The Incredible Hulk of the cattle world
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325815)
Rockingham, Australia
May 21, 2017 9:06am CST
Just as there are a great many sheep breeds, so there are a number of cattle breeds.
One of the interesting ones is the Belgian Blue. This is what is known as a double-muscled breed. A genetic mutation suppresses the production of myostatin which results in extreme muscular development or double muscling. A mature Belgian Blue looks like a bovine version of the incredible hulk.
The hindquarters in particular are very heavily muscled. The meat is tender and succulent with more rib-eye area and less marbling. The breed originated in central and upper Belgium. Its colour ranges from white through all shades of blue roan to black. Occasionally a red animal appears. Mature bulls weigh from 1,000 to 1,200kg and cows 650 to 900kg.
The Belgian Blue is now found in South America, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Europe, Canada and America.
Photo: By agriflanders [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
19 people like this
19 responses
@topffer (42156)
• France
21 May 17
Not the typical Belgian Blue (Northern Blue in France) which is called "Blue" because of its grey/blue spots. This one looks like a Holstein with a big butt
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Correction, I am wrong : I am reading that they are 2 slightly different species and that the Belgian Blue can have only black spots. I post a picture of its cousin the Northern Blue, on the other side of the border, coming from Wikipedia.
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Correction, I am wrong : I am reading that they are 2 slightly different species and that the Belgian Blue can have only black spots. I post a picture of its cousin the Northern Blue, on the other side of the border, coming from Wikipedia.2 people like this
. Very big breed indeed.@JudyEv (325815)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 May 17
I wouldn't a 'blue' photo too but couldn't find one that showed as much muscling as this one. It seem the colour can vary a little. This is the one I nearly put up. Courtesy: Peter Van den Bossche from Mechelen, Belgium (Bull) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325815)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 May 17
@Tampa_girl7 You took the word right out of my mouth! 
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
6 Dec 17
Hmmm... does he get even bigger if he gets mad, Judy? (grinning and teasing you!)
I've heard of that breed before but have never seen a real one. I think it would be interesting to see him... (
He might not be much to talk to/with but I bet he can flex like no one's business! 
)1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
21 May 17
Ooh you would get a fair few steaks off that beast!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325815)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 May 17
You would indeed. He looks a bit grotesque though doesn't he?
@JudyEv (325815)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 May 17
Pity the poor cows who have to take his weight at mating time.
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
21 May 17
A bull you wouldn't want to be chased by for sure
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15730)
• Canada
21 May 17
It's in Canada??? I had never heard of the breed but I will be looking. I will have to tell everyone at lunch that there is such a think as a blue cow!! Can't wait to hear what they are going to say about that!!!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325815)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 May 17
It appears 'blue' because of the mixed black and white hairs - just like a blue heeler or a blue roan horse.
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
21 May 17
That's a whole lotta steaks.
1 person likes this
