CROATIAN AUTOCHTHONOUS BREEDS - ISTRIAN OX

Istrian ox The Istrian ox, locally called Boškarin, belongs to the genus of primigenius bovine animals. In the osteological sense it is close to the genuine fossil genus Bos primigenius (Posavi et al.), 2003). The origin of the Boškarin is not completely explained. There are several theories about the origin of the Istrian ox. Some consider that it arrived to our areas with the Roman legions, Avar hordes or that it had been in these areas from times immemorial. The answer to the question about the origin of the Istrian ox could be obtained from molecular genetics. By comparing the genetic record of the Boškarin with other breeds, their similarity could be determined, i.e. in what way they were related. Bulls of the Podolac breed participated in the creation of the present-day Istrian ox. In the crossbreeding there were also used bulls of the Italian genera Romagnola and Maremana, but in the first half of the 20th century it was decided that the basis of the selection should be the domestic breed. In the course of several decades the Istrian ox was ousted from its long-term environment by mechanization and by other bovine breeds, so that it almost disappeared by the end of the 20th century. In 1989 the Istrian Cattle-breeders Association was established in Višnjan, and its members have been engaged in the preservation of this genuine breed of thoroughbred head of cattle which represents great support in the preservation of genuine breeds. The Istrian ox is bred in Istria, but several specimens can be found elsewhere in the northern Adriatic region. Nowadays the population of the Istrian ox under the selective coverage numbers 350 cows and 18 bulls (Annual report for the year 2005, HSC [Croatian Livestock Centre], 2006). Owing to this small number of animals great care has to be paid to the mating so that too extensive breeding within the kinship should be avoided. The animals are primarily exploited for working and also used for producing milk and meat. The Istrian ox is large-bodied with a heavy constitution and rough body. Its colour is dark grey to light grey with shades of darker pigment on the head, neck, shoulders and stomach. It has a heavy skeleton, better developed in the front part of the body. The head is relatively coarse, with dark pigmentation of the mucous membrane of the nostril plane, the mucous membrane of the palate and in the mouth there is a dark grey tongue. Its head is adorned with large horns, grey-yellowish at the root, and their tips are usually black. The horns are about 40 cm long with a span of more than one meter and their shape is very similar to a lyre. The mean height of the cow is 138 cm and the bull’s is 148 cm. The cows weigh 600 kilos on the average while bulls can weigh more than 1,000 kilos. Their legs are strong, with black and strong hoofs well adapted to moving through the karst region. The animals are sedate, obedient and persevering in their work and are used for ploughing fields or as beasts of burden. They show great tenacity, modesty with regard to nutrition and are well adapted to the exploitation of the sparse Istrian pastures. The productive capacities of the Istrian ox are low. The cows give 1,000 l milk on the average, when fed with a better quality food and through selection they can give up to 2,500 l milk. Crossing with meat-giving breeds crossbreds could be created that are good for fattening which is a form of exploitation of this bovine breed for commercial purposes. The fact is that state incentives alone are not sufficient for the survival of this fine animal. Despite the work invested up to the present in the preservation of this genuine bovine breed, it still has the status of an endangered breed and according to the FAO classification it is on the verge of extinction.