History
The breed of Prespa cattle originated in the eponymous Prespa region situated in close proximity to the Albanian and the North Macedonia borders. Recent genetic analysis tests indicate that the breed is related to the Vrahicheratiki breed. The relative isolation of the Prespa region increased as a result of economic and political factors that arose in the post war period and lasted until the end of the millennium. Prespa cattle emerged from obscurity at the initiative of SAVE Foundation’s CEO, Hape Grunenfelder as part of a wider programme of studying the populations of Busha cattle of the Western Balkans. In the past Prespa cattle were triple purpose animals employed in farm work, but also kept for their milk and meat. Presently they are bred for their meat.
Morphological Traits
The Prespa cattle’s external features indicate unimproved multi-purpose animals like the Vrahicheros. The body is rather long (height/length ratio) and of low stature. The bulls’ weight ranges from 230-250 kg and cows’ from 120-150 kg. Height at the withers in bulls ranges from 120-125 cm and in cows 95-105 cm.
Their Colour is always solid without sharply demarcated areas of other colours. Colours are usually variations of brown-red encompassing very light to very dark shades and rarely grey. The horns are short with black tips.
Population
The population of Prespa cattle numbers approximately 90 animals bred in the areas of Agios Achillios and Psarades. In 2006, a population of approximately 400 cattle with similar characteristics was discovered in Albania. The population of the breed is classified as ‘Critical’.