The farm's guide » draft animal

Malaysian

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:47:28 +0000

The Malaysian buffalo is a swamp type buffalo found in western Malaysia. Used primarily as a draft animal, they are usually dark grey and occasionally white. They have crescent horns. They originated from and are similar to Bubalus arnee.

Reference:

Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.

Photographs:

R. E. McDowell, Professor Emeritus of International Animal Science, Cornell University, and provided by Paul O. Brackelsberg, Professor of Animal Science, Iowa State University

We are currently searching for additional photographs and information on this breed.

Yanqi

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:38:03 +0000

The Yanqi is found in north Xinjiang in China. This is a pony breed used for riding and as a draft animal. It was developed from the Mongolian with Don and Orlov Trotter breeding.

Reference:

Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.

Photographs:

We are currently searching for photographs or slides of this breed.

Hequ

admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 06:40:01 +0000

Also Known By: Nanfan, Khetsyui (Russian)

The Hequ is found in the Qinghai Province of China and is used as a pack and draft animal as well as for riding and racing. Hequ means “river zig”. The breed originated in the border area of Qinghai, Sichuan and Gansu provinces where the Yellow River makes a large “zig”. Prior to 1954 the breed was known as Nanfan which is often misapplied to the Tibetan horse. During the T’ang dynasty the Hequ horse was a favored spoil of war in the region.

During the T’ang dynasty (618-917) the emperor established a large horse facility to develop the calvary. To do so he imported large numbers of horses from western Asian countries to use on the local Tibetan stock. Chief among the breeds influencing the Hequ were animals imported from Dawan. Dawan was the ancient Chinese name for the kingdom that included Fergana, home of the Akhal-Teke breed. During the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), Mongols of the Xianbei tribe invaded the area resulting in Mongolian stock being mixed with the Hequ.

The Hequ breed’s native area is at 11,000 feet in altitude where temperatures are low but the climate is temperate and moist during the summer. Mares mature at two years of age and are usually bred at three. Conception rate is generally around 70% but improved nutrition and care can result in rates as high as 80-90%. Mares sometimes produce twelve to thirteen foals during their lifetime.

The breed is classified as a draft-riding animal, solid but coarsely built. The Hequ may be black, brown or grey.

There are three varieties of Hequ horses. The Jiaode type is found mainly in the southern parts of Gansu province. These horses are rougher in constitution and have a larger, courser head. The hooves of the Jiaode are also not as strong. The Jiaode is found mainly to be grey and stands about 13.3 hands. The Suoke type is located in western Sichuan province. This variety has a relatively large head and ears and a short loin. The Suoke carries its tail very high as did the ancient T’ang horse. The Kesheng is found in Kesheng Mongolian Autonomous Region in the province of Qinghai. The breeding of the Kesheng is mixed with Mongolian horses.

Reference:
Hendricks, Bonnie L., International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds, Univ of Oklahoma Press, 1995

Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.

Photographs:
Cheng, P. (1984) Livestock breeds of China. Animal Production and Health Paper 46 (E, F, S). Publ. by FAO, Rome, 217 pp.

We would like to include images of this breed in our information. If you have photographs, slides or video of this breed which we could borrow or if you know of a potential source please contact us using the comment form below.

Alentejana

admin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:37:44 +0000

Also Known As: Transtagana

This breed is found in the region of Alentejo, Portugal. Used for meat production and as a draft animal, it is similar to the Retinta breed found in Spain. The Alentejana is golden red with long horns. The Mertolenga and the Southern Crioulo from Brazil orginated from this breed.

Reference:

Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.

Photographs:

We are currently searching for photographs or slides of this breed. Submission information.

Africander

admin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:28:08 +0000

Also Known As:
Afrikaner (Afrik.)

The Africander is a native South African breed. It belongs to the Sanga type and is used primarily for meat production. The breed is usually red with long lateral horns. Sanga type cattle, in huge herds, were owned by the Hottentots when the Dutch established the Cape Colony in 1652. The animals were obtained by the colonists who improved them for use as draft animals. It was Africander oxen that drew the wagons which carried Boer farmers and families on the Great Trek of 1835 – 36 from the Cape of Good Hope to the Orange Free State, Natal and the Transvaal to escape British rule. the word trek is originally Afrikaans, meaning draft.

The Africander is South Africa’s most popular native breed, comprising 30% of the cattle population. Africander cattle exhibit good resistance to heat, a high level of tick resistance, quiet temperament and a satisfactorily high level of fertility under harsh conditions. Mature cows weigh approximately 525 to 600 kg (1150 – 1350 pounds) and bulls weigh 750 to 1000 kg (1650 – 2200 pounds).

The Africander was used with Shorthorn in developing the Bonsmara breed and with Holstein in creating the Drakensberger.

Africander in Australia

The small numbers of Africander cattle in Australia have developed from a relatively small base importation from America. As it belongs to the Bos indicus group, the Africander is mainly found in the hot-tropical-humid and sub-tropical-dry areas of Australia.

The Africander tends to late maturity and yields a carcass with comparatively low fat cover. Through the use of bulls and frozen semen, the Africander has been used in up-grading indigenous cattle in tropical countries as it passes on fertility, docility and excellent weight gains to progeny.

Reference:

Genus Bos: Cattle Breeds of the World, 1985, MSO-AGVET (Merck & Co., Inc.), Rahway, N.J.

Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.

Handbook of Australian Livestock, Australian Meat & Livestock Corporation,1989, 3rd Edition

Photographs:

The Afrikaner Cattle Breeders Societ of South Africa, Bus/Box 979 Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa

Handbook of Australian Livestock, Australian Meat & Livestock Corporation,1989, 3rd Edition