Gray Ukrainian Cattle

a breed of cattle raised for meat and milk. The breed was developed by selection and by culling animals from the population of gray cattle that have long been bred in Southern Europe for meat and as draft animals. In the 19th century the Gray Ukrainian breed was used mainly as a draft animal. With the increased use of machinery, the selection of cattle was directed toward meat and dairy qualities. The cattle are various shades of gray. Bulls weigh 800–850 kg and cows 450–550 kg. The dressed yield after pasturing and fattening is 62–65 percent. The milk yield is 2,000–2,500 kg, with a fat content of 4.2–4.5 percent. The animals are noted for their hardiness. The breed is raised in several regions of the Ukrainian SSR.