The Piedmontese cattle breed originated from the Piedmont region of Northwest Italy some 25

The Piedmontese cattle breed originated from the Piedmont region of Northwest Italy some 25,000 years ago. The actual make up of this breed is the result of the fusion and evolution over 25,000 years of the Aurochs, (bos Taurus) ancient European cattle, and the Zebu (bos Indicus) breed. In 1887 the cattleman in Italy began to recognize the true potential of the Piedmontese breed and opened the first herd book for the breed. It was in the early 1980's that the first Piedmontese cattle were imported to North America (Canada and the United States) from Italy. Since their arrival in the United States extensive testing has been performed on this breed by the USDA and numerous Universities to determine the true merits of the breed. As the result of this research, it has been determined that this breed definitely possess a genetic makeup which sets it apart from other breeds. As was stated by one of the scientist performing research on the breed, "the meat produced by all breeds of cattle is basically the same with the only difference being the hair color of the breed that produced the meat; however, when the Piedmontese meat was examined under the microscope it became apparent that this breed possesses a meat texture which sets it apart from other cattle breeds."

The Piedmontese breed possess the myostatin allele gene which allows heavy muscling to develop. Full blood Piedmontese typically have two copies of this gene. Full blood bulls with two copies of this gene which are bred to commercial non-Piedmontese cows will produce cross bred calves that will usually carry at least one copy of the myostatin gene. These one half blood Pied calves with one copy of the myostatin gene will yield about seven percent more beef with fourteen percent less fat than typical cattle. Two copies of this gene can appear in purebred and percentage Piedmontese cattle as well as the full blood (100% Pied). Purebred and percentage Piedmontese bulls which carry two copies of this gene will produce calves with higher yield and less fat just like one-half blood calves from full blood bulls.

Currently the Piedmontese breed is growing worldwide. Along with breeders in Canada and the United States, the breed is being developed in Mexico, South America, England, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. The story of this breed continues to unfold as this breed grows worldwide.