Belgian Blue

The Belgian cattle breed Belgian Blue ( WBB ) is mainly characterized by a strong muscle fullness.

Features

Of this breed there are heavy, so-called meat type and a Mutterkuhtyp (milk and meat); This is necessary because the dams of pure meat breed does not produce enough milk for their own calves. The animals are white, black and white or blue - white in color. Belgian Blue has a natural mutation in the gene encoding the muscle growth - inhibitory protein myostatin. The mutilated myostatin is unable to control muscle growth. Furthermore, this mutation also hinders fat deposits, resulting in an extremely lean meat. Its molded, schwerbemuskelte phenomenon is referred to as " double-muscled " - a feature on the also the Piedmontese beef has. In most cases, the cows can naturally give birth to calves and require a cesarean section. In some countries, the attitude of this breed is prohibited. Belgian Blue are successfully used in many European countries as the father of the breed in crossbreeding. 2008 accounted for more than one third of all inseminations with meat bovine semen to Germany to race WBB. The calving problems of race in their breeding area do not occur at the crossing with other breeds of cattle, provided they do not breed also has the Doppellendergen.

Origin and Distribution

Belgian Blue is a long-established local landrace. End of the 19th century, Shorthorn cattle were bred. Since 1950, especially the breeding is operated on muscle development at a fraction of the population. They are native to a number of about 1.5 million animals, especially in Belgium.