Luxi cattle is one of the four major indigenous cattle breeds in China's Central Plains region. Primarily raised in Heze and Jining in southwest Shandong Province, this breed is distributed across areas extending from the north of the Yellow River to the old course of the river, and eastward along both sides of the canal. It is mainly found in counties such as Jiaxiang, Jinxiang, Jining, Wenshang, Lucheng, Heze, Juye, Liangshan, and Jining. Additionally, it is also present in parts of Liaocheng and Tai'an in northeastern Shandong.
**Appearance Characteristics**
Luxi cattle are known for their well-proportioned and compact body structure, with a balanced build that reflects good physical development. Bulls typically have more angular or gantry-shaped horns, while cows display a wider variety of horn shapes, often with a more pronounced gantry angle. Their skin is relatively thick and well-developed. Bulls tend to have a higher shoulder and a less developed hindquarter, resulting in a noticeable height difference between the front and back of the body. In contrast, cows have a flatter chest, well-developed hindquarters, a short and straight back, slightly sloping hips, and dry joints with visible tendons. The forelimbs are straight, while the hind limbs are less curved, and the hocks are closely spaced. Their hooves are dense but not particularly hard, and the tail is long and thin, often curling into a twisted shape. Coat colors range from pale yellow to brown-red, with yellow being the most common. Typically, the front part of the body is darker than the rear, and bulls tend to be darker than cows. Most cows have lighter coloring on the inside of the eyes, mouth, lower abdomen, and limbs. The nose is usually pale pink, though some may have dark spots. Eye color varies, and horns are generally flat or gantry-shaped.
**Living Habits**
Luxi cattle are a locally bred species adapted to careful management and year-round feeding conditions. While they can survive on roughage like wheat straw, they thrive best under meticulous feeding practices. Forage is often ground and processed, and in winter, feeding "flowers and herbs" is a common practice. Some farmers even use bean and sorghum porridge to feed cows during colder months. These cattle have a high tolerance for heat, performing well in temperatures ranging from 30°C to 35°C. However, they are sensitive to cold, and at temperatures below -5°C to -10°C, they require warm shelters to avoid cold stress. Luxi cattle also show strong resistance to diseases and are particularly resilient against cocci infections.
**Production Performance**
1. **Working Performance**
Luxi cattle are gentle and easy to handle, making them ideal for agricultural work. Medium-sized bulls can plow about 5 to 6 mu of sandy land daily, while cows can manage around 3 to 4 mu.
2. **Meat Production**
Luxi beef is highly valued for its quality. The meat is tender, with fine muscle fibers and evenly distributed fat, creating a distinct marbling pattern. Under grazing conditions supplemented with small amounts of wheat straw and 2 kg of mixed feed (40% soybean cake, 60% wheat bran), calves aged 1 to 1.5 years can gain an average of 610 grams per day. Slaughter tests show that 18-month-old steers have an average slaughter rate of 57.2%, a net meat rate of 49.0%, and a bone-to-meat ratio of 1:6.0. Adult cattle have a slightly higher slaughter rate of 58.1% and a net meat rate of 50.7%.
3. **Reproductive Performance**
Luxi cattle have strong reproductive capabilities. Cows reach sexual maturity early, with some able to conceive at just 8 months old. Most begin estrus between 10 and 12 months. The average estrous cycle is 22 days (ranging from 16 to 35), and estrus lasts 2 to 3 days. Breeding is most effective 21 to 30 hours after estrus begins, with higher conception rates in cows over 1.5 to 2 years old. A cow can give birth to 7 to 8 calves in her lifetime, sometimes up to 15. The gestation period averages 285 days (270–310). Bulls mature slightly later, producing mature sperm at around 1 year old, and starting breeding at 2 to 2.5 years. They can be used for 5 to 7 years, with some maintaining good fertility even at 10 years. Their peak fertility occurs before age 5, and semen volume ranges from 5 to 10 ml. Sperm survival after freezing varies significantly among individuals.
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