INGLES
Retinta breed derives from the cattle trunk
Bostaurus Turdetanus and it is an indigenous breed to the south and southwest of the
Iberian Peninsula. Red skinned cattle, in different shades, had existed in the Iberian
Peninsula since ancient times.
Seeing that they all derived from a common root, they were reunited in a selection
project and named Retinta because of its deep reddish colour.
Spanish Retinta is most numerous in the southwestern region of Spain: Western
Andalucía and Extremadura. Many of the so called Creole breeds throughout the Americas
are not alien to this breed since they havs a distant origin in common.
Differences in soil and possibilities are large in that vast region of the
Peninsula. They all share poorly distributed scarce rains, some 500 mm, which coincides
with winter inactivity and dry pastures during a long summer. Extreme temperatures range
from - 10oC to 44oC in the shade. The breed manages to thrive on
rough and woody feed.
On the other hand, both its colour and its natural tendency to shed its winter hair
in the spring leaving a thin and soft skin, contribute to their tolerance to strong
sunlight and high temperatures. Retinta has a long lifespan which is economically
important. Fertility is normal but this trait is closely dependent on feeding conditions.
Calving ease is remarkable. It has a strong maternal instinct and milk is more than
enough for its calf in abnormal feeding conditions.
Its resistance to infections, parasites (cattle tick) and other illnesses is
frankly exceptional. It is medium sized but thers is an obvious tendency towards larger
structures when selection aims at that trait and its feed is controlled and guaranteed.
Females weighing 700 k and 1000 k males are not uncommon.
Breed traits are not ecstatic and this is particularly so in breeds managed by man.
A breed is a dynamic process which has been achieved in zootechnically beefcattle
Retinta during the past 15 years.
Morphological
characteristics: Head: sub hollow profile, medium sized. Muzzle: acuminate. Horns: regular
size, white and dark tipe. Neck and limbs: strong. Tail: high set, thin, white hairs at
the tip. Hoofs: hard and resistant
Extremadura, in Spain, is quite similar to the semiarid
tropical and subtropical regions in Argentina which extend over the provinces of Santiago
del Estero, west of Chaco, Salta, Tucumán, west of Formosa, east of Catamarca, north of
Córdoba and Santa Fe. During four centuries cattle in this vast region descended from
animals from southern Spain which had been brought by the Spanish conquerors.
The northem area, tropics and subtropics, flourished in the 60’s and
70’s. At first, British breeds were crossed with native Creoles.
But these breeds were unable to adapt to monsoon regions with long droughts, low
quality roughage as well as intemal and extemal parasites, particularly cattle tick .
High summer temperatures were an additional hindrance. Spanish Retinta can meet
these drawbacks since it can ameliorate crossings.
Promotion of the breed during the past decade has aimed at introducing it in this
region of Argentina. Spanish and Argentine breeders met the challenge and Retinta herds
have been expanding for ten years now.
To date, the 21 heifers and 4 males which arrived ten years ago, have multiplied to
over 200 females and an equal number of pure breed males. The province of Salta has
included the breed among its high interests on account of its possibilities for adapting
to the extremely tough conditions of the subtropical region and the excellent results
obtained. There are large upgrade herds in Cruz del Eje (Córdoba), Santiago del Estero,
Salta and Bahía Blanca (Province of Buenos Aires).
Carcass conformation and yield parameters range between an
average 57-59%, with individuals attaining over 62%. Length of carcass: 130 cm. Compact
ratio in K/cm: 2.1 Depth of chest 60 cm long. Rear end: 79,2 cm; width: 24,1 cm.
Perimeter: 111 cm; depth 41 cm. Loin surface at 10th rib: 89 cm.
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