Chianina Cattle

Chianina cattle are a beef breed and among the oldest and most iconic in the world, originating from the Val di Chiana region in central Italy, which gives the breed its name.

Historical records and artifacts show that Chianina cattle were used as work animals in farming and in ceremonial events. They were admired for their strength, beauty, and ability to adapt.

Over time, the breed evolved from a dual-purpose animal (used for both work and meat) into a highly specialized beef breed, thanks to selective breeding focused on growth rate.

This breed is now celebrated not only in its native Italy but also in many countries where it has been introduced for crossbreeding and purebred production, contributing to improved beef yields and genetic diversity.

Characteristics

Color and Coat

The coat is porcelain white with possible light gray shading around the neck and shoulders, blending harmoniously without sharp edges.

Skin

The skin is fine, pigmented, and easy to lift. Vertical folds in the neck and light dewlap highlight the quality and adaptability of the breed.

Head, Eyes, Ears

The head is light and expressive, with a straight profile and wide, well-formed muzzle. The black eyes are lively and alert, while the ears are broad, finely haired, and positioned horizontally.

Horns

Chianina cattle are naturally horned.

The horns are short, thin, and elliptical, pointing forward and outward, though dehorning is permitted.

Neck

The neck is strong and muscular, with fine folds of skin that connect smoothly to the body. Bulls have a pronounced hump, emphasizing their masculinity, while females have a muscular but less prominent neck. The dewlap is light and not overly loose.

Chest

The chest is broad and muscular, indicating a large thoracic capacity to house vital organs. The shape is convex and slopes outward, showing good strength and vitality.

Shoulder

The shoulder is broad, muscular, and closely attached to the body. It is set at a proper angle to allow smooth and strong movement, forming a solid base for muscle attachment.

Back

The back is long, wide, and very muscular, showing a “double-convexity” shape due to well-developed muscles.

Legs

The forelegs and hind legs are straight and properly aligned. The forelegs show muscular arms and forearms, while the hind legs are strong, lean, and muscular with visible tendons. The hocks are clean and solid, and the bones of the legs are fine and light, contributing to the cattle’s longevity.

Feet

The feet are strong and compact, with deep heels that support the animal’s weight and movement. The pasterns are short, sturdy, and pointed in the correct direction, ensuring durability and balance.

Thorax

The thorax is deep and wide, with well-arched sides covered in muscle. The height of the thorax exceeds the distance from the sternum to the ground, signifying robust internal development and strength.

Abdomen

The abdomen is wide yet firm, with a nearly straight lower line. This reflects the breed’s excellent muscle tone and capacity for feed intake.

Rump

The rump is broad, long, and muscular, slightly sloping toward the tail. The tail is cleanly set and well-aligned with the body.

Thigh and Buttocks

The thighs and buttocks are thick and rounded, with pronounced muscular development.

Udder

The udder is large, well-vascularized, and broad-based, with evenly spaced quarters. The teats are well-shaped and easy for calves to suckle, ensuring healthy growth for offspring.

Testicles

The testicles are proportionate, well-developed, and descend correctly into the scrotum, ensuring reproductive health and performance.

Size

Chianina cattle have a massive size.

The average wither height for these cattle is 5.1 ft (155 cm) for males and 4.7 ft (144 cm) for females. However, some individuals can grow much taller, with heights reaching up to 6.5 feet (2 m), showcasing the breed’s impressive size and stature.

Their impressive dimensions contribute to their reputation.

Lifespan

These cattle have a lifespan of approximately 15 to 20 years when they are well cared for.

However, their productive life, during which they are most efficient for breeding or beef production, is usually shorter and lasts around 8 to 12 years.

Growth Rate

How fast do they grow?

Chianina cattle have a super fast growth rate, making them one of the most efficient beef breeds for weight gain in the world.

Young males can gain over 4.4 lbs (2 kg) per day, while females can gain around 3.97 lbs (1.8 kg) per day.

Weight

A mature male weighs between 2,645 to 3,307 lbs (1,200 to 1,500 kg), and a mature female can weigh between 1,764 to 2,205 lbs (800 to 1,000 kg) at maturity.

The calves have a birth weight of 110 to 126 lbs (50 to 57 kg), which is larger compared to calves of other breeds.

Some farmers report that calves can have even higher birth weights, which may sometimes lead to challenges during calving. In some cases, this has resulted in the loss of calves due to their larger size at birth.

Bulls often weigh more than 3,500 lbs (1,600 kg).

Chianina bull Donetto: A Chianina bull named Donetto holds the world record as the heaviest bull. The bull weighed 3,840 lbs (1,740 kg) when showcased at the Arezzo show in 1955.

Slaughtered Time

You can slaughter these cattle between 17 to 24 months. At this age, they weigh around 1,543 to 1,764 lbs (700 to 800 kg).

The dressing percentage of this breed is 67%, which is considered high. This means that for a 1,653 lbs (750 kg) animal, you get approximately 1,102 lbs (500 kg) of usable meat.

Temperament

These cattle are calm in controlled settings, but they also have a strong and independent character.

They are alert and attentive to their surroundings but not aggressive or nervous, which contributes to their adaptability to various environments and handling systems.

Some bloodlines of this breed are less gentle and can sometimes act more energetic or difficult to handle.

When improperly handled or in stressful environments, they can become more challenging to manage.

Without proper training and regular handling, they may show nervousness or skittish behavior, which could be interpreted as “crazy” or difficult.

Historically, their temperament made them suitable as draft animals, as they were willing to work without being overly stubborn or difficult to control.

Meat

Chianina meat is not only lean but also recognized as the leanest beef in the world, with a fat content of just 2%.

Despite having so little fat, it features fine marbling that enhances its flavor. In fact, the excellent taste of this meat comes from its superior fat distribution. The small amount of fat within the muscles gives the meat its unique flavor, while the outer layer of fat helps it stay moist and tender when cooked.

The meat is bright red, firm, and elastic. It is high in protein (over 20%) while being low in cholesterol (50 mg per 100 g) and calories (106 Kcal per 100 g).

Additionally, it contains more iron (1.6 mg per 100 g) than white meat, making it both a healthy and nutritious choice.

The most famous cut is the Florentine steak (Bistecca alla Fiorentina), which comes from the sirloin near the tail. This steak has a T-shaped bone, with the fillet on one side and the sirloin on the other. It is a signature dish of Italian cuisine.

This cattle produces many other great cuts of beef, including:

• Tenderloin: These cuts are very tender and perfect for steaks or roasts.
• Ribeye: A flavorful cut with a small amount of fat for extra taste.
• Loins: This part gives premium cuts like filet and strip steaks, known for their smooth texture and rich taste.
• Top Round and Bottom Round: These lean cuts are great for slow-cooked meals like roasts or braised dishes.

Raising

Feeding

You can feed these cattle the following:

• High-quality grass and hay in the cold season
• Silage
• Alfalfa or legume hay
• Grains like corn, barley, oats, soybean meal, or other protein feeds

It all depends on their growth stage and what you want to achieve.

If your goal is to raise Chianina cattle on a grass-fed diet only, it is entirely possible. These cattle are well-suited for pasture grazing.

A grass-fed diet enhances the natural leanness of the meat, producing beef with excellent nutritional value, lower fat content, and higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

However, there are some challenges to consider, such as:

• Grass-fed Chianina cattle may grow more slowly compared to those supplemented with grains, especially if the forage quality is poor.
• Grass quality can decline during winter or dry seasons, requiring supplemental forage like hay or silage to meet their nutritional needs.
• Grass-fed beef may sometimes lack the marbling and tenderness that can be achieved through grain-finishing.

You can also try feeding them a specialized diet for each stage of life:

• Calves: Feed milk replacers or allow suckling initially, followed by a starter grain mix and hay as they grow.
• Growing cattle: High-energy feed and forage to promote rapid weight gain, meeting their high growth potential.
• Breeding cows and bulls: Balanced diets with forage, moderate energy, and mineral supplementation to ensure fertility and reproductive health.

Apart from their feed, you need to provide proper minerals and vitamins to maintain their health. Nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, copper, and zinc can be supplied through a mineral block.

Always provide clean and fresh water, as cattle require significant amounts for digestion and overall health.

Environment

This breed is very adaptable and can live in different types of environments. They are well-suited for both open pastures and more intensive systems, depending on how you plan to raise them.

• Open pasture: These cattle do well in open grazing systems. They can live in areas with plenty of grass and space to roam.
• Intensive systems: They can also do well in more intensive environments, like feedlots or semi-intensive farms. In these systems, they are fed a mix of grains, silage, and hay to support faster growth and weight gain.

Climate

They are suitable for warmer climates due to their Italian origin, but with proper care, they can adapt to a wide range of climates, including hot, cold, dry, and temperate regions.

Shelter

These cattle do not always require permanent shelters, especially in mild or temperate climates. However, providing shelter in extreme weather conditions is important for maintaining their health.

In cold areas, a man-made shelter protects them from freezing temperatures and harsh weather conditions. In hot climates, shelters provide shade to prevent heat stress. In wet or humid environments, even natural shelters like trees or hedges are sufficient to shield them from heavy rain and excess moisture, which can lead to health issues.

How many cattle per acre?

In high-quality pastures with plenty of nutritious forage, you can raise 1 cattle per 4 to 6 acres. In lower-quality or less productive pastures, you may need 8 to 12 acres.

Due to their large size and high nutritional requirements, Chianina cattle generally require more space than smaller breeds.

Breeding

Breeding Chianina cattle is most often done through natural mating.

Artificial insemination (AI) is used less frequently, as breeders tend to prefer natural mating due to tradition and the challenges of handling these large animals during the AI process.

Chianina cattle reach sexual maturity at around 16 to 18 months, but despite their early maturity, heifers are usually bred for the first time at 2.0 to 2.5 years old, which is later than many other breeds.

This delay is because heifers take longer to reach physical maturity for pregnancy due to their large size.

Despite the large size of calves, cows usually have wide pelvic structures that make calving easier.

First-time heifers may require more assistance due to their inexperience.

The gestation period is 285 days, similar to most other cattle breeds. This is about 9 to 9.5 months.

To ensure productivity and minimize stress, cows should ideally have a calving interval of about 12 to 14 months.

Chianina cows are good mothers, and their milk production is sufficient to raise their calves to weaning age, usually around 6 months.

They can continue to produce calves into their late teens, as they are long-lived and hardy.

Bulls can start breeding at around 18 to 24 months, depending on their development and health.

Bulls are widely used in crossbreeding programs due to their large size, rapid growth rate, and ability to produce high-yield carcasses. By crossing Chianina bulls with other breeds, farmers aim to improve the offspring’s growth efficiency, meat quality, and adaptability.

Some popular crossbreeding combinations are:

• Chianina x Angus: Produces offspring with the lean, large frame of Chianina and the marbling and meat tenderness of Angus. This combination is popular in the U.S. for producing premium beef.
• Chianina x Hereford: Combines the hardiness and easy-calving traits of Hereford with the growth rate and size of Chianina. This cross is common in temperate regions.
• Chianina x Charolais: Results in robust calves with good growth rates and meat yield, ideal for commercial beef production.
• Chianina x Simmental: Balances milk production from the Simmental with the beef traits of Chianina, making it suitable for dual-purpose systems.

Terminal vs. Maternal

Chianina is a terminal cattle breed, as they possess terminal characteristics with a primary focus on beef production.

Health Issues

Chianina cattle do not have unique or breed-specific diseases but can face common cattle health issues such as parasites, digestive problems, respiratory diseases, and foot and hoof conditions.

Why should you raise it?

Homestead Overview

Challenges

• Space Requirements: They require larger grazing areas and spacious shelters due to their massive size, which can be challenging for homesteads with limited land.
• Handling Large Animals: Their size demands proper training and handling from an early age. Without consistent management, their sheer strength and potential aggression can become overwhelming for small-scale farmers.
• Feeding Needs: Their high nutritional requirements may increase feed costs or put a strain on available forage for homesteaders with smaller pastures.

Why It Might Work

• Meat for Personal Use: A single cattle can provide a large quantity of lean, high-quality beef, potentially supplying a homesteader’s family with meat for an entire year or more.
• Long-Term Investment: With proper care, the cattle can live and remain productive for many years, making them a long-term asset for a homesteader looking for self-sufficiency.

Verdict: While possible, raising Chianina cattle on a homestead is more suitable for experienced cattle handlers with ample land. Smaller, dual-purpose breeds like Dexter or Galloway might be better suited for homesteaders with limited space.

Small Farm Perspective

Challenges

• Initial Costs: Purchasing quality cattle breeding stock, especially bulls, can be expensive, with prices ranging from €4,000 to €8,000 per animal.
• Infrastructure: Small farms need robust fencing, larger equipment, and sturdy facilities to handle the breed’s size.

Innovative Opportunities

• Farm-to-Table Marketing: Small farms can create direct-to-consumer relationships, emphasizing the uniqueness and quality of Chianina beef. Hosting events like beef tastings or farm tours can add value.
• Agrotourism: Incorporating Chianina cattle into a farmstay or educational experience could attract tourists interested in this unique breed, similar to its role in Italian farms.

Verdict: Small farms with sufficient space and resources are well-positioned to raise these cattle, especially if they focus on niche markets or crossbreeding.

Large Business Perspective

Challenges

• Specialized Handling: Commercial businesses need skilled workers and proper facilities to handle large herds of Chianina cattle safely and efficiently.
• Feed Costs: While they are efficient foragers, supplemental feeding for commercial growth targets can raise operational costs.

Innovative Opportunities

• Export Market: Capitalize on the international demand for lean, high-quality beef by targeting export markets.
• Crossbreeding Programs: Use bulls in large-scale crossbreeding operations to improve the performance of local or smaller breeds, enhancing meat yield and growth rates.
• Branding and PDO (Protected Designation of Origin): Large farms can collaborate with associations like Italy’s Consorzio Produttori Carne Bovina Pregiata to market certified premium Chianina beef.
• Carbon Neutral Farming: Large operations can integrate sustainability practices like rotational grazing and methane reduction technologies, using Chianina’s efficiency as a selling point.

Verdict: Commercial businesses can benefit significantly from raising Chianina cattle, especially when targeting premium beef markets or employing innovative strategies like sustainability and branding.

Advantages

• High dressing percentage
• Lean meat and premium cuts of meat
• Good growth rate
• Hardiness
• Long lifespan
• Good mothering skills and milk production
• Good foraging ability
• Hybrid vigor when crossbred

Disadvantages

• Late maturity
• Large birth weight causing calving difficulties
• “Crazy” temperament in some bloodlines
• High-space requirements
• High costs due to large appetite

References

• Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Bovini Italiani da Carne ^link
• Società Agricola SAN GIOBBE ^link
• CarneChianina.it ^link