Kongshan Yellow Cattle

Kongshan Yellow Cattle

　　Kongshan Yellow Cattle

　　　Farmers in Tongjiang County have a history of cattle farming spanning over 2,000 years, gradually developing a locally adapted breed of yellow cattle known for its hardiness, mountain-grazing ability, tolerance to coarse feed, tender meat, and unique flavor — the Tongjiang Yellow Cattle (also called Kongshan Yellow Cattle). In 1982, after conducting a field survey, the Ministry of Agriculture commissioned the National Beef Cattle Breeding Collaboration Group to officially name the Tongjiang Kongshan Yellow Cattle as "Tongjiang Cattle" and include it in the World Cattle Breed Register. Nowadays, Tongjiang Kongshan Yellow Cattle are distributed across northeastern Sichuan, including Tongjiang, Nanjiang, Bazhong, Pingchang, Wanyuan, and Dazhou, with a total population exceeding 500,000 head. 　　Adult male Tongjiang Kongshan Yellow Cattle stand about 128 cm tall, measure 152 cm along the body’s diagonal, have a chest circumference of 182 cm, a cannon bone circumference of 20 cm, and weigh 478.7 kg; adult females stand around 115 cm tall, measure 143 cm diagonally, have a chest circumference of 168 cm, a cannon bone circumference of 16 cm, and weigh 388.6 kg. The Tongjiang Kongshan Yellow Cattle possess five notable characteristics: First, they exhibit excellent grazing performance, thriving even on slopes as steep as 46 degrees, making them well-suited for mountainous farming areas. Second, they are highly resilient and capable of consuming coarse feed, adapting well to harsh climatic conditions. In cold winters, farmers only need to let them graze supplemented with straw and a moderate amount of salt to maintain their weight, while in summer and autumn, grazing alone is sufficient for fattening. Third, they have strong reproductive capabilities — female cattle reach sexual maturity at 1.5 years old, show clear signs of estrus, can typically achieve two calvings in three years, remain fertile for over 12 years, and have a calf survival rate of over 95%. Fourth, they demonstrate good fattening performance; castrated bulls can gain more than 850g per day through grazing and fattening, and over 1.2kg per day when fed concentrate feed, reaching up to 400kg between 1.5 to 2 years of age. Fifth, their meat boasts excellent flavor and aroma, suitable for stir-frying, stewing, grilling, hot pot, or steaming. It has a rich, savory taste and has long been a key ingredient in Bashan's famous "Dengying Beef" and beef jerky, earning widespread popularity. 　　To ensure the rational, rapid, and healthy development of this premium local cattle breed, in recent years the Tongjiang County Party Committee and government have prioritized the growth of the cattle industry, actively encouraging farmers to raise cattle as a path to prosperity. By 2004, the county had achieved an annual beef cattle slaughter scale of 80,500 head, with the cattle farming industry generating output value of 120 million yuan, accounting for 15.4% of the county’s total animal husbandry output. The region has developed 14 cattle trading markets, with an annual trading volume of around 60,000 head. Within the county, three privately-owned beef processing enterprises have been established, producing “Dengying Beef” and a variety of beef jerky products that are exported to countries such as Russia and Southeast Asia. The annual value-added from processed beef products has reached 85 million yuan.