The Belgian Blue (French: 'Blanc-Bleu Belge', Dutch: 'Belgisch Witblauw', both literally meaning "Belgian White-Blue") is a breed of beefcattle from Belgium.[2] It may also be known as the Race de la Moyenne et Haute Belgique,[4]: 95 or dikbil (literally "fat buttocks" in Dutch). Alternative names for this breed include Belgian Blue-White; Belgian White and Blue Pied; Belgian White Blue; Blue; and Blue Belgian.[5] The Belgian Blue's extremely lean, hyper-sculpted, ultra-muscular physique is termed "double-muscling". The double-muscling phenotype is a heritable condition resulting in an increased number of muscle fibres (hyperplasia), instead of the (normal) enlargement of individual muscle fibres (hypertrophy).[6]
This particular trait is shared with another breed of cattle known as Piedmontese. 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 and reduced tenderness.[7] The Belgian Blue is named after its typically blue-grey mottled hair colour; however, its actual colour can vary from white to black.
The breed originated in central and upper Belgium in the 19th century, from crossing local breeds with a Shorthorn breed of cattle from the United Kingdom.[8]: 256 Charolais cattle possibly were cross-bred, as well.[8]: 256 Belgian Blue cattle were first used as a dairy and beef breed. The modern beef breed was developed in the 1950s by Professor Hanset, working at an artificial insemination centre in Liège Province. The breed's characteristic gene mutation was maintained through linebreeding to the point where the condition was a fixed property in the Belgian Blue breed.[7] In 1978, Belgian Blue cattle were introduced to the United States by Nick Tutt, a farmer from central Canada who emigrated to West Texas and showed the cattle to universities in the region.[clarification needed]
The Belgian Blue has been exported to many parts of the world; it is reported to DAD-IS by twenty-four countries, in Africa, the Americas, Europe and Oceania. Of these, ten report population data; in 2022 the worldwide population was estimated to be 107875.[9]
Characteristicsedit
The Belgian Blue has a natural mutation in the myostatin gene which codes for the protein, myostatin ("myo" meaning muscle and "statin" meaning stop).[7] Myostatin is a protein that inhibits muscle development. This mutation also interferes with fat deposition, resulting in very lean meat.[7] The truncated myostatin gene is unable to function in its normal capacity, resulting in accelerated lean muscle growth. Muscle growth is due primarily to physiological changes in the animal's muscle cells (fibres) from hypertrophy to a hyperplasia mode of growth. 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.[7] In addition, a newborn double-muscled calf's birth weight is significantly greater than that of a normal calf.[6]
Belgian Blue cattle have improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) due to lower feed intake compared to weight gain[6] due to an altered composition of body weight gain which includes increased protein and decreased fat deposition.[6] The Belgian Blue's bone structure is the same as normal cattle, albeit holding a greater amount of muscle, which causes them to have a greater meat to bone ratio. These cattle have a muscle yield around 20% more on average than cattle without the genetic myostatin mutation.[7] Because of this breed's increased muscle yield, a diet containing higher protein is required to compensate for the altered mode of weight gain.[6] During finishing, this breed requires high-energy (concentrated) feeds, and will not yield the same results if put on a high-fibre diet.[6]
Breed problemsedit
Double-muscled cows routinely experience dystocia – difficulty in parturition – even when bred to normal beef bulls or dairy bulls, because of a narrower birth canal;[8]: 256 the birth weight and width of the calf also may be higher than in animals without the double-muscling gene.[7] Calves are commonly born by Caesarean section; cows may be able to survive five or six deliveries of this type.[8]: 256 [10]: 110 [11]
In bulls, testicular weight and semen quantity and quality are lower than in other cattle, perhaps because of the greater amount of connective tissue in the testicles.[12] however this is less of an issue when compared to the dam's difficulties in calving.[6]
Economic efficiencyedit
The economics of breeding and raising Belgian Blue cattle are inconclusive because of complications experienced during parturition and metabolic demand for more concentrated feeds. The breed's increased need to have Caesarean sections when calving means increased cost and added work, and can become a welfare issue.[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.[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 cattle require more skilled management and do not thrive in harsh environments.[6] For these reasons and others, the breed's overall production efficiency in an economic sense is still unclear.
Referencesedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Belgian Blue cattle.
^Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). , annex to . Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN9789251057629. Archived 23 June 2020.
^ abBreed data sheet: Blanc-Bleu Belge / Belgium (Cattle). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed June 2022.
^ abcdValerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN9781780647944.
^Valerie Porter (ed.), Ian Lauder Mason (2002). Mason's World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties (5th edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN085199430X.
^Oklahoma State University breed profile October 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ abcdefghiDe Smet, S (2004). "Double-Muscled Animals". In Jensen, Werner Klinth (ed.). Encyclopedia of Meat Sciences. Vol. Encyclopedia of Meat Sciences. Oxford: Elsevier. pp. 396–402. doi:10.1016/B0-12-464970-X/00260-9. hdl:1854/LU-294762. ISBN9780124649705.
^ abcdefgKambadur, R.; Sharma, M.; Smith, T. P. L.; Bass, J. J. (September 1997). "Mutations in myostatin (GDF8) in double-muscled belgian blue and piedmontese cattle". Genome Research. 7 (9): 910–916. doi:10.1101/gr.7.9.910. PMID 9314496.
^ abcdCheville, Norman F. (1999). Introduction to veterinary pathology. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN978-0-8138-2496-3.
^Transboundary breed: Belgian Blue. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed June 2022.
^Educational Vet Video. "Video of Cow Caesarean Section". VetPulse TV in Practice. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-11-23. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
^Hoflack, G.; Van den Broeck, W.; Maes, D.; Van Damme, K.; Opsomer, G.; Duchateau, L.; de Kruif, A.; Rodriguez-Martinez, H.; Van Soom, A. (1 February 2008). "Testicular dysfunction is responsible for low sperm quality in Belgian Blue bulls". Theriogenology. 69 (3): 323–332. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.09.034. PMID 18023470.
December 20, 2023
belgian, blue, blue, bull, native, india, nilgai, french, blanc, bleu, belge, dutch, belgisch, witblauw, both, literally, meaning, belgian, white, blue, breed, beef, cattle, from, belgium, also, known, race, moyenne, haute, belgique, dikbil, literally, buttock. For the blue bull native to India see Nilgai The Belgian Blue French Blanc Bleu Belge Dutch Belgisch Witblauw both literally meaning Belgian White Blue is a breed of beef cattle from Belgium 2 It may also be known as the Race de la Moyenne et Haute Belgique 4 95 or dikbil literally fat buttocks in Dutch Alternative names for this breed include Belgian Blue White Belgian White and Blue Pied Belgian White Blue Blue and Blue Belgian 5 The Belgian Blue s extremely lean hyper sculpted ultra muscular physique is termed double muscling The double muscling phenotype is a heritable condition resulting in an increased number of muscle fibres hyperplasia instead of the normal enlargement of individual muscle fibres hypertrophy 6 Belgian BlueConservation statusFAO 2007 not at risk 1 143 DAD IS 2022 not at risk 2 Country of originBelgiumDistributionAfrica Americas Europe OceaniaStandardHerd Book Blanc Bleu Belge in French Usetwo types beef and dual purposeTraitsWeightMale average 1200 kg 3 127 Female average 700 kg 3 127 HeightMale average 148 cm 3 127 Female average 132 cm 3 127 CattleBos primigenius taurusBelgian Blue bullCow with the scars from caesarean sectionsThis particular trait is shared with another breed of cattle known as Piedmontese 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 and reduced tenderness 7 The Belgian Blue is named after its typically blue grey mottled hair colour however its actual colour can vary from white to black Contents 1 History 2 Characteristics 3 Breed problems 4 Economic efficiency 5 ReferencesHistory editThe breed originated in central and upper Belgium in the 19th century from crossing local breeds with a Shorthorn breed of cattle from the United Kingdom 8 256 Charolais cattle possibly were cross bred as well 8 256 Belgian Blue cattle were first used as a dairy and beef breed The modern beef breed was developed in the 1950s by Professor Hanset working at an artificial insemination centre in Liege Province The breed s characteristic gene mutation was maintained through linebreeding to the point where the condition was a fixed property in the Belgian Blue breed 7 In 1978 Belgian Blue cattle were introduced to the United States by Nick Tutt a farmer from central Canada who emigrated to West Texas and showed the cattle to universities in the region clarification needed The Belgian Blue has been exported to many parts of the world it is reported to DAD IS by twenty four countries in Africa the Americas Europe and Oceania Of these ten report population data in 2022 the worldwide population was estimated to be 107875 9 Characteristics editThe Belgian Blue has a natural mutation in the myostatin gene which codes for the protein myostatin myo meaning muscle and statin meaning stop 7 Myostatin is a protein that inhibits muscle development This mutation also interferes with fat deposition resulting in very lean meat 7 The truncated myostatin gene is unable to function in its normal capacity resulting in accelerated lean muscle growth Muscle growth is due primarily to physiological changes in the animal s muscle cells fibres from hypertrophy to a hyperplasia mode of growth 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 7 In addition a newborn double muscled calf s birth weight is significantly greater than that of a normal calf 6 Belgian Blue cattle have improved feed conversion ratio FCR due to lower feed intake compared to weight gain 6 due to an altered composition of body weight gain which includes increased protein and decreased fat deposition 6 The Belgian Blue s bone structure is the same as normal cattle albeit holding a greater amount of muscle which causes them to have a greater meat to bone ratio These cattle have a muscle yield around 20 more on average than cattle without the genetic myostatin mutation 7 Because of this breed s increased muscle yield a diet containing higher protein is required to compensate for the altered mode of weight gain 6 During finishing this breed requires high energy concentrated feeds and will not yield the same results if put on a high fibre diet 6 Breed problems editDouble muscled cows routinely experience dystocia difficulty in parturition even when bred to normal beef bulls or dairy bulls because of a narrower birth canal 8 256 the birth weight and width of the calf also may be higher than in animals without the double muscling gene 7 Calves are commonly born by Caesarean section cows may be able to survive five or six deliveries of this type 8 256 10 110 11 In bulls testicular weight and semen quantity and quality are lower than in other cattle perhaps because of the greater amount of connective tissue in the testicles 12 however this is less of an issue when compared to the dam s difficulties in calving 6 Economic efficiency editThe economics of breeding and raising Belgian Blue cattle are inconclusive because of complications experienced during parturition and metabolic demand for more concentrated feeds The breed s increased need to have Caesarean sections when calving means increased cost and added work and can become a welfare issue 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 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 cattle require more skilled management and do not thrive in harsh environments 6 For these reasons and others the breed s overall production efficiency in an economic sense is still unclear References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Belgian Blue cattle Barbara Rischkowsky Dafydd Pilling editors 2007 List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources annex to The State of the World s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Rome Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ISBN 9789251057629 Archived 23 June 2020 a b Breed data sheet Blanc Bleu Belge Belgium Cattle Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Accessed June 2022 a b c d Valerie Porter Lawrence Alderson Stephen J G Hall D Phillip Sponenberg 2016 Mason s World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding sixth edition Wallingford CABI ISBN 9781780647944 Valerie Porter ed Ian Lauder Mason 2002 Mason s World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds Types and Varieties 5th edition Wallingford CABI ISBN 085199430X Oklahoma State University breed profile Archived October 11 2008 at the Wayback Machine a b c d e f g h i De Smet S 2004 Double Muscled Animals In Jensen Werner Klinth ed Encyclopedia of Meat Sciences Vol Encyclopedia of Meat Sciences Oxford Elsevier pp 396 402 doi 10 1016 B0 12 464970 X 00260 9 hdl 1854 LU 294762 ISBN 9780124649705 a b c d e f g Kambadur R Sharma M Smith T P L Bass J J September 1997 Mutations in myostatin GDF8 in double muscled belgian blue and piedmontese cattle Genome Research 7 9 910 916 doi 10 1101 gr 7 9 910 PMID 9314496 a b c d Cheville Norman F 1999 Introduction to veterinary pathology Wiley Blackwell ISBN 978 0 8138 2496 3 Transboundary breed Belgian Blue Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Accessed June 2022 Marleen Felius 1995 Cattle Breeds An Encyclopedia Doetinchem Netherlands Misset ISBN 9789054390176 Educational Vet Video Video of Cow Caesarean Section VetPulse TV in Practice YouTube Archived from the original on 2021 11 23 Retrieved 30 December 2013 Hoflack G Van den Broeck W Maes D Van Damme K Opsomer G Duchateau L de Kruif A Rodriguez Martinez H Van Soom A 1 February 2008 Testicular dysfunction is responsible for low sperm quality in Belgian Blue bulls Theriogenology 69 3 323 332 doi 10 1016 j theriogenology 2007 09 034 PMID 18023470 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Belgian Blue amp oldid 1181934475, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
