La Reina
La Reina, often called Reina cattle, is a Nicaraguan Criollo-derived dairy breed associated with tropical Central American farming. It traces to Spanish-descended local cattle selected for milk, fertility, and survival under heat, seasonal forage, and parasite pressure rather than to intensive temperate dairy systems. Animals are usually medium-sized and red or brown, with a practical dairy frame, good walking ability, and a reputation for staying productive where imported high-yield breeds may need heavier feeding and management.
Herds using La Reina cattle commonly value regular calving, grazing efficiency, and moderate milk production for smallholder or low-input dairying. They still need shade, clean water, mineral supplementation, tick control, and sensible milking hygiene, especially in humid or dry-tropical regions. The name is not as widely standardized internationally as Holstein or Jersey, so anyone buying breeding stock should ask about herd history, milk records, and whether animals are pure Reina or crossed with other dairy breeds. Maintaining the Criollo base is important for keeping the breed's tropical usefulness.
Colors: Belted, Black, Black and White, Blaze Faced, Blue Roan, Brindle, Brockle Faced, Brown, Brown and White, Dun, Gray, Grey, Highbelt, Highpark, Lineback, Mottled, Pied, Red, Red and White, Red Roan, Riggit, Roan, Silver, Solid Black, Solid Red, Solid White, Speckled, Spotted, White, White Faced, Yellow
