The Danish Red cattle is of the Baltic Red type and originates from the islands off the coast of Denmark. The breed was developed from North Schleswig Red, with Angeln, Ballum and crossbred with the local island cattle.
In the early 60s this breed accounted for 61% of Danish livestock, in the early 80s, this number dropped to just over 20%. This was largely due to the introduction of higher-producing Dutch, Friesian cattle.
The breed is also known as ‘Red Danish dairy breed’. The number of pedigree cows in Denmark amounts to 42,599 pieces.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
· Breed for milk and meat production;
· High fertility;
· Easy calving;
· Early development and continued economic use;
· Good durability;
· High milk production with high fat and protein content;
· Good udder health;
· Strong claws;
· High resistance to diseases, particularly mastitis;
· High heat resistance and total adaptability to different climate zones (hot and cold regions).
SPECIFICATIONS
Average indicators of the breed (2010-2011):
Milk production: 8889 kg per year, with 4.3% fat and 3.5%. protein
Maximum efficiency: 17,646 kg milk per year. The average milk yield of highly productive companies may be 11,390 kg.
Calves are born with a weight of 36 to 40 kg. At the age of 12 months, bulls weight of 420 kg to 600 kg at 16 months. Mature cows weigh between 550 and 800 kg, bulls are approximately 1,000 kg.
The Danish Red cattle has an average daily weight gain from 1200 to 1400 grams. The average power output is 3.2 Scandinavian feed units. The slaughter yield is 56%.