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Broadening Awareness About Nordic Mountain Cattle

Date: 2022.06.28

Peräpohjola market is an annual marketplace that shows what it was like in the early 20th century. Image: Anna-Erika Heikkilä

On Saturday 2 July, it’s time for Peräpohjola market in Tornio. At the market, by the old town hall, are Ilmari Majuri’s Northern finncattle. For those curious about the rescue operation of the breed, veterinarian Ossi Kemppainen talks about his efforts in the 70s that saved Northern finncattle from extinction.

At the Museum of the Torne Valley, in connection with the exhibition about Nordic mountain cattle – which was created in cooperation with the NordGen-led cross-disciplinary 3MC project – veterinarian Ossi Kemppainen talks about his experiences from the rescue operation that took place more than 40 years ago. Among other things, he shares a story about a secret insemination.

Veterinarian Ossi Kemppainen has donated his entire archive to the 3MC project.

“In his role, Ossi Kemppainen was both observant and thoughtful. It took courage and great self-confidence to act for the future of the breed”, says Mervi Honkatukia, leader of the 3MC project and Section Leader of NordGen Farm Animals.

Veterinär Ossi Kemppainen. Bild: Marjatta Sihvonen

After the modernization of agriculture, the native breeds were seen as low-yielding animals, which should preferably be replaced with commercial breeds. The native breeds in the northern parts of the Nordic countries, the closely related Nordic mountain cattle, went nearly extinct in just a few decades.

A secret insemination

In Finland, the situation for Northern finncattle was particularly worrying in the late 1970s. Therefore, a few vigilant pioneers took steps to revive the breed – among them was the veterinarian Ossi Kemppainen. Together with a Swedish colleague, he inseminated Northern finncattle cow Punakorva with sperm from the Swedish mountain breed.

The reason for the secret insemination was the prevailing, very negative attitude of livestock breeders towards the Northern Finncattle.
“We agreed that if there are any questions, we will just say that a bull was found “in the neighbourhood”. After all, the work was done for a good cause: to save the Northern Finncattle”, Ossi Kemppainen told.

The persistent and systematic work yielded results and the rapid decline of the Northern finncattle was partially halted thanks to Swedish cooperation.

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to exchange ideas with Ossi in connection with the 3MC project. Without his efforts, there would be no landrace cattle in Lapland to study or preserve”, said Mervi Honkatukia.

Veterinarian Ossi Kemppainen tells about his experiences from the rescue operation of Northern finncattle. Among other things, he shares a hitherto unknown story of a secret insemination, which took place more than 40 years ago.

Meet the veterinarian at 12.00 on July 2 at the Museum of the Torne Valley. Participants are also more than welcome to share their stories about mountain cattle. The event lasts for about an hour and is held in Finnish. During the day, the museum also organizes the following mountain cow-related events:

12.00–15.00 Workshop: Cone cows. The museum’s stone labyrinth is transformed into a meadow full of cone cows! Come and make your own cow!
14.00 (Finnish) & 15.00 (Swedish) Guided tours of the museum’s exhibition about the Nordic mountain cattle

Meet Ilmari Majuri’s cattle at the market on Saturday 2 July, next to the old town hall.

The project is funded with a grant from EU Interreg Nord and Länsstyrelsen 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.