The Limia cattle is a breed of domestic cattle used mainly for meat and milk production. It is a primitive cattle breed from the Province of Ourense in Galicia in northwest Spain, which in some features resembles the extinct aurochs.
The Limia cattle is also known by some other names such as Spanish Limiana or in Galician raza Limiá.
Total population of this cattle breed was 136 animals based on a studbook with high reliability in the year of 2002. The number of breeding cows was 66, and the number of bulls used in reproduction was 59. The percentage of cows bred pure was 100 percent. That means, the cows were mated with a bull of the same race.
Population of the Limia cattle is increasing gradually. There were 460 animals in 2007, and 861 animals in 2001. Read more information about Limia cattle below.
Limia Cattle Characteristics
The Limia cattle are large animals. The breed is wild type in coloration. The cows are brown, darker on head, neck and legs (like other wild type colored cows). And the bulls have a darker colored coat than the cows, ranging from very dark brown to black with a light eel stripe and sometimes a light saddle.
Both bulls and cows share a lightly colored mouth. And both bulls and cows are usually horned. Average height at the withers is 140 cm for cows, and 148 cm for bulls. The bulls on average weight about 900kg, and average body weight of the cows is about 650 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
The breed is mainly used for meat and milk production. The breed is also used as a draught animal for agricultural purposes or other work.
Special Notes
The Limia cattle are very hardy and active animal. The primitive anatomy and ecology of the breed makes it valuable for conservation.
It is used by TaurOs Project in the Netherlands for creating a breed that resembles the auroches to the largest possible extent by crossbreeding primitive and aurochs-like breeds.
And small herds of the Limia cattle graze under natural circumstances in the Netherlands already. Review full breed profile of this breed in the table below.
| Breed Name | Limia |
| Other Names | Spanish Limiana or in Galician raza Limiá |
| Breed Purpose | Meat, Milk, Draught (work) |
| Special Notes | Hardy, Active |
| Breed Size | Heavy |
| Bulls | About 900 kg |
| Cows | About 650 kg |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
| Coat Color | Reddish brown in cows and dark brown in bulls, with light dorsal stripe |
| Horned | Yes |
| Milk Yield | Good |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country of Origin | Spain |
