Telemark

Telemark cattle, or Telemarkfe, are a historic Norwegian dairy and dual-purpose breed from the Telemark region. They are usually medium-framed, horned cattle with a color-sided pattern: red to brown sides, a white back line, white underside, and often a white face or patches. Older lines may show more variation, but the patterned coat and neat, active build are the traits most people associate with the breed. Telemark cattle helped shape Norwegian mountain farming, where cows had to graze steep summer pastures and return milk for butter and cheese rather than just high volume.

Today Telemark is managed largely as a heritage breed, with herds kept for milk, suckler calves, landscape grazing, and breed conservation. They suit small farms that value hardiness and good feet over maximum production, but they still need careful winter feeding in northern climates. Breeders usually pay close attention to maintaining pure lines because numbers are limited and outcrossing can quickly dilute the traditional type.

Colors: Belted, Black, Black and White, Blaze Faced, Blue Roan, Brindle, Brockle Faced, Brown, Brown and White, Dun, Gray, Lineback, Mottled, Red, Red and White, Red Roan, Roan, Silver, Solid Black, Solid Red, Speckled, Spotted, White, White Faced, Yellow