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The Cachena is a breed of triple-purpose
cattle
Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, cloven-hooved, herbivores. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus ''Bos''. Adult females are referred to as cows and adult mal ...
from
Portugal
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...
and
Galicia,
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
. In Portugal, there is also the similar but larger cattle breed known by the name, Barrosão or
Barrosã
The Barrosã is a cattle breed from Portugal. The Barrosã breed has the protected geographical status of DOC (''Denominação de Origem Controlada'') from the European Commission
The European Commission (EC) is the executive of the European ...
. Cachena and Barrosã are sometimes considered variants of the same race.
Ancestry and description
Cachena cattle were bred from brown and yellow local cattle in Northern Portugal and Galicia (Spain).
They are light brown to yellow with dark brown nuances around the withers. The mucosas are unpigmented except of the dark muzzle. The wide and long horns are lyre-shaped.
Cachena cattle are one of the smallest cattle breeds of the world: The height must be equal or less than 110 cm (both in cows and bulls, with the last ones, being normally taller). Bulls weigh around 550 kg, cows 390 kg.
Distribution
Cachena cattle were originally bred in the
Vila Real District
The District of Vila Real ( pt, Distrito de Vila Real ) is a district of northern Portugal. With an area of , the district is located east of the port city of Porto and north of the Douro River. Vila Real has always belonged to the historical ...
, an agriculturally poor district in the extreme north of Portugal and later were exported to Galicia (Spain). Climate is hot and dry in summer, cold and humid in winter. The grounds are arduous and little fertile. The Cachena cattle are distributed around the low mountain range regions of the communities in the
Spanish natural park Baixa Limia-Serra do Xurés in the frontier region to Portugal. In addition they are spread in the region around the
Ourensic village
Olelas and in the Portuguese
Peneda-Gerês National Park
The Peneda-Gerês National Park ( pt, Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, ), also known simply as Gerês, is a national park located in northern Portugal. Created in May 1971, it is the oldest protected area and the only national park in Portugal. ...
.
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]
Use
Originally, Cachena cattle were a triple-purpose cattle breed, being used as a draft animal, for milk and for meat. Nowadays they are only used for beef production. The beef is known for its excellent quality. The Cachena cow produces a little amount of milk that is of markedly good taste because of the wild herbs of the range, quasi-perfumed. It is refined to the cheese named "Brandas da Cachena". The beef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from cattle (''Bos taurus'').
In prehistoric times, humankind hunted aurochs and later domesticated them. Since that time, numerous breeds of cattle have been bred specifically for the quality or quantity ...
is a Portuguese
Portuguese may refer to:
* anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal
** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods
** Portuguese language, a Romance language
*** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language
** Portu ...
Protected Designation of Origin
The protected designation of origin (PDO) is a type of geographical indication of the European Union and the United Kingdom aimed at preserving the designations of origin of food-related products. The designation was created in 1992 and its main ...
named "Carne Cachena da Peneda".[
Cachena is a very rustic breed, excellently adapted to its environment. The Cachena cattle keep well when allowed to free range. Their good sense of smell helps them to search for rare herbs in the bushland. The cows are very good mothers and treat their calves exemplarily. Their small height may be an adaption to the hostile environment: a small cow needs less energy and survives famines.
]
Protection
There were only 30 Cachena cattle extant in 1986. Five years later, there were 260 cattle. In Portugal, a plan for maintenance of domesticated animals in danger of extinction was made. By 2013, there were over 4700 cattle thriving in 165 herds. A Cachena cattle herdbook was founded in the year 2000.
Reference
{{Cattle breeds of Spain
Cattle breeds
Portuguese products with protected designation of origin
Agriculture in Spain
Cattle breeds originating in Portugal