Maine - Anjou
Leaders in Feed Efficiency
Maine-Anjou cattle offer a balance of important traits to the commercial industry to increase profits. Maine-Anjou is a complete breed which contributes maternal and growth traits, as well as a desirable colour, skin pigmentation and docility.
History
The Maine-Anjou Breed was founded in 1839 when the French Mancelle was crossed with the Durham. In 1908 the success of the breed was assured so the Breeders formed a Society and named it Maine-Anjou. The name was derived from where the new breed was flourishing, which was where the Mayenne River met the Loire River in the Anjou Region.The Maine-Anjou excelled in their ability to grow and milk with only grass, and soon became the most popular breed in the region.
After Canadian and American cattlemen saw the breed in France and were impressed by these traits, the breed was imported to into North America in 1969. Australia and New Zealandimported the breed in 1973 and 1972 respectively.
Maine-Anjou have adapted well to Australia’s extremes in climatic conditions and can be found throughout the country, being represented by purebred and commercial cattle herds.
Maine-Anjou have adapted well to Australia’s extremes in climatic conditions and can be found throughout the country, being represented by purebred and commercial cattle herds.
Traits
The Maine-Anjou breed is known for:
- Docility: easily managed in the paddock and feedlot and their docility contributes to feed efficiency.
- Growth factor: the growth potential of young cattle and the adult weight are two main advantages of this breed.
- Exceptional fertility: The bulls mature early, allowing their use as active sires at 15 months. Females also cycle at an early age.
- Maternal trait and milking ability: high fertility,mothering ability and milking qualities make these cows great mothers.
- Easy calving; Maine-Anjou cattle are known for their easy calving.
- Carcass qualities: Maine-Anjou produce quality cuts from a high yielding carcass that exhibits a desirable amount of marbling along with an even cover of fat that suits a variety of markets for today.
- Feed efficiency: Maine-Anjou steers gain more weight than most breeds on less feed. The cows are very efficient because of the low feed requirements relative to weight and milk yield. It has been shown that Maine-Anjou cross cows are as efficient as the smaller crosses and that they produce the BIGGEST CALF ON LESS FEED.
Links
Thank you to the Maine-Anjou Society of Australia for assisting in this page and providing us with photos