Telemark cattle
The Telemark beef is the oldest Norwegian breed of cattle. She was the first race that has been professionally grown and presented at public exhibitions. Was led by the Swedish State Breeding Agronomist Johan Lindeqvist. The time in the upper Telemark, a region in southern Norway, spread bark was characterized by robustness, high milk yield and good adaptability in the fjord, forest and mountain areas.
Breeding history
The first public exhibition of the Telemark cattle was 1856 in Kviteseid instead. 10 years later Seljord became an integral venue, which it has remained to this day. Over the years, other breeds of cattle and livestock were added. This animal show ( norw Dyrsku'n ) is still held every September and is one of the most popular of its kind in Norway.
The Telemarkkuh eventually became so popular that it became a national symbol to one species.
By breeding the Telemarkkuh also the voluntary system of " Husdyrkontrollen " (Eng. pet control), in about 90 % of the Norwegian dairy farmers are members today developed. It helps the farmers, inter alia, in the breeding work, the right feed composition, control of milk and beef quality, problems with fertility or health of the animals and the economic management of the farm.
Since 1926, autograph books were issued for both bulls and cows. From 1946, the insemination by artificial insemination was possible for the first time.
Gradually, however, larger breeds of cattle came to Norway, which gave more milk. The holdings of the Telemark cattle and other small breeds fell sharply. Nevertheless, there was still access to breeding sperm. Some farmers were given the old cattle breed still alive. The district agronomist Torvald Indrebø made sure that enough new breeding bulls were purchased and tested. Thus, the increased interest on the old cattle breed something and the decline of stocks was halted. Today the Norwegian farmers who keep old cow species obtained the highest government subsidy.
Racial characteristics
The Telemark beef is laterally red or brand colors. It has a solid white back, ie from tail to head. The breast is white, as well as the abdomen, the udder, the hind legs and the tail. The head is speckled with red mouth, ears and cheeks. About the eyes is a red line or spot. Where red and white meet, the edge is " trickled "; only on the abdomen, it can also be straight.
Each animal has a slightly different shape horns.
The Telemark cow is a typical dairy breed. It should not have to roughly built legs or too muscular. Your live weight below 500 kg. The body is narrow and elongated, with a long and slender neck.
In 2000, the milk yield was 4111 kg with 4.05 % fat and 3.23 % protein per animal per year.
There are about 700 registered animals of this breed, including approximately 180 in the " Husdyrkontroll ". In the last ten years the number of animals rose sharply, from about 150 cows in 1991 to around 700 in 2003. By comparison, the most common dairy cattle breed in Norway, the NRF cow, make about 300 000 birds around 98 % of the Norwegian milk production.
Source
- Norwegian Stud " Landslaget for Telemarkfe " (Eng. "national team for the Telemark cattle" )
- Breed of European cattle house