Девонская мясная порода коров, это одна из наиболее распространенных английских пород мясного направления
КРС. Встречается Девонская порода коров мясо-молочного направления.
Порода коров Девон, выведена методом улучшения местных пород коров в графстве Девоншир, путем разведения
их в
себе. В Америке, большое внимание уделили улучшению молочных качеств
породы коров Девон, при сохранении великолепных мясных характеристик.
Пои итогам проделанной работы, на территории США в настоящее время
существует Девонская порода смешанного Мясо-молочного направления. Со второй
половины девятнадцатого века Девонская порода коров, активно
импортировалась и в пределы России. Селекционеры – любители проводили работы по скрещиванию местных
особей с представителями девонской породы. К сожалению, никаких
результатов улучшения девонской породы в нашей Стране не сохранилось.
Коровы Девонской породы выделяются характерным буро-красным окрасом различных оттенков. У
Девонских быков окрас, как правило, темнее, более
насыщенный, чем у коров. Тело у коров породы Девон, довольно пропорциональное, округлое, с
хорошо развитой мускулатурой. Грудина выступающая, шея достаточно
короткая, рога небольшие, средней длины.
Девонская порода коров, относится к мясным позднеспелым. КРС Девонской
породы отличается высокой работоспособностью и
отменой выносливостью.
Живой вес взрослого быка Девонской породы достигает в среднем - 800 кг. У
коров показатель значительно ниже и составляет от - 500 до 600 кг. Убойный
выход - 65 – 68 %. Мясо мраморное, сочное, превосходного качества и
средней жирности.
Молочность коров Девонской породы - 1500 – 2000 кг при - 4 – 4,5 % жира.
К достоинствам Девонской породы коров, можно отнести высокую работоспособность,
выносливость, хороший убойный выход, отличное качество мяса.
К недостаткам коров породы Девон, относят ограниченное распространение породы,
позднеспелость, отставание по живой массе от таких популярных пород, как
Герефордская и
Шортгорнская.
Devon Cattle
The Devon, sometimes called North Devon, to
distinguish it from the South Devon breed, is one of the oldest beef
breeds in existence today. In fact some authorities consider the Devon's
origin to be prehistoric, the assumption being that the breed descended
directly from Bos lonqifrons, the smaller type of aboriginal cattle in
Britain. In fact, according to an offical reference material compiled by
the Devon Cattle Breeders Society, Somerset, England; Devon Cattle - The
Red Rubies, it appears that the Red Cattle of North Devon may have
contributed to the Hereford and other British breeds.
The Devon was previously classified as a dual-purpose breed. Over the
past half century, however, the breed has--through selection--evolved as
a beef-type breed which is registered and promoted by the Devon Cattle
Association, Inc. A Milking Devon strain (unique to America) has been
maintained and is represented by the American Milking Devon Cattle
Association.
The native home of the Devon is in southwestern England, primarily in
the counties of Devon, Somerset, Cornwall, and Dorset. For centuries,
herds of red cattle grazed the grass covered hills of this cool, moist
region. History records that the Romans took notice of the red cattle
when they occupied this area in 55 B.C. There is some evidence that the
seagoing Phoenicians may have brought some ancestral red stock from
northern Africa or the Middle East to Southwestern England during their
visitations for tin. Some animals breeders speculate that this might
account for the Devon's remarkable adaptation to hot climates in spite
of its centuries of exposure to the damp, chilly hills of England's
Atlantic coast.
The early improvers of the Devon breed were Francis Quartly and his
brothers William and Henry, and John Tanner Davy and his brother William.
It is generally agreed that Francis Quartly accomplished for the Devon
what the Collings did for the Shorthorn. Colonel John Tanner Davy
founded the Devon herdbook in 1850. In 1884, the Devon Cattle Breeders'
Society was organized and took over the herdbook.
Only 131 years after Columbus discovered North America, the first Devon
cattle reached what is now the United States. The year was 1623. The
ship Charity brought a consignment of red cattle (one bull and three
heifers) from Devonshire to Edward Winslow, the agent for Plymouth
Colony. These red cattle of Devonshire, brought in by the Pilgrims, were
probably the first purebred cattle to reach North America.
During its long history in the United States, numerous breeders have
been instrumental in bringing the Devon in America to a high degree of
excellence. From the earlier dual-purpose type, beef conformation has
been enhanced while retaining adequate milk production. Rate of maturity
has been accelerated. The more common criticisms of light hindquarters
and sickle hocks have been reduced to minimum. And, in keeping with
newer concepts in America of "ideal" beef form, Devons have been made
longer, taller, and trimmer but, fortunately, not to extremes as is true
for some "exotic" breeds.
Although the Devon was originally a horned breed, American stockmen
developed a polled strain of purebred Devons. It traces back to the bull
Missouri 9097, a hornless "sport" or mutation that was born in 1915 in
the purebred Devon herd owned by Case and Elling in Concordia, Missouri.
Devon cattle are red in color, varying in shade from a rich deep red to
a light red or chestnut color. A bright ruby red color is preferred and
accounts for their nickname, the "Red Rubies." The hair is of medium
thickness and is often long and curly during the winter; however, coats
are short and sleek in summer.