Latvian farmer questions Future of Heritage Cow Breeds Amid Economic Pressures
DUNDAGA,LATVIA – A Latvian farm owner is reassessing the viability of raising rare,historic cow breeds due to economic challenges,highlighting a broader struggle for the preservation of these unique genetic resources. Janis Zadiņš, owner of “Young Neighter” farm in Dundaga, admits his initial vision of exporting organic products from his Blue and Latvian Brown cows hasn’t materialized, leading him to consider productivity and competitiveness against conventional farming practices.
For a decade, “Young Neighter” has been dedicated to raising these traditional breeds.The Blue Cow population in Latvia is critically low, with only approximately 700 registered animals spread across roughly 200 farms. The Latvian Brown cow fares slightly better, with around 20,000 registered, but is still considered an endangered farm animal.
Zadiņš’s reflection mirrors a trend across Latvia, where farms initially committed to organic and heritage breeds are increasingly switching to conventional methods for economic reasons. He notes that current support for maintaining these breeds feels “more symbolic” than significant.
“The situation is that these animals are less chosen,” Zadiņš stated, acknowledging the financial pressures impacting his decision.
despite these concerns, Zadiņš remains convinced of the importance of preserving these historic varieties, emphasizing their unique adaptation to Latvian farming conditions. This sentiment is echoed by Mārtiņš Cimermanis, head of the Rural Advisory Center, who describes the breeds as a “valuable genetic resource.”
Currently, farmers receive payments for preserving genetic resources through state and European programs, recognizing the potential future value of these breeds – perhaps in milk quality or animal characteristics. However, Cimermanis points out a critical gap: Latvia lacks a dedicated development program specifically for these heritage breeds.
“You can create the story there, but it’s already such a collaboration for farmers, scientists and consultants,” Cimermanis explained. He also highlighted the influence of the dairy industry‘s purchasing practices, which prioritize milk volume over quality factors that might benefit heritage breeds.Subsidies tied to milk volume further disincentivize farmers from investing in these less productive, but genetically valuable, animals.
The decline in Latvian Brown cow numbers illustrates this trend. The Rural Support Service reports a notable drop from approximately 44,000 registered animals five years ago to around 23,000 today.The future of these historic Latvian cow breeds hinges on a collaborative effort between farmers, researchers, and policymakers, coupled with a shift in industry practices that recognize and reward the unique value of these endangered genetic resources.
