The female is first a heifer calf, growing into a heifer and becoming a cow. The Meuse Rhine Issel originates from the Netherlands and Germany. The fixed genetic mutation of this genetically modified cow breed is the increased muscle development in some areas of the body as the hips, back, and shoulders. 273 pp. They are also known as Belgian Blue-White, Belgian White Blue, Blue Belgian, and Blue as Race de la Moyenne et Haute Belgique. 14 Rabbit Myths And Misconceptions You Need To Stop Believing Now! Originating in Belgium, this breed of cattle came about when farmers successfully isolated a genetic trait that led to increased muscle fibers. in Belgium by Professor Hanset at the AI Center in the Province of Liege. Do not forget the importance of water in a farm. There are several aspects to the blue cattle, however, the most important aspect is the myostatin gene. He is visibly much bigger than the female both in terms of weight and height. Research data shows that in some herds, C-sections account for 90 % of all births! What this protein does is limit muscle production to certain levels. In humans it is encoded by the MSTN gene. The gene mutation in Blue Belgians can be seen as early as when they are born. This picture is of a breed of cow called a Belgian Blue. The Bleue du Nord type belongs to the same group and is found in the Maubeuge region in France. 2000 - 2023 - Global Ag Media. Cow Belgium Blue Best Meat To Eat - Appetite Pets Probably not! Bushwacker is currently owned by Julio Moreno of Julio Moreno Bucking Bulls. 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 1973, the breed, hitherto called race de Moyenne et Haute Belgique was renamed BELGIAN BLUE BREED divided into 2 distinct branches: the meaty type and the dual purpose type. Topic: Belgian blue. First for bulls and later for cows, a clear preference was granted to the muscular development. Belgian blue cows are used in the meat industry. That is because the gene mutation maintained throughout this animals selective breeding changes its physiological muscle fiber growth from hypertrophy to hyperplasia mode. A gene encoding myo Show more. In its natural setting in the presence of other cattle, bulls show less aggression. Drinking water: 30 minutes. The Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R) gene (also called Extension) controls the production of black and red pigments in the coats of domestic cattle, creating base colors that may then be further modified by other genes. They cannot give birth to calves naturally because they have a narrower birth canal. Since its mutated into the Belgian Blue, these animals muscles keep growing at an accelerated pace, giving them their massive size and muscular look. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights? READ MORE, Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind. 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. 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. All you have to do is see one, and youll immediately know that its a Belgian Blue. 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'. In Germany it comes from the regions of Westfalia, Rhineland and Schleswig Holstein, and is known there as the Rotbunt. The Belgian Blue (French: 'Blanc-Bleu Belge', Dutch: 'Belgisch Witblauw', both literally meaning "Belgian White-Blue") is a breed of beef cattle from Belgium. The remaining 2.5-3.5 hours are used for herd management activities (like check-ups from a veterinarian) or their daily milking routine. As a result, Belgian Blue cows are very muscular. This trend was firmly maintained until 1950. What is the price of a Belgian Blue bull? Text STOP to end, HELP for more info. As massive as they are, the Belgian Blue cattle dont have that many health complications. The modern beef breed was developed in the 1950s by Professor Hanset, working at an artificial insemination centre in Lige Province. Sri Lanka Cancels Plan to Export 100,000 Monkeys to China, 5 of the Top Animal Exploiters PETA Has Shut Down, Theres No Such Thing as an Overbred DogHeres Why, VIDEO: Heres Why the Cost of Dairy Is Too Much, PETAs Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities of 2023: The Hope for the New Generation. Both of these breeds have an increased ability to convert feed into lean muscle, which causes these particular breeds meat to have a reduced fat content. Belgian Blue cattle As mentioned, the Belgian Blue is a cow like no other. In conclusion, raising Belgium Blue cattle can be a profitable and enjoyable experience for any farmer. The female counterpart to a bull is a cow, while a male of the species that has been castrated is a steer, ox, or bullock, although in North America, this last term refers to a young bull, and in Australia to an draught animal. Cow may refer to any female of any age but is usually used for female cows who have already produced calves. While double muscling is natural, the way the mutation has been perpetuated is not. [5] The Belgian Blue's extremely lean, hyper-sculpted, ultra-muscular physique is termed "double-muscling". Belgian Blue - Wikipedia The Belgian Blue is another cattle that can lack myostatin and have double muscles. To delighful and sometimes slightly terrifying effect. Greg Schweizer from Corona, California. N.J. Mason, I.L. 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. tenderness and flavor on the sensory panel. These cattle have a muscle yield around 20% more on average than cattle without the genetic myostatin mutation. The observation explains the growing interest for the Belgian Blue breed as a terminal As the name suggests, the Belgian Blue Cattle originated in Belgium. Belgian Blue: The Monster Cow - Owlcation But on todaysfactory dairy farms, cows are forcefully impregnated over and over again so that theyll produce a steady supply of milk. The tender and flavorful flesh of the Cow Belgium Blue is well-known. Chickens, Livestock, Homesteading & Gardening | Rural Living. 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. Edition. 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 cows have on average up to 20% more muscles than beef cattle. [citation needed] However, the carcass value of double-muscled animals may be enhanced due to increased dressing yield, lean carcass content, and upgrading of some cuts leading to a higher proportion of higher valued cuts. This mutation also interferes with fat deposition, resulting in very lean meat. Why was the Belgian Blue cow created? 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. It is due to a mutation in the myostatin (MSTN) gene, which encodes the growth-regulating factor myostatin. The constant development of the muscle mass of the Belgian blue cow occurs due to a genetic mutation, in connection with a disruption in the production of myostatin - a protein responsible for the timely arrest of muscle growth. Weight and height of animals recorded averages: European comparisons between the Belgian Blue and Charolais found the Belgian Blue 4. Valerie Porter (ed. for nearly half of the cattle in the national herd. Underdevelopment of female reproductive tract. were also older at sexual maturity. U.S. only. 25.2 Problems associated with double muscling. Why is the dutch belted cow a rare breed - Rainbow Run Farm If mating does not give results, you can try artificial insemination. The Belgian Blue cow is a controversial animal due to its eccentric history marked by genetic modification and physical appearance. These animals of dairy type produce on average from 5400 to 6000 liters of milk. The economics of breeding and raising Belgian Blue cattle are inconclusive because of complications experienced during parturition and metabolic demand for more concentrated feeds. stated that delivery in Belgian Blue cows is often by caesarean. Belgian Blue Cattle Breed - Everything You Need to Know While they have blue in the name, the Belgian Blue Cattle doesnt always have a blue appearance. If youre specifically looking to raise your cattle for meat, one breed that you need to check out is the Belgian Blue Cattle. These are crossbred, double-muscled cattle that first came into existence in the 1950s. Are Cows Going Into Slaughter Killed By A Gun? Here are some facts and important information about the Belgian Blue cattle that might interest you. The meat of the Belgian Blue cow is very healthy due to its low-fat content. Thanks to veterinary science, the Belgian Blue breed of cattle is an extremely large animal with a well-rounded outline and extremely prominent muscles. The farmers crossed the local breeds with the English breed of cattle called Shorthorn and with the French breed of cattle called Charolais. This process of accelerating muscle growth is called hyperplasia. Do Ferrets Need Vaccination Shots? Belgian Blue breeders wanted to develop a cow breed with increased muscle fibers. Find out more about the breed and the factors that contribute to the Professor Hanset genetically modified the gene called myostatin, which generally has the function of inhibiting muscle growth. Learn more. The major issues with this breed are Dystocia-related. In many cases, the vet must perform a cesarean section as the cow will have a difficult laboring process. Of these, ten report population data; in 2022 the worldwide population was estimated to be 107875. But as another perk for rearing them for meat consumption, the Belgian Blue Cattle has a lower feed conversion ratio than many other cattle. cattle were crossed with Shorthorn cattle imported from England from 1850 through a dairy cow that produces a very high milk yield as a result of selective breeding or genetic modification. Because bulls are herd animals and naturally social, the isolation they face prior to an even can also contribute to their aggression. The Belgian Blue herd is spread all over Belgium. In the late Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. With the right management, these cattle can help a farm or homestead generate a healthy profit. The doctor maintained the gene mutation that has become synonymous with Belgian Blue cattle. Pregnancies are very difficult, and the animals almost always require C-sections to deliver their babies. while the females weigh around 2,000 lbs. Belgian Blue Cattle ~ Everything You Need to Know How Are Sheep Brains And Human Brains Similar? In addition, newborns have higher than average (compared to other breeds) dimensions, which of course makes birth even more difficult. Belgian Blue Cow - YouTube What is the most muscular cow? Thank you. All About Belgian Blues This breed of cattle, which originated in Belgium, was selectively bred over a period of 150 years after farmers were able to identify a genetic trait that resulted in more muscle fibers. And no, it is not genetically modified. Macroglossia (enlarged tongue) which makes it difficult for the calf to nurse. Alternative names for this breed include Belgian Blue-White; Belgian White and Blue Pied; Belgian White Blue; Blue; and Blue Belgian. 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. Contrary to what you are probably thinking, this cow is all-natural. Some sources About 75% of pure breed Belgian Blues have their first calves between the ages of 28 and 35 months. The disease cannot be prevented because it develops during the second stage of pregnancy when the fetus does not have enough space to move due to its larger size. Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types. Only one media article states that Belgian Blue is genetically modified, while 13% mention that the breed has a genetic defect, and almost all of the articles are very negative to the breed. Now the term tends to be applied to cows that have been genetically altered or whose genome has been studied in order to improve breeding. This means if youre raising them, youre likely raising them for slaughter to maximize your profit margin. Msg/data rates may apply. Belgian Blue cows do not develop well in cold environments. American cows, by comparison, are slaughtered at 15-22 months. Females have a prominent maternal instinct. Another factor to consider is the short gestation period and the rate of conception, which is very high in pure-bred Belgian cows. 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. Local red-pied and black-pied However their selection is also based on the milk production and the easy-calving. Selective breeding that took place over a period of 150 years gave birth to Blue Whites, or Blue Belgians, as they are often called. As the name implies, Belgian Blue cattle originated in central and upper Belgium. Answer: The benefit breeders get out of cows with greater muscle mass is that they can get almost 40% more edible meat from them. Calving interval and calf mortality was approximately Belgian Blue were expressed in the crossbreds whose commercial value was then substantially The breed's increased need to have Caesarean sections when calving means increased cost and added work, and can become a welfare issue. 2. I am sure the scientists there were quite impressed! The Belgian Blue is a large sized animal with rounded outline and prominent muscles. Belgian blue cows are muscular due to the genetic modification that they underwent in the 1950s. From them came the model of the breed. Belgian Blue cows have on average up to 20% more muscles than beef cattle. 75% - Purebred BB's must have cesarean birth. When used in crossbreeding programs of other dairy or beef breeds, it increases carcass yield from 5 to 7% compared to the maternal line. How much is a Belgian Blue Cow? The name of this breed is Belgian Blue and as suggested by its name, it originates in Belgium. Origin of the breed Belgian Blue cattle originated in Belgium as the product of crossbreeding between local cattle and cattle imported from England in the late 1800s. Normande Cattle Breed: Pictures, Facts, Uses, Origins & Characteristics. Not surprisingly, the breed is also known as the "Super" or "Monster" cow. Each cow must have its own space. This scientific breakthrough made it easier for dairy herd managers to breed their cows to bulls that lived far away. [6] The slower rate of fat deposition causes slaughtering to be delayed in most cases, which means an increase in maintenance costs in those animals. Belgian Blue calves are also more prone than other cattle to laryngitis and bronchopneumonia and are at risk of dying shortly after birth. 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. Probably not! Featured Image Credit: Clara Bastian, Shutterstock. Except for grass, they can be fed with hay, silage, straw, beets, bran, and various vegetables. 1890. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Why was the Belgian Blue cow created? To enhance the desirable characteristic of muscle mass in their beef cattle, the cattle farmers, for about a century, have picked only the cows with the most muscle mass, and have allowed them to mate, over and over. [7] Myostatin is a protein that inhibits muscle development. Belgian Blue cows have some health problems characteristic of their breed. Research shows the average dairy cow spends her time: Lying down or resting: 12-14 hours. These cattle are known for their high-quality meat and milk, and they are also relatively easy to care for. What is the origin of a Belgian Blue? - Digglicious.com List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, Breed data sheet: Blanc-Bleu Belge / Belgium (Cattle), "Mutations in myostatin (GDF8) in double-muscled belgian blue and piedmontese cattle", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Belgian_Blue&oldid=1159412558, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from July 2015, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 10 June 2023, at 04:59. This is a massive cow that stands out wherever it goes. Now retired, he is used for natural breeding and may have as many as 20 cows with him in the spring. Are Belgian Blue cattle genetically modified? - ProfoundAdvice What is the weight of a Belgian Blue bull? PETA Leads the Charge: Inside the Global Effort to Take Down Exotic Skins, Huge Victory for Monkeys!
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