Marchigiana
The Marchigiana is a breed of cattle native to Italy. Originating specifically in the Marche region, the Marchigiana is a large breed kept for beef today. Prior to the 1950s, it was also bred for draft work as oxen. The Marchigiana was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by crossing native Podolian cattle with the Chianina and Romagnola breeds. Today, it still bears a close confirmational resemblance to the Chianina, though it is not as tall. Marchigiana cattle make up 45% of the beef herd in Italy and have been exported internationally to the United States and elsewhere. The cattle are fast-maturing, horned, and have a short white/grey coat. They occasionally exhibit double muscling.
| Life Span | 18-22 years |
| Weight | 450-900 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Marchigiana
Finding a responsible Marchigiana breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells cattles commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Marchigiana. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Marchigianas appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Marchigiana breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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