Livestock Species of Sweden

Livestock Species of Sweden

The Swedish livestock species  includes pig, beef, veal and poultry egg, meat and sheep and other livestock species. The dairy sector is subjected to increasing international competition. Economically effective herds are thus a prerequisite to maintain a sound Swedish dairy industry. Economic margins of dairy herds are, however, narrow. In Sweden milk production was totally changed by science and technology. Dairy work went from cottage industry to computer-managed mass production from a traditional job performed by women and a male dominated branch. The 3 revolutionary changes – pasteurization, the milk-cream separator and Tetra Pak . Milk still has a significant position as a food product. Milk days were arranged and milk bars were opened. Modern technology, chemical fertilizer, feed and breeding have all made farming more efficient. The cows produce all the more. A series of technical innovations has eased the work on the dairy farms ie. From hand to robot. Milk has a always held a strong position as a nutritious food them.

  

Cattle

Swedish Red cattle (SRC) also called Swedish Red and White Cattle  are a dairy cattle breed from Sweden that originated from English Milking Shorthorn dairy cattle and Scottish Ayrshire cattle.  The Swedish Red cattle are a robust and resilient, well known for their caving ease, fertility, udder health and longevity. The Swedish Red cattle are a multi-purpose breed with some potential in meat production. Swedish Red cattle are medium sized cow and are mostly red with patchy white spotting. The milk production is 8000 kg per year with a fat % 4.4% and a protein content 3.6%.  They are 140 cm tall and weight 500-600 kgs.

Poultry

Swedish Flower breed is the most beautiful and largest breed with many colour variations and patterns. Swedish flower breed genetically creasted or uncrested varities ( feathered head crest ) . Swedish flower breed is well adopted to colder temperature. Swedish flower breed has black, gray, white and red colours. Swedish flower breed is developed through natural selection and random mating and adopted to the climate and conditions of Sweden. Name of Swedish flower breed named due to the white or black flecks or flowers on the tips of their feathers. ( the spots on feathers look like flowers) . Swedish flower breed is a very calm, unagressive and robust breed. Swedish Flower breed is a very old and rare breed, it was developed 500 years ago in the south of Sweden.  Swedish flower hens are good layers ( lay up to 200 eggs annually) , weighted 2-3.5 Kg.

Dog

Swedish Vallhund dog is a small, low to the ground, but sturdy dog. Swedish Vallhund dogs  is  used for herding and pasturing dog. “ Vallhund’’ which literally translate to farm dog. The breed was first recognized by the AKC in 2007. The Swedidh Vallhund is a very ancient national dog breed of Sweden is known for being alert, eager and brave dogs used to herd cows. They are suitable as a working dogs, watch dogs and companions. Swedish Vallhund dog love human attention and are very devoted to their owners. Swedish Vallhund are also known as “ the little cattle dog of the Vikings”. The height of Swedish Vallhund dog at withers is 31-33 cm, they are quite a substantial dog, with short legs. The coat colour vary from grey, grayish brown, grayish yellow, reddish brown. Swedish Vallhund dog makes a good alarm dog. Swedish Vallhund dog is an energetic, playful dog with a loving personality. The Swedish Vallhund is an alert, affectionate, devoted, energetic, happy and friendly dog. The Swedish Vallhund breed is considered as one of those generally healthy breeds. The Swedish Vallhund is a very active dog which needs daily exercise. Daily walks are essentials to keep the dog healthy both physically and mentally.

Goat

The Swedish Landrace is a milk goat breed.The Swedish Landrace goat is used for the production of milk, which is used to make types of goat cheese. The Swedish Landrace is a medium sized breed, which is robust and healthy. The colour varies from solid black to solid white. Both polled and horned animals exists. The milk production is 700 kg milk per year. The Swedish Landrace goat  are mainly reared for cheese production and therefore, both milk quality and composition are of great importance for dairyman. Cheese properties, quality and yield depend on milk composition, especially protein, casein and fat content.

Bird

The commom black bird (Turdus merula) is the national bird of Sweden. It is common in Sweden. The male is all black except for  a yellow eye-ring and bill. The adult female and juvenile have mainly brownish. The black bird breeds in woods and gardens. It is omnivorous and eats many kinds of insects, earthworms, berries and fruits. The black bird  is 24-29 cm. Long and weights 80 grams. The adult male is glossy black with blackish brown legs, a yellow eye-ring and an orange yellow bill. The adult female is sooty brown with a yellowish –brownish bill and a brownish white throat and some weak spots on the breast.

Swine (Pig)

The Swedish Landrace is the leading breed of pig in Sweden. They have heavy dropping ears and a white coat and light head. The legs are medium high and stable. The back line is long and straight. The Swedish Landrace is mainly used as mother animals in the crossbreeding work and the purpose is to improve the fertility traits and simultaneously maintain the high level on the performance traits specially the high proportion of lean meat.The average weaned piglets per litter is 9.6, litter interval  169 days, Growth from birth to 100 kg 577 gram/day (female) and 584 grams/day (males). Belly 108 mm female,and 106 mm male. The Landrace breed was developed in Denmark by crossing the native pig with the Large White . The Landrace breed improved carcass quality in early years of its introduction. The Swedish strain of Landrace originated from impartations from neighboring countries, particularly Denmark.

Sheep

The Dala Fur Sheep, Gotland sheep, Gute sheep, Roslag sheep and Rya sheep.

The Swedish Fur Sheep  is found throughout Sweden. It is kept for its pelt and meat production. The Swedish Fur Sheep were developed from Gute Selected for curl and colour beginning in 1920. The breed is primarily gray. Roslag sheep is a breed of endangered domesticated sheep that originated in  and is almost exculusively found in Sweden. Small and generally white or ivory coloured, their short tail and usually used in the production of wool and meat. The average adult weight is 35-40 kgs for ewes and 50 kg for rams.