History
The breed pronounced ‘Sa-Lair’, originate in the Southern half of the Massif Central in the Auvergne region of France.
This isolated, mountainous area (2000 to 6000ft) noted for its rough, rocky terrain and harsh, damp climate is characterised by poor soil and a wide range of temperatures throughout the summer and long winter. As the topography allowed for little cereal grain production, the Salers cattle were forced to become foragers with bred-in range-ability to utilise, almost entirely, native grasses in summer and hay in winter.
The breed Salers is one of the oldest breeds in the world, with prehistoric cave paintings suggesting that a similar type of animal has been bred in the area for 7-10,000 years. The drawings were found near Salers, a small medieval town in the centre of France.
Until modern times Salers cattle were respected not only as beef animals, but as milk producers for cheese products and were also used as strong sources of animal power.
The traditional management practice in the region was to join the cows to the bulls for a 45 day period in the spring and then walk the herds up to 100 kilometres into the surrounding mountains, where the herds were grazed on communal pastures for the summer without any bulls. Calves were kept shut in a pen. Twice daily each calf was brought from the pen and tied to the front leg of its mother while the cow stood un-tethered to be milked by hand. Some milk was left for the calf to suckle before the calf was re-penned.
In France today, only about 10% of the Salers herds are still milked, the remainder being used for beef production.
The milk is traditionally used to produce Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) cheese such as the Cantal and the Salers. The Salers breed is also used to produce veal calves by cross breeding with the Charolais.
Characteristics
Salers cattle are typically horned and are dark mahogany red in colour, however a growing number are now polled and black. The availability of polled genetics in addition to both red and black, gives Salers the advantage of a flexible breeding program.
The skin and membranes are brown, this reduces the occurance of eye or udder problems. Salers coat becomes thick and curly in winter this increases hardiness and adaptability to cold and heat.
Having roamed the mountains for centuries and been draught animals they have developed strong legs and good feet with black hooves. Consequently the cattle can travel long distances over rough ground without developing foot problems.
Being one of the oldest and genetically most pure of the European breeds, the Salers produces a positive effect on the predictability in crossbreeding programmes in a consistent increase in hybrid vigour.
At birth, Salers calves are typically long and slender and have small heads. This shape contributes to their calving ease.
Birth weights of Salers-sired calves are usually between 30 and 40 kilograms and vary with age, size and breed of the dam. Low birth weights give the calf agood start, which enhances their vigour and cuts calf mortality. Salers calves are noted for their “get up and suck”.
Salers females are usually very conscientious and vigilant mothers, often caring for other calves in the group as well as their own.
The Salers has the largest, well shaped pelvic area of the major beef breeds which accounts for their exceptional calving ease and it also has a shorter than average gestation period.
As a breed Salers are very intelligent and calm in temperament.
Statistics
- Cows wear longer - 10% less depreciation
- Easier calving - 10% extra calves
- Less replacements - 10% saving on foster calves
- Less bad calving - 10% saving on vets bills
- Fitter calves born
- Own replacement heifers - 20% more value for heifers
- Extra heifers for sale as breeders
- Less labour needed for calving surveillance - 10% less labour needed
- Better milking cows - 10% saving on feed
- Better grazers
- A female can produce almost 3000 kg of fat-rich milk in her lifetime.
- Salers females are extremely fertile.
Distribution
Currently, there are about 300,000 head of Salers in France. They have also been exported to more than 25 countries in Europe, North America, Africa and Oceania.
