Once endangered Catalan cow breed makes its comeback, exceeding 800 animals

The Albera cow, a Catalan cattle breed that was once endangered, is making a comeback. According to data provided by the department of agriculture, the cow's population has grown from 195 animals in 2012 to 822 in 2024.

Once confined to a single herd in the Albera Massif in Alt Empordà, a mountain range in northern Catalonia, the breed now exists of 23 herds across Catalonia. The cow's natural ability to clear dense vegetation makes it an important ally  in fire prevention, which is a growing concern across Mediterranean landscapes.

The Albera cow has been documented since 1868, but it wasn't until the mid-20th century that it was officially described as one of Catalonia's three native cattle breeds

"It’s a breed that has undergone few evolutionary changes and whose great added value is its hardiness," Marc Arcarons, a technician working on the breed's conservation, told the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

Now, breeders are focused on selecting the purest animals, the one closest to match the original breed standard, especially females, to maintain the breed standard. "We have to be very precise in identifying animals that represent the original type," says Arcarons.

Technology meets Albera breed preservation

The revival of this endangered breed is largely thanks to the dedicated efforts of local herders and the Albera Cow Breeders Association (ARAVA). Both, have not only helped expand the number of herds but are now introducing smart technology to improve forest management and prevent wildfires.

Technological innovation is also playing a role. To improve herd management and prevent overgrazing, ARAVA has begun equipping cows with smart collars. The devices emit a sound when cows approach a virtual fence, teaching them to stay within defined areas. This allows herders to guide grazing from a distance using satellite data.

One of the herders pioneering this approach is Miquel Bofarull, who grazes his herd between Guimerà (in the western county of Urgell) and Vallfogona de Riucorb (in the inland county of Conca de Barberà).

After a 30-year break from farming, his family returned to the trade out of concern for forest health and fire risk. "The Albera cow adapts perfectly to the local climate and is excellent at clearing underbrush," he says.

Bofarull currently has 16 cows, a bull, and several calves, some destined for meat, others selected to strengthen the herd. His cows have been wearing smart collars for about a month. "It makes the job much easier," he says. "This is the future of livestock management."

Fire prevention efforts have also gone more formal. Some herds now graze in cooperation with the regional forest agency and Catalonia's fire service, targeting areas identified as high-risk. Through the "Ramats de Foc" (Fire Herds) initiative, launched by the Pau Costa Foundation, these animals are integrated into a sustainable forest management strategy, and their products are certified with a quality label.

The collars also help with "intensive, short-term grazing" in small zones, Arcarons notes, making the technique more efficient. "Combining this new technology with native breeds is key to reducing wildfire risk."

Still, the future of the Albera cow also depends on young people’s interest in farming. In Bofarull's case, his 17-year-old niece, Núria, seems ready to take the reins. "I’ve always loved animals, I couldn’t do anything else," she says. While she admits the cows are "a bit wild," she’s grown used to working with them. "You have to love both the animals and the land," she adds.