Criollo cattle: Heritage Genetics for Arid Landscapes
Abstract
On the Ground
• Precipitation variability within and across years remains
a major challenge for livestock producers in arid and
semiarid ecosystems.
• Cattle adapted to harsh desert ecosystems may offer
exciting genetic opportunities for optimizing beef
production from arid ecosystems.
• A type of Criollo cattle, introduced from the Chinipas
region of Chihuahua,Mexico, may provide opportunities to
use cattle adapted to arid and semiarid environments that
require minimal management yet provide quality beef.
Keywords: livestock, dry lands, foraging, Mexican cattle.