Square Meater facts for kids
The Square Meater is a special type of cattle that comes from Australia. These cows were first developed in the early 1990s by a person named Rick Pisaturo near Sydney. They were created using genes from another breed called the Murray Grey. Even though Square Meaters are not very big, they have strong muscles. They do very well in competitions for beef cattle.
Square Meaters are usually silver or grey in color. They have dark hooves and dark skin. This dark skin helps protect them from sunburn and a type of eye cancer. These cattle are known for being very calm and easy to handle. They also grow up quickly and are simple to care for. This makes them a popular choice for people who have smaller farms.
What Makes Them Special?
Square Meaters are naturally polled, which means they don't have horns. They have a small body frame and short legs. Even with their smaller size, they are not considered a miniature breed.
Size and Weight
Adult male Square Meaters, called bulls, usually weigh between 700 and 800 kilograms. Adult female cows weigh from 400 to 500 kilograms. When a Square Meater calf is born, it is quite small, weighing only about 25 to 30 kilograms. Even as babies, their back ends are already well-muscled.
Temperament and Lifespan
These cattle are very quiet and easy to manage. They also tend to live for a long time. Square Meaters grow quickly and are very efficient eaters. This means you can raise more of them on the same amount of land compared to some other cattle breeds. They have won many awards at shows, both for their appearance and for the quality of their meat.
Official Standards
To be officially registered as a purebred "Class A" Square Meater, bulls have specific height requirements. At 12 months old, a bull must be between 103 and 113 centimeters tall at the shoulder. Female cows must be 107 centimeters or less at the shoulder at 12 months of age. Fully grown female cows usually weigh around 450 kilograms and are about 125 centimeters tall.
