Buša
The Buša cattle (or also Busha; Bos brachyeros europeus[1]) is a small native breed of cattle with numerous strains found throughout southern parts of former Yugoslavia (Dinaric Alps). It belongs to the group of the shorthorn cattle.[1]
Description
The animals are unicoloured brown. They are small: the height at the withers is 100–110 cm. Cows weigh 180–250 kg, and bulls weigh c. 300 kg. Buša heifers are backward; they become sexually mature only with two years. The calves are very small: their birth weight is about 15 kg. The breed's fertility is between 85 and 90%. Females stay fertile until an age of twelve years. The life span of the animal is about twenty years.[1]
Characteristics
Bušas are used as draft animals, and for beef and milk production. Although their work capacity is modest, the animals are disease-resistant, well-adapted to harsh climate, and require little food. The milk performance is 700–800 l per annum. The milk contains about 4–6% milk fat.[1]
Variants
Bušas and their cross breeds are widespread over the former Yugoslavia: they are kept in Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, parts of Croatia like Lika and Dalmatia, and in Montenegro. They are adapted on karst landscapes and count as robust and frugal. In the winter the cattle is housed for 2–6 months, in the remaining time they are kept outdoor.