View source for Buša

{{Short description|Breed of cattle}}
{{use British English|date=July 2022}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox cattle breed
| name          = Buša
| image         = Buša cattle - Illyrian cattle leg P.Cikovac Bijela gora - Mt Orjen Montenegro.jpg
| image_size    =
| image_alt     = 
| image_caption = Buša cow in [[Bijela gora]], [[Montenegro]]
| status        = {{ubl|[[FAO]] (2007): not at risk{{r|barb|p=136}}}}
| altname       = {{ubl|Busha|Busa}}
| country       = {{ubl|Albania|Bosnia and Herzegovina|Croatia|Kosovo|Montenegro|North Macedonia|Serbia}}
| distribution  = 
| standard      = 
| use           = 
| weight        =
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| femaleweight  = 
| height        =
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}}

The '''Buša''' or '''Busha''' is a [[list of cattle breeds|breed]] or group of breeds of small short-horned [[cattle]] distributed in [[south-eastern Europe]], principally in Albania and the countries of the former [[Yugoslavia]] – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Related breeds include the Gurgucke, Lekbibaj and [[Prespa (cattle)|Prespa]] of Albania, the [[Gacko (cattle)|Gacko]] of [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], the [[Greek Shorthorn]], the [[Metohija Red]] of Kosovo and the [[Rhodope Shorthorn]] of Bulgaria.

== History ==

The Buša is a traditional breed or group of breeds of Albania and the countries of the former [[Yugoslavia]] – Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.{{r|cabi|p=145|dad2|dad}} It forms part of a larger group of related breeds including the Gurgucke, Lekbibaj and [[Prespa (cattle)|Prespa]] of Albania,{{r|cabi|p=205|felius2|p2=715}} the [[Gacko (cattle)|Gacko]] or Gatacko of [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], the [[Greek Shorthorn]], the [[Metohija Red]] of Kosovo and the [[Rodopi (cattle)|Rodopi]] of Bulgaria.{{r|cabi|p=145|jcea}} The [[Anatolian Black (cattle)|Anatolian Black]] of Turkey is also related, but more distantly, as it has some [[zebuine]] heritage.{{r|cabi|p=145}}

From the early twentieth century to the time of the [[Second World War]], the Croatian Busa was [[cross-bred]] with bulls of the Austrian [[Montafon (cattle)|Montafon]] and [[Tyrolean Grey]] breeds.{{r|felius|p=258}}{{Clear}}

== Characteristics ==

The Busha is distributed throughout the [[Balkan Peninsula]];{{r|mdna|p=56}} names, sizes, colours and characteristics vary from country to country within that region.{{r|cabi|p=146}} In general terms, the cattle weigh some {{val|150|end=–250|u=kg}}, stand some {{val|90|end=–115|u=cm}} at the [[withers]], and are reared in mountainous areas.{{r|mdna|p=56}}

Characteristics and data for the regional variants are:{{r|cabi|p=145–146}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!      Country !!   style="width: 100pt" |  Height      !!   style="width: 100pt" |  Weight     !! style="width: 300pt" |   Coat colour       !!   style="width: 180pt" | Population   !!    style="width: 100pt" |   Conservation status     !!  style="width: 100pt" | Milk yield       
|-  
|        Albania      ||    {{ubl|bulls: {{val|130|u=cm}}|cows: {{val|95|u=cm}}}}       ||    {{ubl|bulls: {{val|220|u=kg}}|cows: {{val|170|u=kg}}}}           ||  brown, grey-brown or reddish         ||    2014: 760 cows, 67 bulls        ||   unknown{{r|dad3}}      ||    {{ubl|{{val|800|end=–1300|u=kg}}|fat: {{val|4.2|end=–5.6|u=%}}|protein: {{val|3.6|end=–4.7|u=%}}{{r|dad3}} }}            
|-
|        {{nowrap|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}      ||    cows: {{val|102|end=–112|u=cm}}       ||   cows: {{val|200|end=–300|u=kg}}          ||    unicoloured brown, grey, black or red, with dark dorsal stripe    ||      2013: 80; 70 cows            ||  unknown{{r|dad5}}        ||             {{val|1000|end=–1450|u=kg}}
|-
|        Croatia      ||   {{ubl|bulls: {{val|118|u=cm}}|cows: {{val|112|u=cm}}}}       ||    {{ubl|bulls: {{val|400|u=kg}}|cows: {{val|250|u=kg}}}}          ||   unicoloured brown, yellow-brown or dark brown; "crno-saro", black-tinged        ||   2013: 785; 385 cows, 35 bulls              ||   at risk{{r|dad4}}       ||   {{ubl|{{val|600|end=–1300|u=kg}}|fat: {{val|5|u=%}}{{r|dad4}}}} 
           
|-
|        Kosovo      ||    –       ||       –      ||       –      ||        –         ||      –      ||         –       
|-
|        Montenegro      ||    {{val|90|end=–115|u=cm}}       ||       cows: {{val|150|end=–250|u=kg}}        ||   unicoloured brown, grey, black or red, with dark dorsal stripe      ||        2013: 150         ||     at risk{{r|dad6}}        ||    {{val|700|end=–1500|u=kg}}    
|-
|        North Macedonia      ||    cows: {{val|105|end=–107|u=cm}}       ||   {{ubl|bulls: {{val|245|end=–390|u=kg}}|cows: {{val|180|end=–360|u=kg}}}}          ||   black, red, grey, brindle       ||      2013: {{val|1000|end=–2000}}           ||  unknown{{r|dad7}}            ||      {{ubl|{{val|1000|end=–1500|u=kg}}|fat: {{val|4.05|u=%}}{{r|dad7}}}}  
|-
|        Serbia      ||  {{ubl|bulls: {{val|110|u=cm}}|cows: {{val|100|u=cm}}}}          ||    {{ubl|bulls: {{val|400|u=kg}}|cows: {{val|280|u=kg}}}}      ||   black, red, grey, blue roan      ||        2013: 700         ||    at risk{{r|dad}}        ||    {{ubl|{{val|874|u=kg}}|fat: {{val|4.58|u=%}}|protein: {{val|3.45|u=%}}{{r|dad}} }}         
|-
|}

[[Y-chromosomal]] [[microsatellite]] data for the Busha shows it to be related to the [[Simmental (cattle)|Simmental]] and the cattle of Italy, and also to the [[Red Gorbatov]] and [[Yurino (cattle)|Yurino]] of Central Asia.{{r|hered|p=411}}

Until the middle of the twentieth century, the Buša was the dominant cattle breed of the inhabitants of the wider area of the Balkans, and spread south of the [[Sava (river)|Sava]] and [[Danube]] rivers, from [[Avala]] to [[Mount Olympus|Olympus]] and from the [[Rhodope Mountains|Rhodope]] to the [[Velebit]]. Buša cattle were raised together with sheep and goats in the mountainous regions in an extensive (primitive) way. There was less work and care around them than around sheep. Buša cattle were kept on pasture and in the bush, and in some regions they were kept in free grazing both in winter and summer. Cattle tolerated poor food and accommodation. They were kept in uncovered pens, and in winter in places sheltered from the wind. [[Cheese]], [[Kajmak|cream]] and [[butter]] were made from cow's and sheep's milk. Buša gives quality whole milk. The exterior and production characteristics of Buša are a reflection of the poor conditions under which cattle was raised over the centuries in hilly and mountainous regions with primitive cattle breeding.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Early weaning of calves, premature fertilization of young cows, poor nutrition and accommodation affected the morphological and physiological characteristics of Buša. Resident herders who lived in multi-member cooperative families where the division of labor was carried out according to gender and age, managed to provide the basic necessities of life with their work. The livestock breeding system (sheep, goats and cattle) meant summer grazing on mountain pastures and descent before winter to permanent settlements at lower altitudes. The main raw materials in the production of food for livestock farmers were milk and meat, i.e. making butter, cheese and [[Dried meat|dry meat]]. Buša have a solid and compact build, so they were used for work. It was used in traditional primitive cattle breeding for all three productions: work, milk and meat.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Buša heifers become sexually mature at two years of age. The calves are very small, with a birth weight of about {{val|15|u=kg}}. Fertility is between 85 and 90%. Females stay fertile until an age of twelve years. The life span of the animal is about twenty years.{{r|hpa}}

== Use ==

The cattle are used as [[ox|draught animals]], and for beef and milk production. Although their work capacity is modest, the animals are disease-resistant, well adapted to harsh climate, and require little food.{{r|hpa}} Annual milk yield varies according to region, but is generally in the range {{val|600|–|1500|u=kg}}, with a fat content between {{val|4.05|and|5.6|u=%}}.{{r|cabi|p=145–146}}

They are robust and frugal, and well adapted to [[karst]] landscapes. In the winter the cattle are housed for 2–6 months, in the remaining time they are kept in the open.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

== References ==
{{commons category|Buša cattle}}
{{reflist|45em|refs=

<ref name=barb>Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20200623201209/http://www.fao.org/3/a1250e/annexes/List%20of%20breeds%20documented%20in%20the%20Global%20Databank%20for%20Animal%20Genetic%20Resources/List_breeds.pdf List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources], annex to [https://web.archive.org/web/20170110125634/http://www.fao.org/3/a-a1250e.pdf ''The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture'']. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. {{isbn|9789251057629}}. Archived 23 June 2020.</ref>

<ref name=cabi>Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). [https://books.google.it/books?id=2UEJDAAAQBAJ&hl=en ''Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding''] (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. {{isbn|9781780647944}}.</ref>

<ref name=dad>[https://dadis-breed-datasheet-ext-ws.firebaseapp.com/?country=SRB&specie=Cattle&breed=Busha&lang=en Breed data sheet: Busha / Serbia (Cattle)]. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed July 2022.</ref>

<ref name=dad2>[https://dadis-transboundary-ext-ws.web.app/?species=Cattle&transboundary=Buša&lang=en Transboundary breed: Buša]. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed July 2022.</ref>

<ref name=dad3>[https://dadis-breed-datasheet-ext-ws.firebaseapp.com/?country=ALB&specie=Cattle&breed=Busha&lang=en Breed data sheet: Busha / Albania (Cattle)]. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2022.</ref>

<ref name=dad4>[https://dadis-breed-datasheet-ext-ws.firebaseapp.com/?country=HRV&specie=Cattle&breed=Busa&lang=en Breed data sheet: Busa / Croatia (Cattle)]. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2022.</ref>

<ref name=dad5>[https://dadis-breed-datasheet-ext-ws.firebaseapp.com/?country=BIH&specie=Cattle&breed=Busa&lang=en Breed data sheet: Busa / Bosnia and Herzegovina (Cattle)]. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2022.</ref>

<ref name=dad6>[https://dadis-breed-datasheet-ext-ws.firebaseapp.com/?country=MNE&specie=Cattle&breed=Buša&lang=en Breed data sheet: Buša / Montenegro (Cattle)]. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2022.</ref>

<ref name=dad7>[https://dadis-breed-datasheet-ext-ws.firebaseapp.com/?country=MKD&specie=Cattle&breed=Busa&lang=en Breed data sheet: Busa / North Macedonia (Cattle)]. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2022.</ref>

<ref name=felius>Marleen Felius (1995). [https://books.google.it/books?id=iXImAQAAMAAJ&hl=en ''Cattle Breeds: An Encyclopedia'']. Doetinchem, Netherlands: Misset. {{isbn|9789054390176}}.</ref>

<ref name=felius2>Marleen Felius, Marie-Louise Beerling, David S. Buchanan, Bert Theunissen, Peter A. Koolmees and Johannes A. Lenstra (2014). [http://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/6/4/705/pdf On the History of Cattle Genetic Resources]. ''Diversity'' '''6''' (4): 705–750. {{doi|10.3390/d6040705|doi-access=free}}</ref>

<ref name=hered>J. Kantanen, C.J. Edwards, D.G. Bradley, H. Viinalass, S. Thessler, Z. Ivanova, T. Kiselyova, M. Ćinkulov, R. Popov, S. Stojanović, I. Ammosov, J. Vilkki (2009). [https://www.nature.com/articles/hdy200968.pdf Maternal and paternal genealogy of Eurasian taurine cattle (''Bos taurus'')]. ''Heredity''. '''103''' (5): 404–415. {{doi|10.1038/hdy.2009.68}}. {{subscription required}}.</ref>

<ref name=hpa>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170606005826/http://www.hpa.hr/sektori/sektor-za-razvoj-stocarske-proizvodnje/odjel-za-govedarstvo/izvorne-pasmine-govedarstvo/busa/ Buša] (in Croatian). Hrvatska Poljoprivredna Agencija. Archived 6 June 2017.</ref>

<ref name=jcea>Radka Malinova, Vasil Nikolov (2015). [https://jcea.agr.hr/en/issues/article/1586 Study on the reproductive capacity of bulls of the autochthonous Rhodope Shorthorn cattle breed]. ''Journal of Central European Agriculture''. '''16''' (2): 47–53. {{doi|10.5513/jcea01/16.2.1586}}. {{ISSN|1332-9049}}.</ref>

<ref name=mdna>Peter Hristov, Daniela Sirakova, Ivan Mitkov, Nikolai Spassov, Georgi Radoslavov (2018). [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/24701394.2016.1238901?needAccess=true Balkan brachicerous cattle – the first domesticated cattle in Europe]. ''Mitochondrial DNA, Part A''. '''29''' (1): 56–61. {{doi|10.1080/24701394.2016.1238901}}. {{subscription required}}.</ref>

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Busa cattle}}
[[Category:Cattle breeds]]
[[Category:Fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
[[Category:Fauna of Croatia]]
[[Category:Fauna of Montenegro]]
[[Category:Fauna of Serbia]]