Icelandic cattle

An Icelandic cow, in a pasture with Icelandic sheep

Icelandic cattle are a breed of cattle native to Iceland. Cattle were first brought to the island during the Settlement of Iceland.[1] Icelandic cows are an especially colorful breed.[2] Icelandic cattle have been genetically isolated for centuries, but are most closely related to breeds in Norway called Blacksided Trender and Nordland Cattle.[3] They have been protected by strict disease-prevention measures.[4] According to the Agricultural University of Iceland, it would be more cost-effective to replace Icelandic cattle with Swedish cattle.[5] However, some have argued that Icelandic cattle are part of Iceland's cultural heritage and should not be replaced.[6][7]

Guðni Ágústsson, former Icelandic minister of agriculture, once kissed an Icelandic cow.[8]

The milk from Icelandic cows is used to make skyr.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Our colourful Icelandic cows". Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  2. ↑ van Rensburg, Jaco. "CATTLE BREEDS -- ICELANDIC". Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  3. ↑ "Where did the Icelandic horse originate?". Vísindavefurinn. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  4. ↑ "Nature's Spectrum in a Variety of Products" (PDF). Mjólkurvörur í sérflokki. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  5. ↑ "Iceland’s Cows May Be Replaced with Swedish Breed". Iceland Review. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  6. ↑ B., Sara (2007-10-29). "Whole Milk". Iceland Review. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
  7. ↑ Þorkelsson, Bjarni (2006). "This speech was given Bjarni Þorkelsson at the FEIF Conference 2006" (PDF). FEIF Conference. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
  8. ↑ "Cow kissing minister wants to preserve Icelandic cattle stock". Iceland Review. 2005-10-19. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  9. ↑ "A Tasty Cultural Revolution: With All The New Types Of Yogurts For Sale, How Can You Know Which One Is Best For You?". CBS News. 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-11-17.

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