They announced that their Maremmana and Sayaguesa cows, which have been covered by the Watussi bull Thando last year, are expected to calf within the next weeks. This means that we can look forward to seeing several Maremmana x Watussi plus Sayaguesa x Watussi calves being born. I am especially looking forward to the latter combination, because of the potential for the F2 generation (strict sense) - imagine a Sayaguesa with mighty horns and the colour dimorphism that their strain has, already a good step towards aurochs-like looks.
For this year, the Auerrind project is planning to set up the following combinations: the Hungarian Grey cows together with the Sayaguesa bull Takkie (the one without the saddle), the three Chianina cows plus the Sayaguesa bull Leo, and Bruno the Chianina bull together with the two older Watussi cows.
While I think that Maremmana x Sayaguesa and Hungarian Gray x Sayaguesa might resemble many Taurus and Tauros individuals quite well, I am particularly excited on seeing Sayaguesa x Chianina and Watussi x Chianina animals. The first combination has a big potential for the F2 and following generations, while the latter combination is completely open what it is going to look like. But in any case, the combination has a good potential as well, especially because the body shape and size of the Chianina in the Auerrind project is superb.
They also published a new photo of the Sayaguesa x Hungarian Grey heifer. The winter coat starts to shed on face and neck and seems to reveal that at least the anterior part of the body is going to have a slightly diluted colour. The next weeks will probably reveal how far this dilution is going to go; even if it ends up totally grey (which I do not believe) it is not relevant, as it is "just" an F1. It will be interesting to see in what angle the horns are going to grow, but we have to wait for about two or three years to be sure.
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Copyright as given in the picture. I still suspect it is another Maremmana x Pajuna cross. I really like the well-developed hump, it has a good body shape and looks like a good start. I keep guessing which breed might be ideal to cross it in the following generation; adding Maronesa would probably bring in genes for the right horn shape and would not add any deviant colours, but the results would decrease in size.
Yet another project, I also found another photo of a Taurus bull from Hortobagy, Hungary that has been presented on the Carnivora Forum already.
I have no idea concerning its breed background. I wonder if the impressive horn size is due to the influence of Hungarian Grey or Watussi, or maybe large-horned Heck cattle.
Looking at all this, I think these years are the best in terms of breeding-back so far. There are so many projects working with different breeds distributed over a range of countries all over Europe. It is really enjoyable to watch.
It seems that a new aurochs project called "Oerrund Hard" just started. So far they have really few Hecks calling them "Oerrund" obviously. It seems that the chief of this initiative is a famous aurochs personality who tried, each time unsuccesfully, to lead several aurochs projects . He used to oppose Hecks so much...
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I am not sure if the person you are suspecting is really behind it, but it is absolutely possible. As far as I can see, some of the animals are definitely Taurus cattle, others might be Cachena crosss of Felix Hohmeyer's herd, but I'm not sure.
DeleteOerrund Hard is a project initiated by Henri Kerkdijk. It is a new start-up in Eastern Netherlands (Hence the name of the project, that is a smart variation on the name of most famous popsong from the eastern Netherlands: Oerend Hard by the group Normaal). Oerrund Hard also have a facebook-site. At the moment there are two small herds living on little pastures.
ReplyDeleteHungarian Grey Cattle
ReplyDeleteThe Hungarian grey cattle breed is a true Hungaricum, an indigenous, legally protected lovestock of Hungary. It is one of the most famous hungarian features of the whole world. Traditional herding technology - an extensive goulash keeping and cultural heritage built on hundreds of years of tradition is combined with a certificate of origin that meets the expectations of the age.
Maybe but what's the deal?
Delete