Kalvene: It’s rare, cows with young or dark blue ultramarine hides can be broken in Latvian countryside among brown, black or white cattle.
Unique and strong breeds, pushed near extinction during the Soviet era, have made a comeback over the past few decades as a symbol of Latvian national identity which is not possible.
“The worst days they have ended,” said Arnis Bergmanis, Head of Ciruli Animal Park in Kalvene Village, which functions as a breeding facility for livestock.
“The blue cow is unique and extraordinary.
I’m glad we can help them develop,” he told AFP when examining the baby calf.
In 2000 there were only 18 blue cows in Latvia, but today they numbered around 1,500 traceless and hybrid.
Initially only found on the Baltic coast in the Kurzeme area, they are increasingly popular in central areas.
“We are happy to help every farmer or the owner of the new guesthouse get their own special blue cow,” said Bergmanis.
Rural innkeepers get cattle as a tourist attraction, while farmers include blue cattle tokens in their flocks because of the strong motherly instincts.
“If any calf color loses his mother or separated, the blue cow will take the calf and raise it as his own,” said Bergmanis.
– Cultural symbols – Blue cattle evolved on the beach, where they lead the Spartan lifestyle, able to live in Bush branches and feed grass Dune considered unable to be eaten by other livestock.
Legend said that they got their color from the sea, even though in reality they were born almost cream.
Their coat immediately turned blue but and became darker with years.
Pigments also affect muscle tissue, produce very dark beef, although the amount is always too low for the sale of meat on a mass scale.
When the communist came to power under the Soviet occupation, they emphasized the mass production of beef and milk.
They like more generic livestock, causing almost extinct blue cows.
But theater, from everything, happy that day.
Following the very popular 1970s played “The Blue One” by Latvian Playwright Gunars Priighe, special livestock back to public awareness, becoming a symbol of disappearing national identity.
In 2006, farmers, scientists, and fans established a blue cattle association to protect this type.
Meanwhile the government offers special subsidies for blue cow owners.
– Strong and independent – Blue cows provide less milk than your average cattle around 5,000 liters (1,300 gallons) per cow per year compared to 8,000 for Breed Holstein – but the milk is healthier and more nutritious.
They also stand out because of their ability to develop in harsh conditions, according to Daiga Simkevica, head of the blue cattle association.
“Strong blue cattle, independent and strong can live throughout the year outdoors, even during the winter frozen, which many other livestock breeds cannot stand,” he told AFP.
The Blue Cattle Association holds a seminar for farmers, keeping careful notes to avoid blood marriage, working to keep the population grow and also conduct research on livestock.
“In the future we hope to do full DNA analysis to identify genes that are unique to blue cattle,” Simkevica said.
“We never have a blue cow catching a leukosis bovine virus, therefore we hope to identify genes that might benefit all other cows too.”