The breed probably arrived with the ninth-century Hungarian immigration from the east to the Hungarian lowlands.
In the Middle Ages and early modern times the breed was used as a draught animal but from 1861 has been bred for early maturity and its beef quality, being herded live to the markets of Europe.
Nowadays Hungarian Grey cattle are kept mainly as tourist attractions in the Hortobágy National Park and other Hungarian national parks.
Small herds may be found in a few other places, e.g. Bocfölde, Western Hungary.
These  herds serve as gene banks, due to their reported resistance to cattle diseases which affect more highly bred cattle types.
By 1975 there were only 300 cows left in two herds, but numbers have since increased.
The rebound in the cattles numbers is partially due to cryoconservation efforts put forth by the Hungarian government.
The breed probably arrived with the ninth-century Hungarian immigration from the east to the Hungarian lowlands. In the Middle Ages and early modern times the breed was used as a draught animal but from 1861 has been bred for early maturity and its beef quality, being herded live to the markets of Europe. Nowadays Hungarian Grey cattle are kept mainly as tourist attractions in the Hortobágy National Park and other Hungarian national parks. Small herds may be found in a few other places, e.g. Bocfölde, Western Hungary. These  herds serve as gene banks, due to their reported resistance to cattle diseases which affect more highly bred cattle types. By 1975 there were only 300 cows left in two herds, but numbers have since increased. The rebound in the cattles numbers is partially due to cryoconservation efforts put forth by the Hungarian government.
Hungarian Grey