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Gasconne

Cow and calf
Conservation status	FAO (2007): not at risk DAD-IS (2024): not at risk
Other names	Gascon
Country of origin	France
Distribution	principally Occitanie
Use	beef
Traits
Weight	Male: 1000–1150 kg Female: 650–750 kg
Height	Male: average 145 cm Female: average 135 cm
Coat	grey
Cattle Bos (primigenius) taurus

The Gasconne or Gascon is a French breed of beef cattle. It is named for the historic region of Gascony and is particularly associated with the Haute-Garonne, in the south-east of that region.

Two different types are distinguished, the Gasconne à muqueuses noires and the Gasconne aréolé, these were combined in 1955 into a single herd-book, but separated again in 1999.

History

The Gasconne is named for the historic region of Gascony in south-western France, and is thought to have originated in the area of Saint-Gaudens, in the département of Haute-Garonne in the south-east of that region. It was 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, Gascon cattle can survive and work hard in basically any condition. Because they spend their winters in the low lands and their summers high on the Pyrenees, they are used to huge changes in the climate.

The cattle are found mainly in the former regions of Languedoc-Rousillon and Midi-Pyrenées, now joined to form Occitanie. Some have been exported; small numbers are kept in Canada, in the Czech Republic and in the United Kingdom.

Characteristics

The Gascon have many characteristics that make them different from any other breed of cattle. For example, their hard coat enables the Gascon to tolerate cold weather better than other cows; it is also very thick and sheds water well. The ease of calving is another. Gascon cows have a much shorter labour than other breeds. Another characteristic of the Gascon is that their calves get stronger and gain more weight faster than other types of cows.

Gascon cows have lower feed consumption than other types of cows. This is due to adaptation as their food sources are often scarce. However, they are still able to keep in good condition and become pregnant easily. Gascon cows have a gray coat, but are born red - the coat changes colour at about the fourth month of life. Bulls are grey, with black shading underneath. Average height at the withers is about 145 cm for bulls and 135 cm for cows; body weights are the ranges 1000–1150 kg and 650–750 kg respectively.

References

1. Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Archived 23 June 2020.
2. Breed data sheet: Gasconne / France (Cattle) . Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed July 2024.
3. ^ Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
4. ^ "Gascon". Department of Animal Science. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents. 2 September 1997. Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
5. ^ "Gascon Cattle". Gascon Cattle Society website. 16 March 2009. Archived from the original on 12 November 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
6. "Gascon beef. (Livestock). " Farmers Weekly. (13 Feb 2004): 2. General OneFile. Gale.
7. Transboundary breed: Devon. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed July 2024.

• Cattle breeds
• Cattle breeds originating in France