The Normande cattle are a dual-purpose breed which are used for both milk and meat production. The breed is actually from the Normandy region in North West France, and it is claimed to be descended from the cattle imported by Viking settlers in the 9th and 10th centuries.
Normande cattle evolved into a dual purpose breed for over a thousand years to meet the milk and meat needs. Present herdbook for the breed was started in 1883 in France.
The breed is also popular outside it’s native place and has been a popular export of France since the late 1800s. Since the late 1800s the breed has been exported to many countries throughout the world.
Most notably it was exported to the South America, Colombia, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador and Venezuela. Today the breed is found in every continent throughout the world.
The Normande cattle are primarily bred for meat in the United States, but now there is a strong push for it to be used for milk production too.
Currently the breed is mainly raised in France for providing rich milk for the cheese industry while maintaining their excellent carcass quality. There are nearly 1.2 million population of this breed outside France. Read some more information about this cattle breed below.
Normande Cattle Characteristics
Normande cattle are medium to large animals. They are generally chestnut-brown pied or black pied animals. Their eyes are darkly “spectacled” and there are darker pigmented hairs around the eyes.
Sun damage to the eyes from solar exposure is avoided by their dark-pigmented eye area. They have white head and there are sometimes a few speckled brown patches in the facial area.
Average height of the bulls is about 152 cm and 140 cm for the cows. Average body weight of the bulls is about 1100 kg. And the cows on average weight around 700 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
The Normande cattle are a dual purpose animals. They are valued for both of their milk and meat production.
Special Notes
The Normande cattle are hardy animals. They have hardy feet and legs which let them browse well in the tough terrains. They have excellent grazing ability and noted for their longevity.
They are generally of docile behavior and have relatively calm temperament. The cows have good mothering instincts and the bulls are easy to handle.
The cows are very fertile and reach maturity faster and remain fertile for years after. The cows are excellent milk producers and can produce up to 6000 kg of milk per lactation. Their milk is of very good quality containing about 3.5 percent protein and 4.4 percent fat with a 4.2 percent butterfat content.
The breed is also very good for meat production and produce a higher percentage yield when slaughtered. However, review full breed profile of the Normande cattle in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Normande | |
| Other Name | None | |
| Breed Purpose | Milk, Meat | |
| Special Notes | Good milkers, fast growers, storing feet and legs | |
| Breed Size | Medium to large | |
| Bulls | About 1100 kg | |
| Cows | About 700 kg | |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates | |
| Coat Color | Generally chestnut-brown pied or black pied | |
| Horned | Polled | |
| Milk Yield | Good | |
| Rarity | Common | |
| Country/Place of Origin | France |
