User:Samiam1228/wikifresh1

Gascon Cattle is a breed of cow that you would seen being used in many different farms. It is chosen cause it is able to produce quality calves in hard conditions. Gascon cattle were originally from the French Pyrenees. The French Pyrenees has a harsh climate and limited sources. The gascon had to adapt to all the hardness of life in the French Pyrenees, making them a great choice to have on a farm because they can survive and and work hard in basically any condition The two different types of this breed of cattle is à muqueuses noires and aréolé, but were combined in 1955 into a single herdbook.

Characteristics
The Gascon have many characteristics that make them from different from any other breed of cow. Hardness to their fur is one. The hardness of the fur makes it so the gascon can be out in the cold more oftain then other cows. Plus it is very thick meaning it is able to sheds water well. The ease of calving is another. Unlike other cows, gascon cows are in labor for a much shorter time period. Also cows that have an easy time giving birth will settle to the bull more quickly witch would give the mother cow a longer productive life. Another characteristic of the gascon is that their calves get stronger and gain more weight faster then other types of cows. Also gascon cows don't need to eat as much as other types of cows because they gascon don't usually have much food sources making them adapt to these conditions, but still be able to maintain condition and settle in calf more quickly. Gascon cows have gray coat, but are born red getting their gray coat at about the 4th month of life. Males gascon are gray, but have black shading underneath. "Mature cows weigh 550 to 700 kg and stand 135 cm at the shoulder; bulls average 145 cm in height and 800 to 950 kg in weight."

Origin
Gascon cows originated from the southwest France, but more specifically in French Pyrenees. In this area the climate is harsh and there is not many food or water sources, making it hard to survive in if you are a animal. But the gascon and some other animals have adapted to the French Pyrenees ways.

Why Farms Choose Gascon Cattle
Gascon cows are used on many different farms because they have many qualities that make them cheep to take care of. Examples: The female cows have less time in labor making the bill from the vet much less costly. It is also more cheep since the birth of the cattle is short the mama cow settles to the bull faster making it so she can birth even more calves.