Salers

Drawings of Salers (say Sa'lair) were discovered by archaeologists in cave dwellings dated some 7,000 years ago. The drawings were found near Salers, a small medieval town in the center of France. These drawings and the Salers cattle of today, which are very different from all other French breeds, bear some resemblance to the ancient Egyptian red cattle.

With such a unique background, the breed is considered to be one of the oldest and most genetically pure of all European breeds.

Salers cattle are typically horned and deep cherry red in color, however a growing number of polled and black Salers are available. Head is medium sized with triangular and rather short face. Hair is thick and often curly. Body is straight top-line, good spring of ribs, rump wide and long and well muscled without excess. The availability of polled genetics in addition to both red and black gives Salers the advantage of breeding program flexibility. Average weight for a mature cow is 1300-1600 lbs and a mature bull is 2300-2600 lbs. First imported into US in 1975.