Guangfeng Cattle

Guangfeng Cattle

　　Origin and Distribution: The central production area and place of origin of Guangfeng Cattle is Guangfeng County in Jiangxi Province, mainly distributed in parts of the surrounding counties such as Yushan, Shangrao, Hengfeng, and Yiyang. Physical Characteristics: Bulls have heavy and broad heads, while cows have lighter and narrower ones. They have straight noses, flat foreheads, prominent occipital bones, and often protruding eyes. Horn shapes are divided into four types: “Fu Character Horn,” “Eagle Claw Horn,” “Fire Fork Horn,” and “Carrying Pole Horn.” Bulls have prominent shoulder humps that rise above the withers, with mound-like tops. Cows have well-developed udders with orderly and evenly spaced teats. Their hooves are black, solid, and round, with raised edges around the sole and tight clefts. The pasterns are short and closely connected to the hooves. The tail extends past the hock, with a large and long tail brush. Coat colors include yellow, black, brown, and dark brown. The hair is smooth and glossy, with thin, compact, and elastic skin.

　　[Formation History]

　　According to the recollection of elderly farmers, for nearly a hundred years before the founding of the People’s Republic of China, only people from other provinces came to Guangfeng to buy cattle. For generations, no cattle were brought in from outside, so it was considered a local breed.

　　Guangfeng is located at the junction of Fujian, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi provinces, with a mild climate. The area features low hills, fertile soil, gentle slopes, and lush grass, all conducive to the growth and development of cattle. Coupled with inconvenient transportation, which prevented interference from outside breeds, the conditions were ideal for the self-breeding of this variety. Additionally, the production area mostly consists of terraced fields surrounded by mountains, with large areas of dry land. Mountain paths and rural roads are mostly composed of fine, weathered sandy particles. Cattle that worked and walked in this environment over the long term developed thick, sturdy limbs and hard-wearing hooves, hence earning the name “Iron-Hoof Cattle.”

　　The people of Guangfeng have little arable land compared to their population, and agricultural income alone is limited. To supplement their earnings, raising poultry and livestock has been a longstanding tradition. Selling “piao cattle” (i.e., well-bred cattle) also has a long history. To raise high-quality, high-value cattle, they typically select offspring from bulls and cows that are tall, have strong bones, compact builds, and strong plowing ability. Over time, this selective breeding has led to increasingly superior cattle—more “piao” and better quality. For example, Huangfeng Brigade, known as the home of yellow cattle, is the capital of “piao cattle.” They not only have the habit of raising “piao cattle” but also possess experience in selecting them, which is why their yellow cattle are especially outstanding. This brigade was once recognized as a “Model Cattle-Raising Brigade” in East China.