Agerolese Cattle Breed – Everything You Need to Know

These beautiful medium-sized cattle are a protected breed due to a decline in their numbers. But thanks to conservation efforts their numbers are once again slowly increasing to a level where they are now listed as endangered but maintained.
They are mainly used for their dairy products in the making of high-quality butter and Italian cheeses such as Provolone del Monaco and Fior di Latte.

AGEROLESE BREED OF CATTLE QUICK PROFILE OVERVIEW
The Agerolese breeds population is slowly on the rise thanks to the efforts of the Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forsestali
Country of Origin:	Italy
Other Names:	None
Main Purpose:	Milk
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Can be used for	Breed, Milk
Ideal Climate:	Heat, Cold, Most Climates
Conservation Status:	Not listed by the *ALC Status/Rarity: Endangered – Protected by the Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forsestali
Health Issues?	No known health issues
Good Starter Cattle?	Novice to intermediate Cattle farmer/keeper level
Cattle Associations:	Unclear – Please check with the American Dairy Association, National Association of Animal Breeders, Beef Cattle Breed Associations or The Beef Industry’s Information Center
Cattle Clubs:	Unclear – Please check with the American Dairy Association, National Association of Animal Breeders, Beef Cattle Breed Associations or The Beef Industry’s Information Center
Where to buy them?	Unclear – Please check with the American Dairy Association, National Association of Animal Breeders, Beef Cattle Breed Associations or The Beef Industry’s Information Center
Child Friendly?	Livestock should not be left unattended around unsupervised children
General Information:	The Agerolese cattle are one of sixteen minor Italian cattle breeds of limited diffusion that are protected by the Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forsestali. This is the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and the breed is mainly distributed in Monti Lattari, Campania, and Sorrento Peninsula.
Note: *ALC stands for American Livestock Conservancy

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

They are a medium sized cattle breed with long legs, thick necks, and a well-muscled proportional body. They have medium sized alert ears and usually a white muzzle.

Size:

Medium

CATTLE ⇒	COW	BULL
Breed Color:	Brown with a light dorsal stripe	Light black with a dorsal stripe
Breed Weight:	380 to 450 kgs	600 to 650 kgs
Breed Height:	120 to 123 cm	130 to 135 cm
Horns:	They have horns that point forwards and curve slight inwards	They have horns that point forwards and curve slight inwards
Temperament:	Generally calm	Generally calm
Matures at age:	6 to 8 months or 9 + months	6 to 8 months or 9 + months
Puberty Age:	6 to 15 months	9 to 1o months
Breeding Age:	13 to 15 months	1 year
Breeding Traits:	See Cow breeding & Milking Info	Cover 25 to 30 Cows in 1 season

COW BREEDING & MILKING INFORMATION
Cows only calve once a year and should have 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. The Agerolese breeds milk contains around 3.5% butterfat and is used in the production of Italian cheeses. One of which is made in only 13 countries and has a DOP status. This is the Provolone del Monaco cheese which must contain a minimum of 20% Agerolese milk. The cows have a high milk yield of up to 20 liters per day and are excellent mothers with a good calving rate with minimal birthing problems.
Breeding Period/cycle:	Usually lasts 6 to 24 hours Most ave. 12 to 16 hours Cows usually come on heat every 21 days.
Estrous cycle:	Ave. 17 days to 24 days Heifer – usually ave. 20 days Cows – usually ave. 21 days
Gestation Period:	Usually, around 279 to 287 days but most gestation is 283 days. Cows that are carrying bull calf’s their gestation period is usually a little longer than cows that are carrying heifer calves.
No. Calves/Litter:	1 calf at a time. Cows rarely have twins or triplets, but it can happen
Lactation Period:	Cows lactation period can last for up to about 10 months (305) days.
Milking From:	1 to 6 weeks after Calving
Drying off Period:	The cow should have a 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. Drying off period for around 60 days before she can calve again.
Milk Quality:	Good, Quantity: Between 2500 kgs (primiparous) to 3500 kgs (pluriparous) per lactation period.
Milk Ideal for:	Calves, drinking, butter, various dairy items, and sought-after Italian cheeses
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CATTLE MEAT PRODUCTION INFORMATION

They were once used for their meat which was of high quality, tender, and excellent grade. Due to low numbers and the cattle breed being protected they are mainly used to produce milk and cross-breeding these days.

Meat Production?

No, Quality: High-grade excellent quality

CATTLE ⇒	VEAL	BEEF
Ave. Maturity Age:	6 to 8 months	9 months up to 4 years

CATTLE SKIN PRODUCTION INFORMATION

Most meat Cattle will have a skin by-product, and these are usually used in some form or just as a hide.

Skin Production?

N/A

Skin is used to Produce:

Calf/cow skin leather products such as shoes, car seats, fine leather coats, gloves, handbags, belts, furniture, rugs, etc.

CATTLE ⇒	CALF	ADULT
Age they Produce from:	6 to 8 months for Calf skin 1 to 2 years old for Normal leather	9 months + for Cattle skin 1 to 2 years old for Normal leather

HISTORY

The Agerolese cattle breed is thought to have originated in the Agerola area in Capania, Southern Italy. They are believed to be derived from the cross-breeding of the Podolica (indigenous breed) cattle to that of the Bruna Italiana, Italian Holstein, and Jersey cattle.

In the 18th century, the Bourbon kings of Naples imported various cattle breeds in order to cross breed them with the indigenous grey cattle in order to improve on the breed.
A soldier and adventurer, General Paolo Avitabile return to his hometown Agerola in 1845 bringing with him Jersey cattle from his trip to England.

It was from this stock of Jersey cattle that were added to the local breed and later crossed with breeds such as Bruna Italiana, Frisona Italiana, Bretonne Pie Noir. The breed was recognized as its own breed and named “Agerolese” in 1952 with the standard for the breed being approved in the same year. In 1952 there was 2760 head of Agerolese cattle listed.

In 2007 the breed was reported by the FAO and listed as “endangered-maintained” with the population count for the breed being 200 head of cattle. Of those 200 head of cattle, there were 103 adult cattle.
By 2012 the breeds numbers had slightly improved to a population of 347 head of Agerolese cattle.