It is believed that the Chianina breed began in the Bronze Age in about 1500 BC, derived from animals of Asia and Africa brought into Italy. The Chianina are among the oldest, if not the oldest, of purebred bovine breeds.
In the Roman times of 300–200 BC, the breed was used primarily for draft and sacrificial purposes. With the coming of Christianity and on into the Middle Ages, times became more practical; the medieval peasant simply could not afford to keep an animal that could not work well, and those animals that could not conform were butchered. This practice may have been the first, albeit rustic, breeding program. The legacy of this ‘breeding program’ is great uniformity within the breed, their excellently developed legs and hard hooves, and their endurance qualities and docility.
In 1974 the first Chianina semen was imported into Australia. The semen had been collected from 13 bulls in Canada, and to this day has formed the development of the Chianina breed in Australia. More recently, semen has been imported direct from Italy.
Although numbers in Australia are still small, Chianina cattle can be found in every state, with the largest number being in Queensland.
A full-blooded Chianina can offer more potential growth for a single cross than most other breeds. This hybrid vigour can be achieved over Angus, Hereford, Brahman, Sahiwal and other British and tropical breeds.
In a first-cross calf by a full-blood Chianina bull, it will be found that the black skin pigmentation of the Chianina is predominant, while the white colour of the Chianina hair is recessive; the predominant colour of the dam will carry through with the first cross.
Irrespective of the breed of foundation cow used, the performance of the progeny will be improved by crossing with the Chianina breed.
For more information about the Chianina breed, contact:
The Secretary
John C Thomas
Chianina Society of Australia
c/- ABRI
University of New England
Armidale NSW 2351
Ph: (02) 6773 3126
Fax: (02) 6772 1943
Website: http://chianina.une.edu.au
This Agnote is based on information provided by the Chianina Society of Australia. Their contribution is gratefully acknowledged.
Photos supplied courtesy of the Chianina Society of Australia.