Latvian blue cow: description and characteristics of the breed, content

In the peasant farms of the B altics, sometimes you can see a rare phenomenon. Unique cows graze on the fields - Latvian blue. Animals got their name due to the unusual grayish-blue shade of the skin. The world's oldest breed is in danger of extinction. Today, there are no more than a hundred copies of the once popular species.

Description and characteristics of the Latvian blue

The first official records of an unusual animal date back to the beginning of the last century. The Latvian Blue is native to the B altic coast and is now found in Kurzeme farmers.Locals believe that the blue cow appeared from the water surface. The herd of the ancient goddess of the sea rose to land when the moon appeared in the sky. One animal got lost and ended up in the village with the fishermen. He is considered the progenitor of the terrestrial species.

The breed has a meat and dairy direction. Weight gain is fast, but milk production is a priority. The fat content of the drink is 4.5%. But at least 7 animals are known in which this figure exceeds 5%. And in one of the regions of Latvia, a blue cow was raised, giving milk with a protein content of about 4% and a fat content of 6.27.

The level of milk production is 15 liters per day after the first calving. In the future, it reaches 30 liters. From 10 liters of milk, up to 3 kilograms of cottage cheese are obtained. The oil based product is bright yellow in color. The color of animal fur is blue, sometimes combined with a gray tint.

Data on the Latvian Blue is currently being collected by the National Association for the Conservation of the Species. The blue animal is considered one of the symbols of the country. The cow is even depicted on the coins.

Good and bad sides

The Latvian blue breed belongs to the universal type. Both directions of development are expressed in animals. But dairy products are distinguished by high quality and protein content. Like other cattle, blue cows have their advantages and disadvantages.

Pros and consCows are distinguished by unpretentiousness in food. Even with a meager diet, animals show high milk yields.The livestock has the ability to adapt to difficult weather conditions, with the exception of heat.Mating is carried out with breeding bulls of any breed. Blue calves are always born from a Latvian cow.The quality of milk that has an ideal ratio of protein and fat content.Animals are undemanding to the conditions of detentionDisease resistance. The Latvian Blue is the only cow breed that is resistant to leukemia.Rare breed farmers receive support at the federal level.A rare, endangered species of cattle.Currently, the livestock is about a hundred cows.Heat intolerance.

Blue cows can be bred in different regions. In Russia, the breed will take root almost everywhere, with the exception of the southern regions with a hot climate.

Maintenance and Care

The conditions for keeping Latvian blue cows depend on the season. In summer, the animals are released for grazing. It is better to choose a walking area with good and juicy grass near the farm. It is advisable to equip a canopy to protect from the weather.

Feeders and separate water tanks are installed in the winter pen. If possible, the process is automated.

Beds of hay are laid on the floor. A mixture of peat and sawdust absorbs moisture and unpleasant odors well. As you trample down and get wet, the layers are removed, and then new ones are added. This "mattress" protects animals in winter weather.

Latvian cows are adapted to cool climates. The premises for keeping animals are regularly ventilated. It is desirable that the building has large windows that let in a sufficient amount of sunlight. Blue animals are very clean. The corral is advised to be cleaned every 2 days.

What to feed the breed

When feeding blue cows, it is important to follow the regime and take into account a few rules:

1. Monitor the quality of food.
2. Include concentrated feed, fresh grass and root crops, hay and vitamin complexes in the diet.
3. Fill drinking bowls regularly. If it is impossible to automate the water supply, make sure that the liquid level does not fall to the minimum values.

The first feeding is carried out early in the morning, the breaks between meals are the same.

Breeding rules

A rare breed that is hardy, unassuming and weather resistant. Blue animals claim widespread breeding. A cow after mating with any bull gives offspring of blue color. The difficulty is that there are almost no unique animals left. It is very difficult to buy calves with a blue coat color. But the bonus for farmers who decide to take such a step will be federal subsidies. The Latvian government is interested in preserving cows, which are the national symbol of the country. The European Union also helps livestock breeders, a special program has been developed to save an endangered species.

Possible diseases

Blue cows have strong immunity. The breed is resistant to leukemia. Not a single case of a dangerous disease has been registered. Distinguishes animals and the absence of genetically fixed mastitis.

Main problems arise from poor care:

1. Kept in poorly ventilated pens.
2. Dirty and irregular cleaning.
3. Litters that are rarely changed become breeding grounds for pathogenic bacteria.
4. Unbalanced feeding.

Dangerous for blue cows and epidemics. Timely vaccination will protect against rabies, foot-and-mouth disease, anthrax and other deadly diseases.

Summer heat is favorable for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. Sanitizing the barn will save you from problems.To maintain the he alth of animals, it is advised to observe hygiene measures and monitor the condition of cows. In case of unusual behavior, call the veterinarian. Isolating sick individuals will stop the infection from spreading to the rest of the population. The Latvian blue cow is a rare species that has a century-long history of development. Now the conservation of blue animals depends on the efforts of enthusiasts and the support of the authorities.

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