Criollo cattle

Description

Corriente cattle are a breed of Criollo cattle descended from Spanish animals brought to the Americas as early as 1493. They are primarily used today as sport cattle for rodeo events such as team roping and bulldogging (steer wrestling). Some breeders raise them for their meat, which contains approximately half the fat of the meat from most modern beef cattle. Corrientes are fairly small cattle, with cows averaging well under 1,000 pounds (450 kg). They are lean, athletic, and have long upcurving horns. They are known as "easy keepers," as little human intervention is required in their calving, and they eat significantly less than larger beef cattle breeds. Like other Criollo breeds, the corriente require less water and can live on sparse open range. Corrientes are also known as accomplished escape artists, as they can leap a standard barbed-wire fence and squeeze through fairly small openings. Names for the breed differ. The official breed registry in the United States calls them Corriente cattle, which is the most common term in Northern Mexico. In other parts of Mexico, they are called Criollo or Chinampo cattle. They are closely related to Pineywoods and Florida Cracker cattle, two breeds from the Gulf Coast and Florida.