Belgian Blue

The Belgian Blues are a breed of cattle with extreme musculinity.

The Belgian Blues are a breed of cattle with extreme muscularity. Cows of this breed weigh up to 800 kg, bulls up to 1,300 kg.

By breeding the gene responsible for the production of myostatin was changed in a way that hardly any of this protein is produced in the cattle’s body any more. Myostatin inhibits muscle growth so that muscles don’t grow uncontrollably. Since little myostatin is produced by Belgian Blues, their muscles grow very quickly. Animals with this gene alteration are also called double loiners. This gene alteration also inhibits the growth of fat, so the meat of the Belgian Blues is very lean. Their extreme muscling is a disadvantage for the birth process.

Purebred Belgian cows cannot give natural birth to their calves, they require a Caesarean section. Therefore, Belgian Blue bulls are often crossed with other breeds. A Belgian Blue is mated for example with a black-and-white cow, in order to minimize the danger of a high-risk birth.