NordMilk - a new network with a focus on characterization of milk from Nordic cattle breeds

Researchers from Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, specializing in the analysis of #milk, in collaboration with NordGen #Farm #Animals, have established a network focusing on the characterization of #milk from the Nordic #cattle #breeds. More Nordic and Baltic countries are expected to join the network in the future.

At a recent meeting in Oslo, researchers from the Nordic countries together with NordGen established a network with a focus on working with milk from old cattle breeds. Researchers in the network will benefit from the shared expertise that exists in the Nordic countries in this field of research, and work together on common applications, collection, storage and analyses of samples, knowledge sharing and publishing.

The research groups involved are specialists in analyzing the chemical composition and characteristics of milk important for different types of dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt. Previous studies performed on milk from Holstein, Jersey and Swedish Red cows have shown clear effects of breed on the milk contents. Milk from the native Nordic cattle breeds has never been studied systematically. Therefore, there is a need to characterize and document whether milk from the native Nordic breeds differs from that of the modern breeds, and whether unique characteristics of importance for cheese making properties and human health are found in the milk from the Nordic breeds.

NordGen appreciates that the network assists Nordic countries to meet the international obligations on genetic resources. The Nordic countries have committed themselves to work for the conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits that are provided through genetic resources. An important step towards accomplishing these obligations is documentation of the distinctive features of local breeds that can be exploited commercially. Unique and favorable milk properties would permit product development that could benefit consumers and create an economic base and incentive for farmers to keep animals of local breeds. This will in turn contribute to the conservation of these breeds and biodiversity in its entirety. 

For the present, the network runs until 2015. Applications for funds that can finance the planned research are currently being written by all the groups involved.

Norwegian Forest Cat !

The #Norwegian #forest #cat is native to the Scandinavian regions of Northern Europe, with the Norwegian forest cat having adapted to the colder climates of the near polar regions.

The Norwegian forest cat has long thick #fur, which is in a double-layer to keep the #cat warm in the uncompromising winters. The Norwegian forest cat also has a thick layer of fat insulating its body.

The Norwegian forest cat was only distinguished as a special breed of cat in the 1900s, up until then it was simply another type of house cat. The Norwegian forest cat is today #bred for #cat shows and awards in both Europe and America.

The Norwegian Forest cat is one of the largest #breeds of domestic cat, generally reaching more than a meter in length. The Norwegian forest cat has a heavy body due to its large size and can often be more than twice the weight of other domestic cat breeds.

The World's Largest Chicken Egg

An #egg reportedly 4 times the size of a normal #egg, weighing in at 5.4 ounces and measuring 3 1/2 inches long, popped out of a #chicken in Yell County, Arkansas.

That hen must have been baking that baby for quite some time!

Cheyenne Terry found the egg while collecting #eggs in the gathering house at her uncle's Tom and Paula Ernst Poultry Farm.

Since her discovery, she has submitted and received an approval from the Guiness Book of World Records for her claim of having the World's Largest Chicken Egg.