Cows are big critters. Though their size differs according to their breed, and there are miniature varieties of some breeds, the average female cow weighs 800-2,400 pounds and the average bull weighs 1,000-4,000 pounds. The height of a bovine measured to the shoulder ranges from 57-67 inches. But there are always exceptions. Let’s meet the biggest cows in the world, Blossom and Bellino, and find out which breeds of cow consistently produce the biggest cows in the world.
Key Facts
- The world’s biggest cow was a Holstein from Orangeville, Illinois. The largest bull was from Italy. Both were over 6 feet tall at the shoulder.
- Breeders create the largest cow breeds mainly for superior milk and beef production.
- In order to make such big animals more manageable, breeding efforts have also focused on developing the most docile temperaments in them possible.
- People bred some large breeds without horns, to make them less dangerous to work with.
The 2 Biggest Bovines in the World
Blossom: The World’s Biggest Cow
Blossom was the Guinness World Record holder for the biggest cow in the world. This Orangeville, Illinois cow grew to 6 feet 2.8 inches tall and weighed almost 2,500 pounds. Remarkably, she achieved this height even though she was born to two normal-sized Holstein cows. She was gentle and loving, with a special fondness for chin scratches.
Bellino: The World’s Biggest Bull
The biggest bull on record was from Italy. Bellino was a Chianina bull. He measured an incredible 6 feet, 6 inches at the shoulder, and weighed about 3,500 pounds. His owner, Massimo Donin, has five animals of this breed that he displays in agricultural shows and uses to draw carts in religious festivals and weddings. Sadly, Bellino died at age 14 after his legs began to give way under his massive weight.
What Breeds Produce the Biggest Cows in the World?
Breeding big cows is commercially advantageous to commercial cattle operations so they can turn out more milk and meat than if they relied upon regular-sized breeds. But really big cows can also be really dangerous, especially if they have a bad temperament. That’s why breeders created some of the largest breeds in the world to be large, docile, and, in some cases, to lack horns. You’ll notice these characteristics described in some of the largest cow breeds in the world described below.
Chianina
The biggest cattle breed is the Chianina, which started in Italy in ancient times. The ancient Romans wrote about these beautiful white cows with black switches (tail-tip hairs). Their coloration made them preferred animals for religious processions. They can grow to 6 feet 7 inches tall and weigh 3,500 pounds. Their babies are big, too, often weighing 110 pounds at birth.
South Devon
The United Kingdom is the source of South Devon cows. These routinely grow to 3,500 pounds but can bulk all the way up to 4,400 pounds and stand 5 feet tall. They are excellent milk and meat producers. One great advantage of this breed is that females have a super strong maternal instinct. They guard and nurture their calves carefully, resulting in healthier offspring and a higher survivability rate for them.
Maine-Anjou
French breeders developed the Maine-Anjou as a superior breed for milk and beef. This breed gains weight easily and can attain 3,100 pounds and 5.6 feet of height at maturity. Their milk is highly nutritious, and cows have good maternal instincts, though bulls can be temperamental.
Glan Cattle
Yellowish-furred glan cattle originate in Germany, where people have bred them for hundreds of years. However, other breeds replaced them and they nearly went extinct. Today they are regaining popularity and number as many as 2,000. Those who keep them typically do so for their beef. Glan cattle can weigh up to 2,650 pounds and can grow as tall as 4.75 feet.
German Angus
Like glan cattle, the German angus is a German breed developed as a beef source. It’s currently a more popular breed, with some 10,000 head in the world. They have been bred not to have horns and to have a placid temperament. Their coloration is solid, and can be red, black, or brown. They do not have as many problems giving birth as similar breeds do and their calves have a low mortality rate. In size, German angus cows can reach 2,650 pounds and 4.75 feet in height.
Montbéliarde
Ranchers have raised the Montbéliarde in France since at least the late 1800s. Their coloration is pied, splotched, red and white. They’re an extremely popular breed, with about 400,000 head in France alone. They are often cross bred with other types of cows to improve the characteristics of those breeds. Their milk is especially productive for cheesemaking. They can grow up to 4.75 feet tall and weigh up to 2,600 pounds.
Parthenais
This French breed is raised for beef, but in the past was also valued for its milk and as a draught animal. The fur of parthenaise cattle is light brown and they and they have grey around their eyes and nose. They do grow horns, and if left untrimmed these will take a lyre shape. At maturity they are 4.75 feet tall and their weight can increase to 2,600 pounds.
Limousin
The limousin may be one of the most ancient breeds of cow; it even bears a resemblance to the cows painted on prehistoric caves! It’s now the second-most popular breed in France and it also resides in 80 other countries around the world. Bulls grow to 2,870 pounds and stand 4.75 feet tall.
Bazadaise
The Bazadaise is a French breed of cow that pulled heavy loads in decades past. Today, they are raised for beef. Marbled Bazadaise beef is tender and flavorful. They are grey in color and their horns are dark at the tip and have curve in or downward. They stand 4.75 feet tall and weigh a maximum of 2,200 pounds.
Charolais
The charolais is a muscular French beef cow that is immensely popular, with over 4 million head raised in France and another 730,000 raised in countries around the world. They are often cross-bred with Angus or Hereford cows to improve desirable characteristics. Their color is white to cream. They weigh up to 3,600 pounds and stand almost 5 feet tall.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Large Breeds
Why would you want a ginormous cow? Well, if you want a lot of milk and beef, this can be the way to go. They have big calves that grow quickly and sell for high prices at livestock auctions. They are easier to handle and have a gentler disposition than some other breeds. Large, commercially popular breeds are well-studied. Their care needs, behavior, and potential medical issues are well-known and have established treatments and protocols. Of course, they eat a lot more and need more space to get their exercise and stay healthy and happy.
For someone who would like a pet or wants just to keep a cow for the needs of a family, a smaller breed is obviously the better way to go. They require less space, pasture, and feed. They produce a large quantity of meat per pound of living weight. But they can have more problems calving, especially if their calf is large, as is often the case with males.
The bottom line is, if you want to try to break the record and raise one of the biggest cows in the world, go with one of the breeds we’ve mentioned here. If you want a steady supply of milk for your cereal, a modest supply of burgers and steaks, or just a cute little lady to look at you with giant soulful eyes, then check out a standard or miniature cow breed.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © JWCohen/Shutterstock.com
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