Through selective breeding, the Belgian Blue was divided into two distinct animals: Today, most breeds available are beef cattle bred for their prolific meat production. The modern beef breed was developed in the 1950s by Professor Hanset, working at an artificial insemination centre in Lige Province. 1890. According to a 3 year study conducted by the USDA Meat Animal Research Center, The Clay Center and Nebraska, Belgian Blues meat has the same tenderness and flavor as the Hereford-Angus average, but with less shearing, implying a more tender piece of meat. The breed is perfectly suited to a great diversity of soils and climates encountered in its international expansion. As the name implies, Belgian Blue cattle originated in central and upper Belgium. Like many other cattle, Belgian Blue cows need certain conditions to live healthily and reproduce. Pet Keen is reader-supported. [2] It may also be known as the Race de la Moyenne et Haute Belgique, [4] : 95 or dikbil (literally "fat buttocks" in Dutch). Jun 21, 2022 7:01 PM EDT Belgian Blue The Super Cow Ever wondered what the bovine version of Arnold Schwarzenegger would look like? So how is Belgian Blue meat different than other beef? It was only in 1919 that an Agricultural Charter was developed in the form of a Royal Decree which paved the way for further breed development. 75% - Purebred BB's must have cesarean birth. PDF Welfare and Belgian Blue Cattle - A Greener World The super cow was first introduced in the U.S in 1978, by Nick Tutt, an immigrant farmer from central Canada who came to Texas. The color can be white, blue roan or sometimes black. As the name implies, Belgian Blue cattle originated in central and upper Belgium. This mutation also interferes with fat deposition, resulting in very lean meat. Wagyu cows live for about 30 months, sometimes 35. In 1938 a group of dairy farmers organized into a cooperative to manage the selective breeding of dairy cows by artificial insemination. Belgian Blue Cattle Characteristics, Origin, Uses - ROY'S FARM While the calves are heavier than most cow breed calves at birth, they arent born with the kind of extreme muscles you can see in adult cows. they exist today are the result of selective genetic breeding and development conducted Theyre called Belgian blue bulls, and the reason they look so bulky is because of a naturally occurring mutation called double muscling, which occurs when the animals lack a certain protein that regulates muscle growth. Some sources also cite the introduction of Charolais breeding throughout the Alternative names for this breed include Belgian Blue-White; Belgian White and Blue Pied; Belgian White Blue; Blue; and Blue Belgian. They have difficulty giving birth naturally. Belgian Blue Beef is famous for its impressive muscling which is commonly referred to as "double muscling." Belgian Blue Beef outclasses all other beef breed in carcass yield (up to 80%). This breed of cows is called the Belgian blue. Myostatin is found almost exclusively in muscles used for movement (skeletal muscles), where it is active both before and after birth. The breed is under continuous development and improvement. the Belgian Blue cow has a small percentage of body fat. How was the Belgian Blue created? - vetnewsnow.com The development of the modern version began in the 1950s, by Professor Hanset, who worked at an artificial insemination center in Liege province of Belgium. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","a18edc45b0000adda288dcc6ace933f7");document.getElementById("e3ea03f2c8").setAttribute("id","comment"); 2023 Farmer's DataBase - A Guide For Farmers, Ranchers, and Enthusiasts / Social Media : Twitter - Newsletter / Address: Via Francesco Giannotti 10, 01017 Tuscania VT, Italy / Telephone: +39 351 564 3821, info@farmerdb.com. The Belgian Blue cows history begins in the 19th century when in the center and in the upper part of Belgium, farmers began to develop a special breed of cows. The shoulder, back, loin and rump are heavily muscled. But locally tourists refer to the beasts in the park as beefalo even though they look and lean more towards bison in appearance and genetics. This natural mutation inhibits the expression of a protein called myostatin. Origin & History The Belgian Blue cow's history begins in the 19th century when in the center and in the upper part of Belgium, farmers began to develop a special breed of cows. The Holstein was picked as Grand Champion at the World Dairy Expo in 2008 and 2009. A consequence of the selection process in this breed is the increase in the level of inbreeding, as illustrated by several recent outbreaks of genetic recessive defects [5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. Within the dual purpose type, 2 variants are identified according to the genotype: These animals are genetically identical to the meaty type ones. Belgian Blue Cattle: Facts, Uses, Origins & Characteristics (With Why was the Belgian Blue cow created? Another common problem is that individuals sometimes have abnormally enlarged tongues. Thanks to a genetic mutation in its myostatin gene (myo for muscle and statin for stop), Belgian Blue animals are double-muscled cattle. This mutation causes extreme over-development of muscle in the cattle, which provides great benefits to producers and consumers, but causes harm to the animals. rapidly gaining acceptance with beef breeders and dairymen. Greg Schweizer from Corona, California. So they isolated the genetic trait that could lead to this in a number of cow breeds: Even though the shorthorn cattle were imported from England and the red-pied was a local breed, within a very short period of time, the Belgian Blue was the predominant breed in Belgium as it accounted for about half of all the cows in the country. In the fall of 2009, Missy the Ponoka cow, sold for $1.2 million at an auction in Toronto. Since its mutated into the Belgian Blue, these animals muscles keep growing at an accelerated pace, giving them their massive size and muscular look. . To ensure the necessary vitamins and minerals for good development, you can add various food additives such as bone meal or tricalcium to their food. It is a prime (and scary!) A Belgian Blue bull can reach a weight of 2,645-2,866 lbs (1,200-1,300 kg) and a height of 4,85 ft (148 cm), while females can weigh up to 1,643-1,763 lbs(750-800 kg) and reach a height of 4,33 ft (132 cm). Some sources And not only that. Belgium Blue cattle are characterized by this extreme muscling, known as "double-muscling," the result of a mutation in a myostatin gene that prevents control of muscular growth. equal and Belgian Blue performed lower in calving ease and calving rate. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Cows and bulls are sensitive animals and cows mourn the loss of their babies, whether theyre Belgian blues or regular-sized bovines. Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). [8]:256 Belgian Blue cattle were first used as a dairy and beef breed. for beef. However, manipulating animals to yield bigger profits is nothing new for the meat and dairy industries, and its not just Belgian blues who suffer. A new type of breed appeared, combining significant muscle development (shoulders, withers, back, loin, and hind quarters), size, fine but solid bone structure, harmonious contours with round ribs, inclined rump, hidden hips and detached tail. The highly developed musculature comes from the mutation suffered in 1978. Are Belgian Blue Cattle Good for Small-Scale Farming? The shoulder, back, loin and rump are heavily muscled. answered: the 'Belgian Blue monster bull'.3 Other 'images' of gene technology were also found in the study, such as 'human monsters', 'eugenics', 'progress' and 'tampering with nature'. This trend was firmly maintained until 1950. Some weaned others still on milk just depends on what you want, Our calves ranges from $360 to $2000 each depending on what you want. [9], The Belgian Blue has a natural mutation in the myostatin gene which codes for the protein, myostatin ("myo" meaning muscle and "statin" meaning stop). Belgian Blue: The Monster Cow - Owlcation stated that delivery in Belgian Blue cows is often by caesarean. Charolais cattle possibly were cross-bred, as well. The breed was developed by cross-breeding local Belgian breeds with Shorthorn cattle and possibly Charolais cattle. These animals of dairy type produce on average from 5400 to 6000 liters of milk. Double muscling is due to a mutation of the myostatin gene. A second problem that affects the reproduction of the Belgian Blue breed is present in the male. Apart from that, the other major issues are that the calves can sometimes be born with enlarged tongues, which can give them some feeding issues. Cows must have access to plenty of fresh and clean water. But there is, in fact, a cattle breed that looks like a bovine bodybuilder on steroids. Nilgai - Wikipedia Now, let's examine this man-made monstrosity in more detail. [6], Belgian Blue cattle have improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) due to lower feed intake compared to weight gain[6] due to an altered composition of body weight gain which includes increased protein and decreased fat deposition. Belgian Blue Beef cattle (BBB) represent a good example of an intensively selected cattle population. Theyre outstanding meat producers, though that doesnt mean theyre the perfect cattle choice for you. Their milk production varies between 4200 and 4800 liters. Belgian Judge : National Related Read:10 Biggest Cow Myths and Misconceptions: Its Time To Stop Believing These! Selective breeding that took place over a period of 150 years gave birth to Blue Whites, or Blue Belgians, as they are often called. The breed was developed in the 18th century by selective breeding. In the four years that we have used the American Blue bulls, we have found our half-blood calves gain on average 3+ pounds per day on good milking cows and this can increase with higher protein feed before and after weaning. [2] It may also be known as the Race de la Moyenne et Haute Belgique,[4]:95 or dikbil (literally "fat buttocks" in Dutch). The name of this breed is Belgian Blue and as suggested by its name, it originates in Belgium. Freemartin Cow may refer to any female of any age but is usually used for female cows who have already produced calves. Currently, the Belgian Blue cow is presented in 24 countries from Europe, America, Africa, and Oceania. Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured). A Belgian Blue calf is twice as heavy as a normal calf at birth. The years from 1950 to 1960 were a period of transition, during which the early signs of a new orientation became clearly visible. The nilgai stands 1-1.5 m (3.3-4.9 ft) at the shoulder; males weigh 109-288 kg (240-635 lb), and the . However, after the genetic modification, the myostatin gene no longer functioned at the normal capacity in Belgian blue cows and muscle growth could no longer be stopped by myostatin. The Myostatin protein is responsible for muscle development, and when its working properly, the animals muscles have a growth limit. You can find Belgian Blue Cattle throughout Europe, but theyre also prevalent in some Canadian and North American farms. (not so) fun fact: A lot of employment agencies get job openings with the added code BBB, meaning "blanc, bleu, belge" (white Belgian blue), meaning the opening only exists for native Belgians. Weak bones, often leading to bone damage of the hooks. Fourth During the second half of the 19th Century Shorthorn bulls were exported from the UK to Belgium to improve the native population which was primarily of the dairy type (red-pied and black-pied cattle). It has extremely fine skin, and its back is quite straight. The meat of Belgian Blue cows is lean and with low-fat content, perfect for some diets. A blue cow from Belgium has average milk production. In fact, they are considered the superheroes of cows. Results of studies conducted in Belgium show that the carcass characteristics of the While double muscling is natural, the way the mutation has been perpetuated is not. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Belgian Blue cow is an excellent breed in terms of docile temperament, productivity, and the quantity and quality of meat obtained. However, this type of hybrid cattle also has a few struggles with traditional rearing, so keep in mind if youre breeding them that a C-section might be necessary. increased. Belgian Blue breeders wanted to develop a cow breed with increased muscle fibers. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. The bulls typically weigh between 2,400 and 2,700 lbs. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). The breed was only recently formally established with the founding of the Belgian Blue herd book in 1973. Belgian Blue cattle were first used as a dairy and beef breed. This particular type of growth is seen early in the fetus of a pregnant dam, which results in a calf that is born with two times the number of muscle fibres at birth than a calf with no myostatin gene mutation. Probably not! The Belgian Blue bulls price can start around $360 and go up to $2,000. In its natural setting in the presence of other cattle, bulls show less aggression. In order to develop harmoniously, Belgian Blue cows need a clean environment, good food, fresh water, deworming, and regular checks by a veterinarian. 61 % of the Belgian Blue livestock is in the Walloon region and 39% in the Flemish part of Belgium. While it might look like an extremely built security officer, the Belgian Blue bull and cow have a rather docile temperament, making them quite easy to raise. During the second half of the 19th Century Shorthorn bulls were exported from the UK to Belgium to improve the native population which was primarily of the dairy type (red-pied and black-pied cattle). [8]:256 Charolais cattle possibly were cross-bred, as well. Their genetics make it impossible for them to create a hybrid offspring. How Do Cats Show Affection? These diseases are present both in adult cows and in calves. Their heavy and muscled stature is the result of a random genetic mutation that appeared about 200 years ago. Belgian Blue is a breed of beef cattle from Belgium. Belgian Blue Cow - All You Need To Know About This Breed As A Farmer A gene encoding myo Show more. Muscle hypertrophy arises from an increased total number of fibers. can walk easy. for nearly half of the cattle in the national herd. Belgian Blue cows can also be crossed with other breeds, so it easy to obtain crossbred calves. The Belgian Blue cattle have a wide range of colors, including white, black, and blue roan. The Belgian Blue's extremely lean, hyper-sculpted, ultra-muscular physique is termed, "double-muscling". In the Netherlands, it was developed in the region of the three rivers from which it gets its name. The modern beef breed was developed in the 1950s by Professor Hanset, working at an artificial insemination centre in Lige Province. Contrary to what you are probably thinking, this cow is all-natural. But there is, in fact, a cattle breed that looks like a bovine bodybuilder on steroids. Rose, of Montmagny, near Quebec City, is the only cow in history to ever be named Grand Champion twice. The Belgian Blue animals The remaining 2.5-3.5 hours are used for herd management activities (like check-ups from a veterinarian) or their daily milking routine. 5. However, everything was called into question when the First World War broke out. Belgian Blue bull Cow with the scars from caesarean sections The Belgian Blue ( French: 'Blanc-Bleu Belge', Dutch: 'Belgisch Witblauw', both literally meaning "Belgian White-Blue") is a breed of beef cattle from Belgium. A Quebec Holstein billed as the worlds most beautiful cow is appearing at a farm exposition in St-Hyacinthe, southeast of Montreal. The Belgian Blue was once divided into two strains, one for beef and the other for milk. They are also known as Belgian Blue-White, Belgian White Blue, Blue Belgian, and Blue as Race de la Moyenne et Haute Belgique. Compounding the issue is that Belgian Blue Cattle can be difficult to milk, so if youre looking for a dairy cow, there are better options out there. This seems to imply that the The Myostatin protein is responsible for muscle development, and when it's working properly, the animal's muscles have a growth limit. Thats why we developed this comprehensive guide: to walk you through everything that you need to know about these massive animals. How was the Belgian Blue cow created? These are crossbred, double-muscled cattle that first came into existence in the 1950s. However, the Belgian Blue was not mentioned in any other European country. The economics of breeding and raising Belgian Blue cattle are inconclusive because of complications experienced during parturition and metabolic demand for more concentrated feeds. This accomplishment was made possible by the repeated breeding of the animal until the characteristic genetic mutation was fixed in the Belgian Blue breed as its property. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. In the terminology used to describe the sex and age of cattle, the male is first a bull calf and if left intact becomes a bull; if castrated he becomes a steer and in about two or three years grows to an ox. Use the search! Some of these gene effects are known to negatively impact the welfare of cattle. Dual purpose BB Myostatin is a protein responsible for inhibiting muscle development. two of his grandsons Ganache and Vaiseur. Age at slaughter typically can be from 12 to 22 months of age for the high quality grade market. The Belgian Blues sculpted, heavily muscled appearance is known as double-muscling. The increased profit linked to well muscled cattle pushes the breeders to mate the meatiest animals to each other. They cannot give birth to calves naturally because they have a narrower birth canal. One has to go back to the beginning of the past century to see the first selection attempts to breed a dual purpose animal from fairly uniform local cattle and the very popular Sorthorns widely used in the second part of the 19th century. Clay Center, Nebraska, the Belgian Blue crossbred cattle were tested with the industry How is the pop As the name suggests, Belgian Blue cattle originate from Belgium. The Ethics of Belgian Blue Double Muscling - HubPages When was the Belgian Blue domesticated? | Sturdy Barn What is the most beautiful cow in the world? Pre-emergent vs. Post-emergent Herbicides, Feed rate in the dry period of a pregnant cow in the winter, Feed rate in the dry period of a pregnant cow in the summer. This may look like something straight out of a film made with CGI, but these cattle are 100 percent realand the reason they look like this is actually really sad: This belgian blue cow has different GDF-8 DNA.which produces Myostatin, therefore it has more muscle mass pic.twitter.com/mMWMhsdruq, Exploration Club (@SSEC_Sutomo1) June 15, 2013. Furthermore, due to their massive body, Belgian Blue cows have limb problems, especially with joints that tend to become stiff, causing difficulty in lifting. As with any other cattle, to obtain a high percentage of fecundity, it is very important to mount or inseminate the cows at the optimal time, which is 16-18 hours after the onset of heat. The quantity and quality of food ingested by Belgian Blue cows are of particular importance because it determines the production of meat that you will get in the end. Belgian Blue cows have a calm temperament and are very quiet. The doctor maintained the gene mutation that has become synonymous with Belgian Blue cattle. This muscle development usually occurs along these animals' shoulders, backs, loins and rump areas. It is due to a mutation in the myostatin (MSTN) gene, which encodes the growth-regulating factor myostatin. This protein normally restrains muscle growth, ensuring that muscles do not grow too large. In the table below, you can check out some quick nutritional facts about their meat and how it compares to two other popular meat options, normal beef, and chicken breast. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! Salt can also be offered, but it must not exceed 0.15 lbs (70 grams) per day. Search our database of over 14573 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. Origin and evolution - Herd Book Blanc Bleu Belge However, the modern version of the breed comes in all kinds of colors, including white, blue roan, black and of course a combination of any of these. The shelter can be made of any material, both concrete, and wood. [8]:256[10]:110[11], In bulls, testicular weight and semen quantity and quality are lower than in other cattle, perhaps because of the greater amount of connective tissue in the testicles. Various health problems, the most frequent being the problem of swelling of the legs or stiff joints. Not surprisingly, the breed is also known as the "Super" or "Monster" cow. Do not forget the importance of water in a farm. The breed originated in central and upper Belgium in the 19th century, from crossing local breeds with a Shorthorn breed of cattle from the United Kingdom. As the name suggests, the Belgian Blue Cattle originated in Belgium. Another disease specific to calves is the so-called prognathism, which also affects their feeding. And no, it is not genetically modified. Milk Production Why Should I Raise Belgian Blue Cattle On My Farm? The Belgian Blue breed represents 50% of the national herd, which is made up of 1.083.408 cows. Belgian blue cow: photo, description, characteristics A wild, young, unmarked bull is known as a micky in Australia. The Meuse Rhine Issel originates from the Netherlands and Germany. 14 Rabbit Myths And Misconceptions You Need To Stop Believing Now! Belgian Blue Cow - YouTube Also known as Race de la Moyenne et Haute Belgique, Belgian Blue-White, Belgian White, and Belgian White Blue, this cow breed is defined by its massive and muscular body. In many cases, the vet must perform a cesarean section as the cow will have a difficult laboring process. The Belgian Blue was migrated to the U.S. by a Canadian farmer named Nick Tutt, who showcased the muscular animal to local universities. This picture is of a breed of cow called a Belgian Blue. The double muscle gene is recessive. If youre looking to bring a Belgian Blue Cattle onto your small-scale farm, there are two things that you need to be aware of. Less myostatin means more muscle!
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