Maine-Anjou
(transboundary/brand name)

(most common name):
• Rouge des prés
(local/other name):
• La race Maine-Anjou
• Rouge des pres Lait
local/other name (English):
• Dairy Maine Anjou
• Maine Anjou
historical breed name (English):
• Durham-Mancelle

The Maine-Anjou is mainly found in Pays de la Loire and the rest are mostly in Lower Normandy and Poitou-Charentes.

The Maine-Anjou originated from local Mancelle cattle (a hardy dairy breed in the historic province of Maine) crossed with Durham Shorthorns — resulting in the ‘Durham-Mancelle’ which was rated as ‘one of the most valuable breeds which France possesses for food’ (US Department of Commerce, 1888a).

The name was changed to Maine-Anjou and a herdbook was established in 1908; official breed recognition was in 1925.

The Maine-Anjou declined in numbers in the 1970s as a dual-purpose cow but then reoriented itself towards a being a suckler cow.

In 2004, Maine-Anjou beef achieved PDO status, the second breed-specific beef to do so (Camargue beef was first). Also in 2004, the breed name used in France was officially changed to ‘Rouge des prés’. The transboundary/brand name ‘Maine-Anjou’ remains the same.

In the USA, a Black Maine-Anjou has been developed.

This page was last updated on: 2024-03-09

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