Belgian Blue — iibso ama iibi

History of the breed: The Belgian Blue cow is a breed that impresses with its musculature and size. It appeared in the 19th century in central and upper Belgium. At the beginning of its development, the Belgian Blue was created by crossing local cattle with short-horned cattle from Great Britain. It is possible that Charolais cows were also involved in this process. Initially, the Belgian Blue was a dual-purpose breed, meaning it was used for both meat and milk production. In the 1950s, Professor Hanset at the artificial insemination center in the province of Liège began working on creating the modern meat type of the Belgian Blue. He used linear breeding to fix the characteristic gene mutation responsible for the "double musculature" of this breed. In 1978, the Belgian Blue was imported to the USA, where it quickly gained popularity among cattle breeders. After World War II, the selection of the Belgian Blue was aimed at producing animals with more developed musculature. In 1973, the breed, previously known as "Race Moyenne et Haute Belgique," was renamed "Belgian Blue." Today, Belgian Blue cows make up half of the total cattle population in Belgium. Exterior: The Belgian Blue cow stands out for its unusual musculature. It is the result of a genetic mutation of myostatin, which leads to hyperplasia of muscle fibers. The muscles are particularly noticeable on the shoulders, back, loins, and rump. Despite its impressive musculature, the Belgian Blue has a slender skeleton and thin skin. Belgian Blue bulls are true heavyweights. Their average weight is 850-1200 kg, and their height at the withers is 137-148 cm. Belgian Blue cows are also not small. Their average weight is 500-700 kg, and their height at the withers is 122-132 cm. The coloration of the Belgian Blue can vary. Individuals with white, black, and bluish-gray coats can be found. Most often, cows with bluish-gray spots on a white or black background can be seen. Three main color types are distinguished: white, blue (piebald-blue), and black (piebald-black). A rare red coloration is also encountered. The Belgian Blue is a horned breed, but there are also polled cows. Housing conditions: The Belgian Blue cow tolerates both cold winters and hot summers. This makes it quite versatile and allows it to be raised in different regions. However, a cold climate may not be very comfortable for the Belgian Blue.