History: Blonde d´Aquitaine (Ba) originates from the Aquitaine district in south west of France embracing the area of the Garonne valley and the Pyrenees. This breed is known in Europe since the 6th century (the breed reached America in 1972). The predecessors of Ba are such breeds as garonnaise, quercy, blond des Pyrennees who had herdbooks in the centre of the 19th century. The 1st Ba herdbook was established in 1961 and the breed was named Blonde d´Aquitaine. Ba is considered as the most perspective French breed for it´s long body and good muscularity. The breed spreads quickly worldwide. In 2002, the 1st Ba bull Ralf 93001 and 2 heifers were imported from Sweden.

General characteristics: Ba belongs to intensive beef breeds. They adopt easily in different climate. They can manage with only grass ratio. In case of intensive feeding, the daily gain can be up to 2 kg. Colour is usually white but it can vary to brown. Ba has small horns. Long and symmetric body is common (the body length of bulls might be more than 2 metres). A real beef breed who has big muscles on chest, neck and back side. The proportion of bone weight is small and therefore carcass weight is better.
The calving is easy due to slim calves with fine bone structure, small head and legs. Birth weight is big because of the long body. Wide and long ramp makes calving also easier. Suckler cows have a lot of milk and the calves gain quickly. Ba animals are calm. They are easy to handle and daily gain is very good.

The breed abbreviation is Ba in Estonia and the herdbook numbers are 93000 – 93999.

Two main extensive beef breeds in Estonia are Aubrac and Gallowey.

History: Aubraki (Au) Aubrac originates from Benedictine Monasrty in Aubrac city in South-France. The first pedigree animals were registered in 1894. The 1st Aubrac show was held in 1930 in Laguiole. In summer, animals were kept in the mountains where they were milked and Fourme cheese was made. in the 20th century, the breed spread to the south and east. The second World War damaged this breed severely. In 1979, Aubrac Society was formed in France.

General characteristics: Aubrac animals are fawn with variations to pale grey, males have dark circle around their neck. Au is of moderate frame, well muscled and their food intake in very good. The keywords for this breed are: longevity, late maternity and calmness. Usually animals are grazed from May to October in the mountains. The animals are adaptive to rough conditions. One of the most important criteria of selection is ramp. The maternal qualities of fertility, calving ease and milk quantity are highly prised. Milk yield of suckler cows produce 2250 kg milk per lactation, fat 4,2%.

The first Au animals were bought to Estonia in 2010 from Lithuania.
The breed abbreviation is Au and the herdbook numbers in Estonia are 89000 – 89999.

The Au population in Estonia is small and therefore there is no breeding programme but the herdbook is kept and the data of recording are collected. Crossing with Ba, Bb, Ch, Li, Pi and Si helps to improve meat quality of Au.

Estonians use 2 intensive beef breeds for crossing: Belgian Blues and Piemontese.

History: Belgian Blue (Bb) breed started when Shorthorn bulls were imported from England to Belgium to improve the native breed. First, Bb was a dairy breed. The development of that breed started in the region of river Escaut and Meus. In the beginning of the 20th century, it was a dual purpose breed. During 1920-1950, very active breeding selection was done and the real breakthrough came in the 1960’s with the development of the extreme double muscling characteristics and Belgian Blue breed was born. Since then, it has been exported to many countries but without any huge popularity.

General characteristics: The Belgian Blue is an average sized heavy animal with double muscling which transmits even with crossing (with dairy breeds too). Their colour can range from white, blue roan, black or a combination of them. Bone structure is quite fine, sloped back, strong feet and legs, small head. The overall appearance is robust and healthy. Purebred females have calving difficulties. The ramp is often narrow and this causes calving difficulties. Therefore caesarean surgeries are used to prevent stillborn calves. Muscularity starts to develop right after the birth. meat id lean and the carcass yield high.

First purebred Bb bulls were imported to Estonia in 2006 from Denmark and Belgium.

The breed abbreviation in Estonia Bb and the herdbook numbers 91000 – 91999.

As the population of Bb is small in Estonia, there is no breeding programme for the breed. The herdbooks are kept and the recording data are collected. All Bb crosses are realized for meat.

There 2 extensive breeds used in Estonia – Aubrac and Gallowey.

History: Galloway breed originates from south-east of Scotland Galloway region. It one of the oldest beef breeds. It was first mentioned in the 15th century when the Romans occupied English islands. The breed was dairy and beef, later used only for meat production. Animals are mainly black, less red. Crossing of animals exported from New-Zealand and Europe caused the white belt as the gene mutation. This was dominant and transmitted quickly to other countries with exchange and trade of animals. The belted animals were kept separately as non-standard but it did not help.

Galloway Cattle Society was established and in 1877 herdbook was started but only for black Ga cattle. The 1st herdbook for white belted Ga cattle started in UK in 1921 and the breed was called Belted Galloway Cattle.

General characteristics: The standard Ga cattle are small or average sized. Belted Ga animals are average sized and have better beef type. The wavy topcoat is long and soft, undercoat thick. The double dense hair coat makes Ga cattle resistant for cold and wet climate. Born calves are mahogany brown. The head is short and wide, ears average long, wide and hairy. The neck is average, shoulders highly extended, deep chest. Animals are polled. The suckler cows are fertile, long-living and have good milk yield.

As the population of Ga is small in Estonia, there is no breeding programme for the breed. The herdbooks are kept and the recording data are collected. To improve the beef quality Ba, Bb, Ch, Li, Pi and Si breeds can be used for crossing. The crosses are realized foe meat.

History: Hereford is old for centuries, one of the oldest of aborigine beef breeds of Great Britain. First they were grown in Western-England in Hereford county spreading all over the GB and later worldwide. Hereford Cattle Society was formed in 1878 under the custody of Queen Victoria. Herdbook was established in 1846. Originally, Herefords were huge sized, used for transportation and weighed over 1400 kg. In 1800, crossing and selective breeding started and it has resulted in modern Hf breed. The export of Hf cattle began in 1817, it spread all over USA, Canada and through Mexico to South-America. Nowadays it is the most spread breed in the world. There are more than 50 million purebred Herefords in over 50 countries. It is spread from Australia to Russian steppes, it can be found from Israel, Japan and all over Europe. In 1951, World Hereford Council was formed to coordinate Hf breeding.
The first Hf animals were brought to Estonia in 1978 from Belarus (30 young animals to Võru State Farm) and Mari (24 young animals to Sõrve State Farm). Hf breeding developed quickly in the 1980s but after Estonian reindependence it ceased. In 1994, new era in Hf breeding started. 5 heifers were imported from Finland. In 1999, first breeding bulls (Nero 97001 and Otto 97002) were bought. Hf is one of the 3 most popular beef breeds in Estonia.

General characteristics: Hereford on keskmise suurusega, tumepunase värvusega tõug. Pea, kaela alumine osa, kõhualune, sabaots ja reeglina ka jala alaosad valged. Hästi arenenud esiosa, lai pea ja jässakad jalad. Enamikel loomadel on lühemapoolsed jämedad sarved, mis on suunatud reeglina alla, kuid esineb ka nudisid hereforde.

Hf animals are average sized, coloured dark red. Face, crest, dewlap, top of the tail and underline are white. The front is well developed, head wide, stocky feet and legs. Most of Herefords have short thick horns pointing down but there are also polled individuals. They are friendly, obedient, well adaptive animals with good food intake. Calving is easy, stillborn rate low. Suckler cows can stay in herd up to 15 years. Flesh is rich in Omega-3 acids which preserves meat well and keeps the red colour. Grazing gives delicious marble meat. The disadvantage is quite bid quantity of fat which consumers do not like.
Hereford breeders in Estonia value that breed for it´s acclimatization to our conditions, durability, indulgence, good food intake, easy calving and calm and friendly character. Hf suckler cows are very maternal.

The breed abbreviation in Estonia is Hf and the herbooks numbers are 97000 – 97999.

History: Limousin breed originates from limousine and Marche regions in France where they were kept outside annually (severe climate, stony and hilly). This region was separated from Europe for political reasons. The animals were grown as draught animals and for meat. The 1st herdbook was established in 1886. Li started to spread after 1960. Now it is in more than 70 countries from Finland to China and America.

Li breeding in Estonia started in 1995 when Karitsu Farm brought the 1st heifers and bull (Lasse 98405) from Finland. Breed is very popular today and is in top 3 of the most popular beef breeds.

General characteristics: Limousin is considered intensive breed, average or large in size. Usually they have horns, but polled Li become more and more popular. Coat colour is golden-red and a lighter colour under the stomach, inside the thighs, around the eyes and muzzle, and around the anus and end of the tail. Bulls are darker. Long body, wide back and fine bone structure. Strong muscularity, head relatively small. Ramp sloped, long and wide. Calving is easy and stillborn rate low. Li females are very good suckler cows with sufficient milk production for rearing calves. Carcass yield is excellent and meat quality high. Lean flesh and good food intake is typical for that breed. Daily gain 1100-1300 g.

The breed abbreviation is Li in Estonia and the herdbook numbers are 98000 – 98999.

Estonians use 2 intensive beef breeds for crossing: Belgian Blues and Piemontese.

History: Piemontese originates from region Piedmont in North-West Italy, from the region of Apls. Old European Auroch (Bos Primigenius) was spread there. About 2500 years ago Zebu breed spread from Pakistan to Italy. Pi developed out from these two mentioned breeds. In 1886, the appearance of double-muscling in Piemontese cattle attracted the attention of breeders.

General characteristics: Piemontese is considered beef breed although in Italy it is used also as a dairy breed. Bulls are dark grey with dark marks on the head and neck. Cows are light grey. All animals are polled. Pi cattle are of average size with very good muscularity. Skin is thin and bone structure fine. The double-muscling is specific, it develops in couple of weeks after the birth and is transmitted to the progeny. Pi does not have calving difficulties like other double-muscled breeds because calves are small.
The 1st purebred Pi bull was imported to Estonia in 2007. The breed has developed from crossing dairy breeds with Pi.
The breed abbreviation in Estonia is Pi and the herdbook numbers are 99000 – 99999.

As the population of Bb is small in Estonia, there is no breeding programme for the breed. The herdbooks are kept and the recording data are collected. Ba, Bb, Ch, Li and Si breeds are used for crossing Pi to improve the flesh quality. Pi crosses are realized for meat.

History: The breed pronounced “Sa-Lair”, originates from the Southern half of the Massif Central in the Auvergne region of France. It is one of the oldest breeds in the world. Found cave paintings indicate that Sa animals have been kept already 7000-10000 years ago. Till 1960s Sa was not only beef breed, milk was used for cheese making. Nowadays, only 10% of Sa cows are milked, the rest are raised for meat. Sa is also used for crossing with Charolais to get veal.

General characteristics: Salers have horns and coloured mahogany red but the population of black and polled Sa shows increasing trend. In winter, the fur becomes thick and curly and it helps to survive in cold and hard climate. Legs are strong with dark hoofs. Born calves are typically with long slim body and small head. Calving is usually easy. Birth weight is 30-40 kg, depending on dam´s age, size and breed. Low birth weights give the calf a good start, which enhances their vigour and cuts calf mortality. Sa females are very caring sucklers and often take care of other calves in the group as well as their own. Well developed pelvic makes also calving easy. Weaned calves gain 1200-1400 g daily. The adult suckler cow weighs 650-700 kg and bull 1100-1150 kg. The slaughter yield is 60-62%. Sa cattle are very calm and intelligent.

History: Charolais is one of the oldest French breeds. Proof of the existence of white beef breed goes back to 878. It was originally bred in Charolles region in Central-France. When farmer Claude Mathieu moved together with his herd to Nievre province the breed became famous under Nivernais name. Ch was the 1st continental breed imported to Great Britain. In 1934, the breed reached America. The first herdbook was established in 1864. Today Ch is spread to more than 70 countries and has influenced beef breeding, specially in USA.
The first Ch cattle were brought to Estonia in the end of 1960s but without any success. That time there was no beef breeding experience and the Ch crosses were all slaughtered. The new era began in 2000 when bull Olle and in 2001 bull Ruben were imported from Sweden. In 2002, 13 pregnant heifers from Hungary and 10 pregnant heifers from Sweden were bought.

General characteristics: Ch is large framed breed, white or creamy (there are also black and red). Ch colour will remain dominate in crossing. Animals have short and wide head, legs are muscled, hoofs light. They have long muscled body with wide front. Originally Charolais had horns but more and more polled become popular. Breeding of polled Ch bloodlines is practised in USA, Canada and Sweden.
Charolais have demonstrated growth ability, efficient feedlot gains and in carcass cut-out values. Durable breeding work has resulted in easy calving. Calves´ birth weight is average or high. Big frame and carcass yield are suitable for crossing with smaller breeds (Hf, Ab, etc.). Fat content of meat is low. Ch is able to fit into any system – grass based or intensive. There are two styles of Ch: late mature (French style) and early mature (American, Canadian, Swedish style). Recommended first calving age is respectively 34-36 months and 24-27 months. It is important the suckler cow is well developed. Ch temperament is calm and they are easy to manage.

The abbreviation Charolais breed in Estonian is Ch and the herdbook numbers are 96000 – 96999.

History: Highland cattle breed (Hc) originates from the Highlands and west coastal islands of Scotland. Hc is the oldest breed registered in the herdbook. The breed originates from highlands with severe conditions and it has survived in stunted pastures. The breed is divided into 2 classes, the West Highlands or Kyloe, and the Highlander. The Kyloes, raised on the western islands of Scotland, tended to be of a smaller size and had a higher percentage of black and brindled cattle than the mainland Highlanders. The size difference was probably due more to the severe climate and limited rations that the island cattle were subjected to than to any genetic variation between the classes. Today all members of the breed are called Highland.
The 1st 30 Hc animals were bought to Estonia in 1999 from Sweden.

General characteristics: Hc is a very attractive beef breed. It is extensive and therefore animals are quite small and not suitable for intense fattening. The bulls are ready for slaughter at age 24-30 month. The coat is thick, hair long and curly, it gives protection from wind and snowstorms. Hc cattle can be kept outside all year round. It is cheap to manage them, they do not need much care. In warm conditions (warm barn, hot weather) Hc will overheat. The hair colour can be black, brindled, red, yellow, and dun. Long horns are typical for the breed. Hc grows slowly and therefore animals are remarkable for their longevity. The average age of the 1st calving is 3 years. Hc cattle have unique ability to convert poor grazing efficiently. Sickening risk is very low, compared to other breeds. Calving is easy. Animals are independent, very good and caring suckler cows. Hc breed is extremely friendly if treated well. The flesh is healthy, considered modern healthy food with low fat and cholesterol content, but rich in protein and iron.

The abbreviation Highland in Estonia is HC and the herdbook numbers are 94000 – 94999.

History: Simmental (Si) originates from Simme Valley in Switzerland and the name derives from there. The 1st data about Si go back to Middle Ages when big German breed was crossed with small Swiss breed. 100 years ago it started to spread to Central Europe and other countries from there. The 1st herdbook was established in 1806. Si is known as one of the most adaptive breed. It is grown on all continents and is the ranks 2nd for the number of animals in the world. Wide spread and long terms breeding have resulted in diversity of breed characteristics. In Europe, it is dairy and beef breed. The 1st Simmentals (bull Husar 92001 and 10 pregnant heifers) were imported from Sweden to Estonia to Karula National Park in 2003 in the initiative of Kalmer Visnapuu.

General characteristics: Si breed s has large frame. Colour is usually red and white but other combinations are common. Most animals have white heads. There are polled and horned animals. Si cattle have long straight backline and strong muscularity. Si is friendly and obedient breed. Suckler cows are fertile, they live up to 12 years and they have high milk yield. Born calves have strong bone structure and therefore it is important to observe females to avoid heavy calving. As dams have high milk yield, calves gain well. Si is suitable for crossing with most breeds, transmits high milk yield. Si fits better to intensive feeding but manages also with grazing.

The breed abbreviation is Si in Estonia and the herdbook numbers for bulls are 92000 – 92999.

History: Tyrolian Grey Cattle (Gr) originates from Tirol valley in Austria and has a long history. It is mentioned already in 1000 BC. The first written records are from 1879 by F. Kaltenegger. In 1896, the first breeding association for live animals was founded to collect data about Gr and to join the native breeds. The population decreased dramatically and in 1908, the grey cattle breeding association was formed to protect and promote Gr breed. Later more Gr associations were formed to organize the cattle shows and promotion. In 1933, the common aim of the breed was defined for all breeding associations. After that development of Gr started. There are 18000 Gr animals in Austria nowadays. The breed has spread to Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

General characteristics: Gr is a dual purpose breed. High milk (~5000 kg) and beef (slaughter yield 60%) yields are typical to the breed. The colour is grey, sometimes brownish, with black muzzle. Females are lighter than males. Hoofs are dark. Birth weight of females is 38 kg, males 40 kg. The daily gain ~1000 g. Females mature at age of 3 years, weighing 550-600 kg. Gr cattle have strong frame and hoofs. They have very good ability to convert grass. Animals are longeval and fertile.
The aim of breeding is to increase milk and beef yield and raise the quality, but also to keep typical functional traits: withers height, strong frame, strong feet and legs, resistance (to survive in mountain pastures), fertility, easy calving, good udder and milkability. Gr can be kept in poor conditions as they retain their resistance, milk yield and fertility. It is suitable for crossing with other beef breeds. Carcass 58%.

The abbreviation of the breed in Estonia is Gr. There is no herdbook for that breed in Estonia.

Unique characteristics in Australia: (http://en.zar.at/Cattle_breeding_in_Austria/Cattle_breeds/Tyrolian_Grey_Cattle.html ) (25.08.15.)