Latvian Blue

Latvian Blue cattle, or Latvijas zilā, are a rare native Latvian dairy breed named for their blue-grey coat. The color can range from pale silver to darker slate, often with darker shading on the head or legs. The breed is linked with old coastal and rural cattle of Latvia, especially in western regions, and was maintained in small numbers while more intensive dairy breeds expanded. Latvian Blue cows are generally medium-sized, hardy, and valued for fertility, longevity, and milk with useful fat and protein rather than for extreme yield.

Most Latvian Blue cattle are kept in conservation-minded dairy herds, family farms, and rural tourism or heritage settings. They fit the Baltic climate well when given dry winter housing, good hay or silage, and pasture during the growing season. Because the surviving population is small, blue color by itself is not enough to define breeding value; documented ancestry, sound udders, legs, and reproductive performance matter. Conservation programs and careful use of bulls help prevent inbreeding while keeping the old Latvian type recognizable.

Colors: Belted, Black, Black and White, Blaze Faced, Blue Roan, Brindle, Brockle Faced, Brown, Brown and White, Dun, Gray, Grey, Highbelt, Highpark, Lineback, Mottled, Pied, Red, Red and White, Red Roan, Riggit, Roan, Silver, Solid Black, Solid Red, Solid White, Speckled, Spotted, White, White Faced, Yellow