Belgian Blue cattle farming is pretty popular, especially in it’s native area. It is a beef cattle breed which is raised mainly for meat production purpose. But the breed is also pretty good for producing milk.
As the name suggests, the Belgian Blue cattle breed was originated from Belgium. It is named so mainly because of it’s origin country and it’s typically blue-grey mottled hair color (although, their color can vary from white to black).
It is also known by some other names such as Race de la Moyenne et Haute Belgique, Blanc-Bleu Belge (French), Belgian White and Blue Pied, Belgian Blue-White, Belgian White Blue, Blue and Blue Belgian.
The Belgian Blue cattle breed is gaining popularity as a beef cattle breed throughout the world, and can be found mainly in Brazil, Canada, Europe, United States and New Zealand.
Hyper-sculpted, Extremely lean and ultra muscular physique of the Belgian Blue cattle is termed, ‘double-muscling. The double muscling phenotype of the breed is a heritable condition resulting in an increased number of muscle fibers (hyperplasia), instead of the normal enlargement of individual muscle fibers. This particular trait is shared with another cattle breed known as Piedmontese cattle.
The Belgian Blue cattle breed was developed from crossing local cattle breeds with a Shorthorn cattle breed from the United Kingdom. It is also possible that the Charolais cattle breed were cross bred as well. The Belgian Blue cattle breed was first used as a dairy cattle breed, and then used for both meat and milk production purpose.
The modern Belgian Blue beef cattle breed was developed by Professor Handset in the 1950s, who was working at an artificial insemination center in Leige 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. The breed was first introduced to the United States by Nick Tutt in 1978.
However, currently the Belgian Blue cattle breed is used mainly as a beef cattle breed. And it is also good for producing milk. So, starting commercial Belgian Blue cattle farming will be a good and profitable business idea.
How to Start Belgian Blue Cattle Farming
The Belgian Blue cattle are very strong and hardy animals. They are well adapted to their local environment, and can do well in many other climatic conditions. So, starting commercial Belgian Blue cattle farming will be relatively easy.
Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Belgian Blue cattle farming business from purchasing animals to caring and marketing.
Purchase Cattle
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, active, healthy and diseases free animals for starting your Belgian Blue cattle farming business. Purchasing good quality animals is very important, because good quality animals ensure good production and maximum profits.
So, try to purchase very good quality animals. You can purchase the animals from any of your nearest livestock market or any existing Belgian Blue cattle farms. Just ensure that the animals are of very good quality, healthy and active.
Housing
Arranging good, secure and comfortable housing system is very important for commercial Belgian Blue cattle farming business. Because a good house not only helps the animals to stay healthy, but also helps them to stay free from adverse weather conditions and wild predators.
Exact type of the house can be any depending on your budget, and also on the availability of housing materials in your area. It can be of full concrete setup, or you can build the house with low cost and easily available materials (such as bamboo or wood). Just ensure that the house is secure and comfortable for the animals.
The Belgian Blue cattle are classified as a large sized breed. So, they will require more housing space. Ensure adequate space is available inside the house depending on the number of your animals.
Install good ventilation system inside the house, and ensure flow of sufficient amount of fresh air and light inside the house. Try to make the house in such a way so that you can easily clean the house. And try to clean the house regularly.
Feeding
Feeding the animals with very good quality and nutritious food is the most important part of Belgian Blue cattle farming business. Good foods not only help the animals to stay healthy, but also help them to grow better and produce more. So, always try to provide your animals with enough nutritious food.
The Belgian Blue cattle are beef cattle breed. So they will require more grains in their diet than greens. You can also consider feeding your animals with silage, especially during the dry season.
Like many other domestic cattle breeds, the Belgian Blue cattle also require lots of clean and fresh drinking water. So always try to provide your animals with adequate clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand. Never provide them with polluted water or contaminated feeds.
Breeding
The Belgian Blue cattle are naturally very good breeders, just like many other domestic cattle breeds. They will breed easily if you keep good ratio of bulls and cows in your herd. You can also consider artificial insemination method for breeding your cows.
Caring
Taking good care of your animals is the most important part of Belgian Blue cattle farming business. Because good caring helps the animals to stay healthy and produce more.
So, always try to take good care of your animals. Vaccinate and de-worm them timely, and always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area.
Marketing
Marketing cattle products is not a problem. Because cattle products have very good demand and value in the market.
Hope you will probably be able to easily sell your products in the local market. Although, you should set your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Belgian Blue cattle farming business. Raising Belgian Blue cattle is very easy, even the beginners can also raise them. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
