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Caesarian-section birth of a Belgian Blue calf at a small farm near Ghent, Belgium by Dr. Louise Vanlommel (at left) and a student from Ghent University veterinary school.

Belgian Blues are a breed of cattle native to Belgium with a natural genetic mutation producing double muscles and an increased ability to convert feed into lean muscles. They are prized for their meat production in a country with a limited amount of land for grazing. Belgian Blue calves have significantly greater birth weight, and some 95% require delivery by Caesarian section. This is typically done on the farm by a veterinarian for about €110 while the cow is standing and fully conscious. They use local anesthesia as the cows have no sensory nerves in their abdominal organs, and the procedure is relatively quick and painless. Purebred Belgian Blue cattle are illegal in Germany, Switzerland, and some Scandinavian countries, where the breed is considered unethical.

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Caesarian-section birth of a Belgian Blue calf at a small farm near Ghent, Belgium by Dr. Louise Vanlommel (at left) and a student from Ghent University veterinary school.<br /> <br /> Belgian Blues are a breed of cattle native to Belgium with a natural genetic mutation producing double muscles and an increased ability to convert feed into lean muscles. They are prized for their meat production in a country with a limited amount of land for grazing. Belgian Blue calves have significantly greater birth weight, and some 95% require delivery by Caesarian section. This is typically done on the farm by a veterinarian for about €110 while the cow is standing and fully conscious. They use local anesthesia as the cows have no sensory nerves in their abdominal organs, and the procedure is relatively quick and painless. Purebred Belgian Blue cattle are illegal in Germany, Switzerland, and some Scandinavian countries, where the breed is considered unethical.

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