Romagnola

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The Romagnola is an Italian breed of cattle from the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It belongs to the Podolic group of grey cattle. The cattle were used principally as draught beasts in the past; since the mechanisation of agriculture in the mid-20th century, they have been bred primarily for beef production. As with other European grey cattle, the Romagnola breed hasbeen suggested to be derived from Podolian cattle from the steppes of eastern Europe, possibly brought to Italy by invading Goths in the fourth century AD or by the Lombard king Agilulf. This hypothesis is based on the zoological theories of the 19th century, going back to the Bos taurus podolicus of Johann Andreas Wagner. The claim is not supported by modern genetic, zoological, or archaeological research. in the past, a number of local subtypes of the Romagnola were noted, including the Bolognese in the area of Bologna, the Ferrarese in the area of Ferrara, a mountain type (di monte) and a lowland type (gentile di pianura). Selective breeding towards the modern type began in about 1850, and the resulting stock won prizes both in Italy and abroad. In Paris in 1900, the Romagnola was judged jointly with the Hereford to be the "best beef breed". The Romagnola was, however, principally a draught breed and was bred for that purpose, with massive and powerful foreparts and short, strong legs. Following the progressive mechanisation of agriculture in the years after the Second World War, the breeding strategy changed completely and was directed towards beef production.