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Place of Origin | France |
Origin | Gascon cattle were originally bred in the French Pyrenees, where the harsh climate and limited resources led to the adaptations found in this breed. Because of these adaptations, Gacson cattle can survive and work hard in basically any condition. Because they spend their winters in the low lands and there summers high on the Pyrenees, they are used to huge changes in the climate. |
Purpose | Meat and Draught (work) This breed has been developed into a beef breed that is widely used in its native region. |
Appearance | Gascon cows have gray coat, but are born red getting their gray coat at about the 4th month of life. Bulls are gray, but have black shading underneath. |
Horns | Medium upward curved horns. |
Cows Average Weight | 550 - 700 kg (1213 - 1543 lbs.) |
Bulls Average Weight | 800 - 950 kg (1764 - 2094 lbs.) |
Other Considerations | Nowadays, a herd must be viable and recoup its costs. A herd which ages well avoids excessive need for replacement stock. So the heifers are destined to be sold and generate added value. The Gascon responds to this requirement, as breed selection has always used families with great longevity. To make up for winter rations consisting of various types of hay which are not always very appetising or not very nutritious, the Gascon accepts and makes optimal use of different diets. In spite of difficult environmental conditions, 75% of the cows have a calving interval of less than 380 days, which allows for the production on average of one calf per year. The majority of the females calve at between 32 and 36 months, and they remain in phase with the period at summer pasture. Farmers in regions of arable farming manage the Gascon in a more intensive manner and have a system of calvings at between 24 and 30 months. 98% of the calvings require no assistance or just simple assistance, in both pure breed and in crossing. Official trials identified spectacular finishing results for Gascon store calves (less than 23 % feed cost, Livestock Institute 1988). |