Ennstaler Bergscheck
The Ennstaler Bergscheck is a rare Austrian mountain cattle breed from the Enns Valley and nearby Alpine areas of Styria. Its name refers to the piebald mountain cattle pattern, and animals are typically red, brown, or black patched with white, although markings vary. Like many central European local breeds, it was shaped for mixed use: milk for the household, calves for beef, manure for fields, and enough strength and sure-footedness for steep pastures.
Modern Ennstaler Bergscheck cattle are kept mostly in small conservation herds, Alpine farming projects, and rare-breed collections. They are not selected to compete with specialized dairy or beef breeds, but they can fit low-input grass systems where hardiness, fertility, and grazing ability are useful. Because numbers are limited, breeding plans should avoid narrowing the gene pool and should document family lines where possible. Good mountain-cattle management still matters: secure fencing, winter forage, mineral access, and shelter from prolonged wet weather help preserve both animal welfare and the breed itself.
Colors: Belted, Black, Black and White, Blaze Faced, Blue Roan, Brindle, Brockle Faced, Brown, Brown and White, Dun, Gray, Grey, Highbelt, Highpark, Lineback, Mottled, Pied, Red, Red and White, Red Roan, Riggit, Roan, Silver, Solid Black, Solid Red, Solid White, Speckled, Spotted, White, White Faced, Yellow
