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Where the Nordic Mountain Cattle Are Given a Voice

Date: 2022.05.16

“3MC – Nordic Mountain Cattle” is a cross-disciplinary project that makes sure that history and stories surrounding mountain cattle are examined, acquired, preserved, communicated and made public. Recently, a seminar, which was arranged in collaboration with the Museum of Torne Valley, was organized to increase awareness of Nordic mountain cattle and to present the project’s interesting and diverse research results.

From the left: Leader of the 3MC project and Section Leader of NordGen Farm Animals Mervi Honkatukia, the heifer Vallko and 3MC history researcher Hilja Solala. Image: Riitta Niiranen

The seminar was part of the exhibition Snöhvit, Punakorva, Fjellblom, which the project 3MC – Nordic mountain cattle created in collaboration with the Museum of Torne Valley. The event was also part of the Tornio Days, which highlights the city’s places, activities and know-how. The seminar was open to all those interested in the topic.

Mervi Honkatukia, leader of the 3MC project and Section Leader of NordGen Farm Animals, said that the day was a success.

– During the day, there were cow-related events for everyone. In six presentations, the researchers of the 3MC project talked about the latest results. For example, we heard about how the breed Northern Finncattle was saved from extinction.

An Unforgettable Experience

But the true attractions were outside. During the day, both children and adults got to see the farmer Ilmari Majuri’s heifer and the six-month-old bull calf, that were there to be petted by the visitors.

– Luckily, we had sunshine all day. Getting to know the animals was a memorable experience as well as tasting the ice cream, that was made from milk of Northern Finncattle. I hope that the visitors also had an unforgettable experience meeting the animals, said Hilja Soalla, the 3MC project’s history researcher.

Knowledge Transfer

Museum Director at the Museum of Torne Valley, Titta Kallio-Seppä. image: Saana Ikonen

Museum Director at the Museum of Torne Valley, Titta Kallio-Seppä, is happy that both local families with children as well as breeders found the seminar.

– Based on the feedback from the breeders, they seem grateful that we highlighted the importance of preserving the Nordic mountain cattle.

Knowledge transfer is an important part of the cross-disciplinary 3MC project. By establishing collaborations, Mervi Honkatukia hopes to find new ways to utilize the unique characteristics of the Nordic mountain cattle breeds. Further, she highlights the importance of understanding the history of the breed as well as the profound human-animal connection to increase the public’s awareness of native breeds.

– Cattle can’t talk. That is why give them a voice in this project. Communicating the popularized research results to the public is an important part of preserving the Nordic mountain cattle, says Mervi Honkatukia.

Top image: The Museum of Torne Valley

The 3MC project is funded with a grant from EU Interreg Nord, Lapin liitto and Region Norrbotten 2019-2022 and has 5 Nordic partners. NordGen is the coordinator for the project as well as responsible for investigating pedigree and population kinship, dissemination of results and implementation of applications. NordGen will also be responsible for establishing the network of preservers.