The Abondance cattle are a dual-purpose breed of cattle which are raised for both milk and meat production. They are a mixed breed of cattle which originated in the high valleys of Haute-Savoie, France.
They were originally known as the Chablaisienne. And they actually came from the Chablais in Haute-Savoie where they were bred by the monks of the abbaye de Saint-Maurice d’Agaune since the 12th century.
Currently there are about 150,000 head of the Abondance cattle breed available in France. They have also been exported to Africa, Iraq, New Zealand, North America and United Kingdom.
They have been cross bred with N’dama in West Africa. Read more information about the breed below.
Abondance Cattle Characteristics
Abondance cattle are medium sized animals. The cows are mainly golden brown in color with white colored underside of the abdomen, head (apart from the eyes) and extremities of their legs. Color of the bulls is different.
The bulls are of chestnut red color and a bit of white on the head. Both bulls and cows have horns.
Average height of the Abondance cows is around 130 cm, and the bulls are much larger than the cows. Average height of the bulls is around 170 cm.
The mature bulls on average weight between 645 and 820 kg. And average live body weight of the mature cows vary from 580 to 680 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
Abondance cattle are dual-purpose animals. They are raised for both milk and meat production.
Special Notes
The Abondance cattle are very strong and hardy animals. They are especially appreciated for their ability to withstand extreme variations in temperature.
They are also noted for their fertility, ease of breeding, long life and milk and meat production. Their meat is of good quality. The cows are good milk producers.
Average milk production of the Abondance cows is around 5,700 kg per lactation. Their milk is of good quality which is rich in both protein and fat content.
Their milk is traditionally used to produce Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) cheese such as the reblochon, abondance, tome des Bauges and the beaufort.
However, review full breed profile of the Abondance cattle in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Abondance | |
| Other Name | Chablaisienne | |
| Breed Purpose | Milk and meat | |
| Special Notes | Well adapted to native climates, good for meat production, good for milk production, able to withstand extreme variations in temperature, fertile, ease of breeding, long life, good quality milk | |
| Breed Size | Medium | |
| Bulls | 645-820 kg | |
| Cows | 580-680 kg | |
| Climate Tolerance | Native climates | |
| Coat Color | Bulls are chestnut red and a bit of white on the head, and the cows are golden brown with a white head (apart from the eyes), underside of the abdomen and extremities of their legs. | |
| Horned | Yes | |
| Milk Yield | Very good | |
| Rarity | Common | |
| Country/Place of Origin | France |
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