Menorquina cattle

Menorquina
Menorquina cow
Conservation statusFAO (2007): endangered-maintained:106
Other names
  • Maonesa
  • Vermella:104
Country of originSpain
DistributionMenorca, Balearic Islands
StandardConselleria d’Agricultura i Pesca (in Catalan)
Usedairy
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    700–800 kg:105
  • Female:
    400–450 kg:105
Coatred
Horn statushornless
  • Cattle
  • Bos (primigenius) taurus

The Menorquina is an endangered breed of cattle from the Mediterranean island of Menorca, in the Spanish autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. It belongs to the group of convex-profiled red cattle, whose distribution across the northern Mediterranean region is thought to have followed the path of the Bell-Beaker Culture. It is one of only two autochthonous Spanish breeds of dairy cattle, the other being the Pasiega. The milk is particularly suitable for cheese production, and is used to make Mahón cheese, which has DOP status.