Meet Imminence, the 2019 Bleue du Nord ambassador for the International Agricultural Show

Bleue du Nord cow

Who is Imminence ?

In 2019, the Bleue du Nord breed took centre stage at the International Agricultural Show with ‘Imminence’, a five-year-old cow reared by Gilles and Isabelle Druet in Saint-Aubin, in the Avesnois region.

Born in September 2013, she lived amongst a herd of around a hundred Bleues du Nord on a 115-hectare farm.

With her white coat speckled with blue-grey, her broad muzzle and her calm, curious nature, Imminence perfectly embodied the characteristics of her breed.

She had already given birth to three calves and won two best udder prizes in 2018, first in Arras and then in Le Quesnoy.

Her presence at the Show helped to highlight not only a local breed with a small population, but also the work of the breeders who are working hard to preserve it.

Through Imminence, the wider public was introduced to a whole story of livestock breeding, heritage and Franco-Belgian cooperation.

How can you recognise a Bleue du Nord cow?

 

The Bleue du Nord is primarily distinguished by its coat, which can be white, blue-pied or black-pied.

Its grey or slate-blue patches contrast with the light background of its coat. It is notable for its broad muzzle and, in animals typical of the breed, a black muzzle, hooves and teats.

Beyond its appearance, the Bleue du Nord is characterised by its calm and docile temperament. Its hardiness, longevity and ability to adapt to both cold and damp conditions are assets for farms in its region of origin.

Spotlight on the Bleue du Nord

 

Straddling the border between France and Belgium, this breed of cattle nearly became extinct.

What makes it special? It is a dual-purpose breed: it produces both milk and meat. Hardy and well-suited to a damp climate, it makes good use of grassland and helps to sustain traditional livestock farming.

Where does the Bleue du Nord breed come from?

The historical heartland of the Bleue du Nord stretches on both sides of the Franco-Belgian border, in Hainaut and Avesnois.

Of Belgian origin, this breed became established in northern France, where it has long been reared for its dairy and beef production.

 

The Bleue du Nord in figures (data from Races de France)

  • 1,452 cows recorded in France in 2022.
  • 56 farms recorded in 2022.
  • 548 cows inspected in 2022.

 

A dual-purpose breed: milk and meat

The Bleue du Nord has retained a characteristic that has become rare amongst cattle breeds: its dual suitability for both dairy and beef production.

The cows produce milk whilst also possessing qualities that make them suitable for meat production.

 

Products to promote the Bleue du Nord

Preserving this breed also involves promoting its products. On the dairy side, the Pavé Bleu is a cheese made exclusively from raw whole milk from the Bleue du Nord.

Created as part of a European programme dedicated to preserving the breed, it takes the form of a block, with a soft, blue-veined texture and a blue-grey rind.

Other products have also been developed using the milk or meat of this breed: butter, yoghurts, ice cream and meat, sold mainly through short supply chains.

The Cendré des Prés is also one of the products associated with this promotion initiative.