Rubia Gallega
Spanish breed of cattle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Rubia Gallega is a Spanish breed of cattle native to the autonomous community of Galicia in north-western Spain. It is raised mainly for meat.[3]: 143 It is distributed throughout Galicia, with about 75% of the population concentrated in the province of Lugo.[4] The coat may be red-blond, wheaten, or cinnamon-coloured.[3]: 145
At Garita de Erbeira, near Cape Ortegal | |
 Cow at Cumbraos, Mesía, in the province of A Coruña | |
| Conservation status | |
|---|---|
| Other names | |
| Country of origin | Spain |
| Distribution | Galicia, principally the province of Lugo |
| Standard | MAGRAMA (in Spanish) |
| Use | meat |
| Traits | |
| Weight | |
| Height | |
| Skin colour | unpigmented |
| Coat | red-blond, wheaten or cinnamon-coloured[3]: 145 |
| Horn status | horned |
| |
History
A herdbook was established in 1933.[2] In the twentieth century there was some cross-breeding with stock of the Portuguese Barrosã, the Braunvieh and Simmental of Switzerland, and the British Shorthorn.[5]: 105
The total registered Rubia Gallega population at the end of 2015 was 39971, of which almost all were in Galicia.[6] The cattle are distributed throughout the autonomous community, with about 75% of the population concentrated in Lugo.[4] It is found particularly at altitudes above about 550 m in the mountainous areas of the northern part of the province, including the Serra da Carba, the Serra de Lourenzá, and the Serra de Xistral.[7]: 74
Use
The Rubia Gallega is primarily a beef cattle breed.[2] The milk is used in the production of Tetilla cheese,[8] which has had Denominación de Origen certification since 1993 and European DOP certification since 1996.[9] The Rubia Gallega is easily handled and is suitable for draught work; however, it is slow in comparison to oxen of other breeds.[5]: 109
