You are at the cattle paddock of the Czech red cow breed. It is a breed bred from the short-horned Tur and originates from our territory. More than 2000 years of breeding have been done without significant breeding interventions, so we can witness the Czech red cow in its original form. The characteristics (genes) of the Czech red cow breed are very valuable, the breed is resistant to diseases and adverse environmental conditions due to the fact that it has not changed. In the future, these genes may be helpful to mankind in breeding other breeds. This is not the only reason why the Czech red cow breed is included in the national programme of genetic resources and its conservation has long been supported by the Czech Republic.
Characteristics of the breed
- max. 135 cm wither height and 580 kg live weight for cows and 150 cm and 1000 kg for bulls
- coat colour is red, even with yellow tinge, horns light yellow, sometimes ending with dark tips
- breeding for milk, meat, formerly also for work in the fields and traction
- cows can produce up to 4000 kg of milk per lactation
- tolerates year-round pasture rearing (including birthing), is vital, strong built, fertile, alert and intelligent
- characterised by an extraordinary length of active productive life of up to 20 years
During its long existence, the breed has not always had a bed of roses. During the 20th century it was repeatedly threatened with extinction. Thanks to a timely rescue mission by several institutions and individuals, including the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, the Czech red cow breed was saved when the last 30 individuals remained! Today, the purebred population of this breed is stabilized and continues to grow, with 400 animals grazing in the Czech Republic, bred by 32 breeders. The local herd here at the School Farm Lány of ČZU is one of the most important domestic populations.
Czech red cow paddocks are where we apply agroforestry. It is a balanced production method of farming on agricultural or forest land, which combines the cultivation of tree species with some form of agricultural production on one piece of land with an economic and or environmental purpose.
Agroforestry is trying to ensure:
- production of a wide variety of plant and animal foods,
- production of trees for timber, fodder, and fruit,
- improving the environment and ecosystem services, animal welfare and the microclimate for current and future generations,
- increase the aesthetic and landscape value of the countryside.
