Traditional Hungarian domestic animal breeds

The Directorate manages 900 hectares of protected grassland areas with grazing by Hungarian grey cattle, Racka and Cikta sheep.
By raising the offspring, it is possible to improve the genetic value of the population, and to include further grassland areas into nature conservation management. Hungarian grey cattle are used in the Drávaszentes wet meadows of the Drava region, and Hortobágy Racka sheep in the Barcs Juniper Field to maintain grassland habitats that formed during regular grazing and hay production after forests had been cut down. In order to maintain the sandy grassland in Szenes pasture at Nagydorog, grazing is performed using Cikta sheep.

Grazing with livestock prevents the encroachment of forests and shrubs and helps the natural survival of plant and animal communities found here.

At the livestock farm of Old Drava Visitor Centre in Szaporca, our directorate tries to present as many as possible of the old Hungarian domestic animal breeds and bring them closer to people. The animals are kept according to the currently accepted extensive technology, meaning that the animals spend as much time out in the fields as possible. Exceptions to this are the Mangalitsa pig and the poultry stock, which are kept in their display enclosures. Their green fodder needs are satisfied by providing them with locally cut greens.