Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel Steppenrind

 
Record Number: 26
 
Disclosure Date
The Hungarian Steppe Cattle (Hungarian Grey) was probably brought to the Hungarian lowland in the course of the migration of the Magyars from the East to the Hungarian lowland in the 9^th  century.
 

Photo: BM...

Title
Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel Steppenrind
(Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel Steppe Cattle)
(Hungarian Steppe Cattle, Hungarian Grey, Szilaj, Bos primigenius taurus, breed code 53 UST)
 
Abstract or claim
Reintroduction of traditional pasturing with Hungarian Grey Steppe Cattle, a domestic animal breed threatened by extinction, in the trans-border national park Lake Neusiedl-Seewinkel.
Organic beef of Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel Steppenrind is firm, short-fibred, slightly marbled, and poor in fat. It is characterized by excellent taste.
The extensive breeding of Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel Steppenrind essentially contributes to the recovery of Hutweiden (salt steppe grassland where cattle is tended) near Lake Neusiedl.
 
Name of product, Product class
Beef, meat products
 
Name of region
Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel
 
Field of search
Food and Agriculture
 
Name of information provider
Nationalpark Neusiedler See – Seewinkel
National park administration
 
Name of applicant for title
---
 
Holder of knowledge or associated resources
Nationalpark Neusiedler See – Seewinkel
National park administration
 
Grantee(s), holder(s),
assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any
---
 
Descriptors
- History:
From the 14^th  century to the 19^th  century the longhorned Grey Steppe cattle, which is considered to be the national cattle of Hungary, was the preferred breed in Hungary, which was much appreciated for its excellent meat, far beyond its geographical borders.
Herds of more than 1,000 animals were brought to the markets in Vienna or other parts of Austria, Germany, Moravia, and Italy for slaughtering. Thus, 200,000 of those cattle were brought to Vienna from 1549 to 1551, and 43,620 in the year 1650.
 
For centuries shepherds, horse herds, pig herds and, above all, cattle herds became not only important factors in the economy of the Seewinkel, but decisive factors in developing and maintaining the local habitat Hutweide (Pusta, salt steppe). Between the days named after Gregori (12^th  of March) und Michaeli (29^th  of September) the herds were traditionally driven to the meadows in the morning.
 
Until the beginning of the 20^th  century, Hungarian Steppe Cattle (oxen) were also used as working animals first and foremost on estates situated in then Hungary, but since 1921 the Austrian Federal Province of Burgenland.
 
The changes in agriculture and livestock farming resulted in an almost complete extinction of this breed. After World War II the population consisted of only 6 bulls and 187 cows.
 
Due to the enhanced mechanization in agriculture, the grazing of pastures around the Lake Neusiedl diminished. As a result, the area became gradually overgrown and a multitude of endangered species of birds and plants vanished.
 
Thanks to the efforts of the Hungarian conservation programme for endangered domestic animals the breed was saved from extinction.
 
In 1933 the Nationalpark Neusiedler See – Seewinkel was founded.
 
The re-introduction of grazing according to the requirements of organic farming constitutes an important instrument of landscape management, as it prevents the growing of reeds, oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and other shrubs and thus preserves the original steppe landscape.
Today about 500 Hungarian Greys graze again on the steppe near Lake Neusiedl, south of the villages Illmitz and Apetlon.
 
- Region:
The Nationalpark Neusiedler See – Seewinkel is situated in the northern part of the Federal Province of Burgenland.
 
The IUCN-approved (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) National Park Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel extends over an area of 300 km² from Lake Neusiedl to the Hungarian border and, together with the Hungarian Fertö-Hanság Nemzeti Park, forms a unique trans-border national park. The Austrian part of the national park encompasses around 95 km² on an altitude of about 120 m.
 
Habitat:
Hungarian Greys graze in the national park in the area around Sandeck-Neudegg, south of the villages Illmitz and Apetlon.
 
Climatic conditions:
The climate is pannonic and precipitation is low (annual average below 600 mm). The Seewinkel region is one of the warmest regions of Austria. Annual average temperature is 10°C. Summer temperatures rise to over 25°C on about 61 days. Summers are dry and hot, winters are poor in snow and fog.
Temperatures range from 40°C in summer to -20°C in winter. The vegetation period is long lasting for about 250 days.
Extreme temperatures and aridity in summer lead to higher evaporation during summer and to the formation of pannonic salt steppes.
 
Flora:
The region of Seewinkel encompasses the most western salt steppe in Europe. Different habitats result in manifold plant societies containing e.g salt cress, pannonic salt Aster, Austrian Salvia, Salicornia sp., Astragalus sp., feather grass (Stipa sp.). Grazing is necessary to maintain specific plant societies.
 
- Ungarisches Steppenrind (Hungarian Steppe Cattle):
The Hungarian Steppe Cattle is also known as Grey Hungarian, White Hungarian, Szilaj, Magyar szüurke, or Magyar alföldi. Bos primigenius taurus Breed classification 53 UST.
 
Hungarian Steppe Cattle are slender and large-boned. The bulls reach a height of 145 - 155 cm and a weight of 800 - 900 kg, the cows 135 - 140 cm and 500 - 600 kg.
 
The skin is dark, the fur’s colour ranges from silvery-white to cinereous. Calves are born with reddish-yellow fur. The fur becomes brighter at the age of 2 - 3 months and finally turns grey between 4 - 6 months’ age.
Mouth, eye-region, ears, the tips of the horns, claws and tail tuft are black. The remarkably long horns are directed upwards and are often curved lyra-like.
 
Hungarian Grey Steppe Cattle are known as robust, unpretentious, easy-calving, and long-lived. They are well adapted to extreme climatic changes like extreme heat in summer and extremely low temperatures in winter.
 
Method of production:
The management of the national park is registered as organic cattle breeder. Today about 500 Hungarian Greys graze again within the national park from beginning of May to end-October. During the rest of the year they are kept in loose housing systems.
 
Cattle are only fed off the grazing-season. Only hay and feedingstuffs produced organically on-farm are allowed.
 
Transport and Slaughter:
Only few animals of the population are slaughtered on a regular basis.
The cattle are slaughtered at 30 – 36 months having a slaughter weight of about 550 - 700 kg.
Short transports to local butchers ensure that slaughtering is as stress-free as possible.
Beef from “Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel Steppenrind” is available all year round.
 
Description of the meat:
Organic beef of Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel Steppenrind is slightly marbled, firm, short-fibred, and poor in fat.
This is typical for steppe breeds in warm climatic zones, as the fat is mainly deposited in the abdominal cavity, which allows for a better heat regulation over the entire body-surface.
 
The meat conforms R, O, P in the EUROP grading scale.
Fat cover is 1 - 2 in the EUROP grading scale. It is characterized by excellent taste.
 
Proof of origin:
Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel Steppenrind is identified by means of the official marks (ear tags) in accordance with the Austrian Animal Identification and Registration Ordinance (Tierkennzeichnungs- und Registrierungsverordnung) 2007 and is registered in a database.
The traceability of the cattle and the cattle farm at the point of sale is ensured by the VUQS-R system of “Verein zur Ursprungs- und Qualitätssicherung”. The VUQS-R symbol is a label for beef that guarantees full traceability from the animal’s birth to the meat being served.
 
Quality control:
Cattle are controlled by the Official Veterinarian, the local veterinarian and Verein zur Ursprungs- und Qualitätssicherung (VUQS), an association for ensuring origin and quality.
 
Marketing:
Beef originating from Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel Steppenrind is marketed by the national park in cooperation with a regional butcher. Beef specialities are offered by selected regional restaurants and at the restaurant “Tiroler Hof”, which is within the Viennese zoo of Schönbrunn.
 
Connection with the geographical area and Traditional Knowledge:
- Specific soil and climatic conditions in the Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel result in a native
  steppe flora which enables extensive management of Hungarian Steppe Cattle on meadows.
- Hungarian Steppe Cattle is an endangered breed typical of Carinthia which is perfectly adapted to
  the regional climatic conditions.
- Strong link with the area: Cattle are grazed on grasses and herbs and are fed with corn and hay
  produced on the farmer’s own holding.
- This type of management produces beef with specific characteristics in terms of composition and
  marbling. The meat has a very unique aroma and flavour which are directly related to the local flora.
- The breeding and production of Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel Steppenrind is the result of
  Traditional Knowledge passed down to the partners in the sector: the knowledge and experience of
  the cattle farmers (adapting the management of herds to environmental constraints, the know-how
  of the shepherds, genetic improvement), the know-how of the butchers (animal transport, experience
  in slaughtering, cutting, meat ripening) and the expertise of the Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel
  (husbandry).
 
- Utilization:
Meat of the Hungarian Steppe cattle of the national park region is a high-quality product destined for private consumers and representatives of the regional gastronomy who have already gained experience in the special preparation of this rare type of beef. The specialities range from fresh meat to “national park sausages” and “national park bacon”.
 
- Protection:
-
 
Key Words
Food and agriculture, traditional knowledge, Austria, Burgenland, region, Seewinkel, Nationalpark Neusiedler See – Seewinkel Hungarian Steppe Cattle, Grey Hungarian, Szilaj, Szilaj Magyar szüurke, Magyar alföldi, Bos primigenius taurus Rasseschlüssel 53 UST, Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel Steppenrind, Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel Steppe Cattle
 
Bibliography / References
- SIEVERS, G.W. (2007): Das Graue Steppenrind. In: Genussland Österreich – Was Küche und Keller
  zu bieten haben, Leopold Stocker Verlag, Graz, 375
- Bio-Salami aus dem Seewinkel
  http://burgenland.orf.at/stories/145529/
- Die „Ja! Natürlich Seewinkler Salami“ vom Grauen Steppenrind
  http://www.nationalparks.or.at/article/articleview/55720/1/8568
- Hungarian Grey
  http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/
- Hungarian Grey Cattle
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_Grey_Cattle
- Köstliches Fleisch vom Graurind
  http://oesterreich.orf.at/burgenland/stories/111394/
- Mangalitza &Co.: Gutes aus dem Nationalpark
  http://burgenland.orf.at/magazin/imland/mahlzeit/stories/130422/
- Nationalparks Österreich
  http://www.regionalsuche.at/umwelt___natur--pflanzen.html
- National Park Neusiedler See - Seewinkel
  http://www.tourist-net.co.at/natps_1e.htm
- National Park Neusiedler See - Seewinkel
  http://www.de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalpark_Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel
- Nationalpark Neusiedler See – Seewinkel
  http://www.nationalpark-neusiedlersee-seewinkel.at
- Nationalpark Neusiedlersee – Seewinkel Steppenrind
  www.genuss-region.at
- Neusiedlersee- Seewinkel 
  http://www.geomix.at/regionen/oesterreich/Neusiedlersee+-+Seewinkel.html  
- Pannonic salt steppes und salt marshes
  http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/management/habitats/pdf/1530_Pannonic_salt_steppes_summary.pdf - Pröll: Genießen hat Zukunft- Heimat des Nationalpark Neusiedlersee – Seewinkel Steppenrinds
  http://www.burgenland-mitte.at/content/view/905/30
- Spezialitäten vom Grauen Steppenrind aus der Nationalparkherde
  http://www.nationalparks.or.at/article/articleview/35962/1/11772
- Verein zur Ursprungs- und Qualitätssicherung
  http://www.vuqs.at/freibereich/index.asp
- Ungarisches Steppenrind
  http://www.hi-tier.de/entwicklung/Konzept/_asp/dd00009.asp?cboAnzeigeCodeset=RASSE
 
All internet references last accessed on 20 January 2009.
 
Language Code
German
 
Product of www.genuss-region.at
Yes
 
Regional contact
Viktor Reinprecht
Nationalpark Neusiedler See – Seewinkel
Nationalparkverwaltung
Phone: 0043 2175/3365-0
Fax: 0043 2175/3365-10
E-mail: v.reinprecht@nationalpark-neusiedlersee-seewinkel.at
www.nationalpark-neusiedlersee-seewinkel.at
 
Authors: Mag. Eva Sommer, Mag. Doris Reinthaler, Dr. Erhard Höbaus
  

02.11.2009, Lebensministerium III/4