Criollo
(most common name)

(transboundary/brand name):
• Argentine Criollo (El Salvador, Guatemala, Suriname)
• Creole (Honduras, Peru)
(local/other name):
• Criolla (El Salvador)

Criollo cattle are all over Latin America. Six countries separate them as a breed name in the DAD-IS database.

Uses:
• milk (Bolivia, Suriname)
• draught power (Bolivia)
• general crossbreeding (El Salvador)
• meat (Guatemala, Honduras, Peru)

Observed Criollo Qualities:
• Adapted to high elevation areas of greater than 4,000 meters ASL. (Bolivia)
• Adapted to heat, humidity and drought. (Bolivia)
• Rustic animals that are well adapted to the environment. (Guatemala)
• High resistance to parasites. (Suriname)
• The only cattle breed that is fully adapted to the Surinamese environment. (Suriname)
• Lower calf mortality rate than exotic cattle. (Suriname)
• Docile temperament. (Suriname)
• Ability to thrive under harsh conditions with low feed levels of low quality grass. (Suriname)

In Suriname, small farms with one or two dairy cows usually tie them alongside the road to graze for a few of hours. Then the cows are stall fed with cut grass and concentrates. Paddocks are usually not larger than 5 ha, with predominantly natural grasses (carpet grass).

1 ha (hectare) = 2.47 acres (approximately)
ASL = above sea level

This page was last updated on: 2024-05-23

You can also go to:

My Daily Cow® Bolivia and read about other Bolivian cattle breeds.

My Daily Cow® El Salvador and read about other El Salvadoran cattle breeds.

My Daily Cow® Guatemala and read about other Guatemalan cattle breeds.

My Daily Cow® Honduras and read about other Honduran cattle breeds.

My Daily Cow® Peru and read about other Peruvian cattle breeds.

My Daily Cow® Suriname and read about other Suriname cattle breeds.

The Cow Wall® A-Z Cattle Breed Picture Reference to see other breeds of cattle in the world.