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Animal husbandry in the Basque Country includes a variety of species and breeds. The climate of this region is ideal for raising cattle and other livestock and is classified as Atlantic, or warm and rainy (1). The most common breeds of livestock raised in this region include beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, and horses (1). These animals are most often raised in mixed farms, or farms that contain a combination of these types of animals and not just one type exclusively (1). Although the number of livestock farms notably decreased between the years of 1999 and 2009, the amount of animals raised on each remaining farm increased dramatically, as discussed in further detail below (2). In 2006, there were estimated to be about 19,000 Basque farms that involved the raising of livestock (4). == Cattle == Beef cattle are the most popular livestock farmed in the Basque Country, being present in approximately 62% of all livestock farms of that region (1). Between 1999 and 2009, the average number of cattle present on each farm rose by about 88.3%, making cattle the most rapidly increasing group of livestock during that time (2). One explanation for this increased attraction to beef cattle farming is that the production of beef meat easily involves other industries such as dairy and cereal, allowing for more economic opportunities and collaborations (2). Almost a quarter of livestock gross production is beef meat (4). Some common breeds of cattle in the Basque Country include Betizu, Monchina, Pirenaica, and Terreña. However, the breed that is used most often in the meat industry is Pirenaica (3). Of all of the breeds used in meat production in this region, this is the only breed that is completely native to the Basque Country (4). Dairy cattle are present in 17% of Basque farms (1). These animals are the only type of livestock in the Basque Country that must be raised in separate, specialized farms, as opposed to the mixed farms mentioned above (1). As of 2006, there are 15 provincial Farmers’ Associations in the Basque Country, each specializing in a specific breed of cattle (4). These associations are held accountable for collecting and processing data about the cattle (4). The Association of Pirenaica is outstanding amongst these groups due to its high amount of cattle, experience, and genetic advancement of the livestock (4). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Animal husbandry in the Basque Country」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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