Serrana Negra
(most common name)

(local/other name):
• Negra Burgalesa
• Negra Serrana
• Serrana Ibérica
• Serrana Soriana

The Serrana Negra is an Iberian breed originally found in the province of Soria (which is in central Spain, mostly in the mountainous Sistema Ibérico area). Today, they are mostly in the province of Teruel (in Sierra de Albarracín county, the municipality of Gúdar, and part of the natural and historical mountainous region of Maestrazgo).

The Serrana Negra is used for:
• draught power (farms and forests)
• meat (considered high quality)
• milk (highly regarded butter)
• transport

Serrana Negra qualities include:
• strength
• robust hardiness
• resistance to diseases
• well adapted to the local environment (extreme continental climate with arid desert and steep terrain)
• good maternal ability

Serrana Negra have a rustic appearance with:
• a large dewlap
• a poorly developed udder with abundant hairs
• well developed, lyred-shaped (sometimes open hook-shaped) horns
• strong backs with a straight or sub-concave profile

The Serrana Negra coat is usually a unicolored black and sometimes a bleached black to dark brown. Frequently there is a light-grey muzzleband.

In 1979, due to declining numbers, Serrana Negra cattle were gathered into a conservation herd. From this herd, other herds then developed. Finally, in 2000, an independent herdbook and conservation scheme was devised.

Currently, there is a growing trade of Serrana Negra purebred heifers with the aim of increasing the population. Ternero Pastenco veal (from a crossed, 6–7 month old calf) is also a typical product.

(Spanish, noun) Ternero = calf
(Spanish, adjective) Pastenco = [beef] just weaned on the grass

This page was last updated on: 2023-05-20

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