Production of beef with endangered cattle breeds in nature protection

Background and Objective

The project shall give an answer about the potential of old endangered dairy cow breeds in wetland management in comparison of typical "Heck cattle" as extensive beef breeds.

Approach

Three different old endangered dairy cattle breeds have been introduced into two farms (organic, conventional) and used for wetland management in the biosphere reserve "Flusslandschaften Elbe". There, they have be monitored 3 years in ability to maintain the wetland, the animal health, the productivity (beef) and the impact on the farms.

Our Research Questions

• How are integrated old dairy breeds into the farms?
• How is the quality of biotope maintenance?
• How is the beef quality?
• How is the health and welfare of the animals?

Results

• the dairy farmers had to learn how to manage biotopes with old dairy breeds. The main hinderence was the mentality: what is good, what is not good under such keeping conditions.
• The farmers have continued the biotopemangement after the end of the project, because they have started to like the old breeds and gained good image in the public and media.
• There was no advantage of old dairy breeds in wetland management.
• The meat quality and productivity was comparable to "Heck cattle" and Galloways. That means: not very good compared to high performance beef breeds and better feeding conditions.