatures. The cows are extremely excellent milk producers and a few cows may produce milk till twenty decades old.
Normal milk production of these cows differs from 3900 to 5000 liters with 3.3-3.6 percent protein plus also 3.7-3.9% fat content.
However, under intensive control, the cattle can produce approximately 6000 to 8000 kg of milk per lactation (occasionally up to 10000 kg). Like many other dairy cattle strains, the Kostroma cows are often docile in behavior and also have a comparatively calm nature.
The strain is also great for beef production. Typically, a yearling steer may reach approximately 450-500 kg using a dressing percent of 58 to 60 percent.
History
Two herds of cattle the ‘Miskov and Babaev’ from the Kostroma region were the cornerstones of the strain. Out of Southern Germany, the Babaev herd was spanned From the 19th century, also with Brown Korean form 1912.
Crossbreeding with Brown Swiss strain lasted on State farms out of 1920, and a few Ayrshire bulls were utilized. The normal milk production from the herd of this Karavaevo country farm attained 6310 kg in 1940.
Now the breed is utilized for meat production and for milk production. The Kostroma cows breed has been known from the Soviet Union People’s Commissariat of Agriculture on November 27, 1944.
Kostroma Cattle Breed Information
Breed Name | Kostroma |
Other Name | Russian: костромская порода крупного рогатого скота, kostromskaya poroda krupnogo rogatogo skota |
Breed Purpose | Mainly milk, also meat |
Special Notes | Docile, friendly, good milkers |
Breed Size | Medium to large |
Climate Tolerance | All climates |
Coat Color | Light grey with yellow top line |
Milk Yield | Excellent |
Rarity | Common |
Country/Place of Origin | Russia |