Chianina Race

Chianina is one of the oldest breeds of cattle in the world and a most important one in Italy, and it is well-known and highly valued since ancient times. The breed originated probably during Umbrian and Etruscan domains in central Italy: the Etruscans and the Romans used white-haired animals in triumphal processions and for sacrifices to their Gods, big white cattle which might well be the ancestors of today's herds in the Val di Chiana valley. 

The Chianina have been raised in the middle Tiber Valley and in Val di Chiana for at least 2200 years, then raising was extended to the provinces of Siena, Arezzo, Livorno (Leghorn), Pisa and Perugia. 

In recent years interest in Chianina breed has been increasing, especially abroad (South America, Argentina, U.S.A., Canada, Australia etc.), where several breeders associations have been constituted dealing with importation of animals for reproduction and of frozen semen from the most valuable bulls, the creation of "stocks" more suitable for the different countries and the production of "cross-bred offsprings " with local breeds of cattle and "zebuine".

Chianina can be easily recognised by their porcelain-coloured skin and by their remarkable size; they have always been appreciated for their beauty, good disposition, attitude to work and quality of their meat. 

Until forty years ago Chianina cattle were used primarily as draft animals, then the advent of direct management of the land in place of the share-cropping system make them loose their importance but as selected breed for meat production. 

Beef is usually produced from bulls and cows between 12 and 24 months old. All cattle must be regularly registered after birth in the records of the Provincial Breeders' Association and must carry the identification mark requested by the rules in force of the genealogical book.

fattoria.abbadia@valdichiana.it

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