Girolanda is a breed of dairy

Dairy

A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...

 cattle. It is widely used in Brazil

Brazil

Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...

, where it is the main breed of dairy cattle. It was created in the first decades of the 20th century, in Brazil, by crossing Gir cattle

Gir cattle

The Gir or Gyr is one of the principal Zebu breeds originating in India. It has been used locally in the improvement of other breeds including the Red Sindhi and the Sahiwal. It was also one of the breeds used in the development of the Brahman breed in North America...

 and Holstein (cattle)

Holstein (cattle)

Holstein cattle is a breed of cattle known today as the world's highest production dairy animal. Originating in Europe, Holsteins were bred in what is now the Netherlands and more specifically in the two northern provinces of North Holland and Friesland...

. Being resistant and productive, Girolanda became popular and since some decades, it has its own lineages and associations. Progeny testing

Progeny testing

Progeny Testing is a test of the value for selective breeding of an individual's genotype by looking at the progeny produced by different matings.- Progeny Testing :...

 for artificial insemination

Artificial insemination

Artificial insemination, or AI, is the process by which sperm is placed into the reproductive tract of a female for the purpose of impregnating the female by using means other than sexual intercourse or natural insemination...

 of bulls and Embryo transfer

Embryo transfer

Embryo transfer refers to a step in the process of assisted reproduction in which embryos are placed into the uterus of a female with the intent to establish a pregnancy...

 are being used since some decades ago, in this breed of dairy cattle, in Brazil.

History of the Girolanda breed

In the first decades of 20th Century, probably in the 1940's, some Brazilian farmers crossed Gir cattle

Gir cattle

The Gir or Gyr is one of the principal Zebu breeds originating in India. It has been used locally in the improvement of other breeds including the Red Sindhi and the Sahiwal. It was also one of the breeds used in the development of the Brahman breed in North America...

 and Holstein cattle

Holstein (cattle)

Holstein cattle is a breed of cattle known today as the world's highest production dairy animal. Originating in Europe, Holsteins were bred in what is now the Netherlands and more specifically in the two northern provinces of North Holland and Friesland...

. Some were 1/2 of each breed, while others tried 3/4 of one breed and 1/4 of the other, and there was even more success with 5/8 of one breed and 3/8 of the other breed. Since the 1980's bulls of this breed have been submitted to Progeny testing

Progeny testing

Progeny Testing is a test of the value for selective breeding of an individual's genotype by looking at the progeny produced by different matings.- Progeny Testing :...

.

Even though they have been very popular since the 1950's it wasn't until 1989 that the Brazil

Brazil

Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...

ian government recognized Giroland as a cattle breed. The standard crossing for this breed is to be 5/8 Holstein and 3/8 Gir.

Girolanda's present and future

Originating from crossings of crude sources, the Girolanda became a breed in its own right. This happened because of its resistance, productivity and low cost in manpower, rations and veterinary medicines. Semen and embryos of this breed are sold in Brazil. Girolanda is the main dairy cattle

Dairy cattle

Dairy cattle are cattle cows bred for the ability to produce large quantities of milk, from which dairy products are made. Dairy cows generally are of the species Bos taurus....

 breed in Brazil

Brazil

Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...

. About 80% of dairy cattle in Brazil are pure or mixed Girolanda. This dominating role seems to remain in the future. It seems also to have good prospects in other tropical areas.

Main reasons for Girolanda's success

• Girolanda has hybrid vigour.
• Quiet disposition.
• Good milk production, in all tropical climates.
• Adaptability for all climates of Brazil.
• Long time in production of milk.
• Girolanda has high fertility.
• The calving is easy.
• Meat yield is reasonable.
• Resistance to parasites.

Sources

• Photos of Girolanda cattle
• Site in Portuguese
• Association > Brazilian site (in Portuguese). Official site of the association of this cattle breed.
• Girolando Breed > Site in English.
• Girolanda site >Site in English.