Project active: 1 November 2019 – 30 September 2022

Cattle breeds that have evolved in the harsh conditions of the Northern parts of the Nordic countries bear unique traits that have developed over centuries. Keeping Mountain cattle has a profound connection to our shared cultural history that needs to be documented and made public for future generations.

“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. The knowledge that is acquired will help us understand the cultural history of the cattle breeds, and in that way make sense of the world today. Through understanding the history of the breed as well as the profound human-animal connection, we can raise awareness and establish collaborations to find new ways to utilize the unique traits of the Nordic Mountain Cattle – and thereby save them for the future.

Exhibition at The Museum of Torne Valley April 8 – August 21

For centuries, people have kept cattle in order to survive in the harsh conditions of the north. Before the modernization of agriculture in the 20th century, the most common cattle in the northern parts of the Nordic countries were mountain cattle, which today are in focus at the newly opened exhibition at The Museum of Torne Valley.

Joining Forces Across Disciplines

Combining several academic disciplines in this project will give the project a more nuanced picture of the history, culture and lineage of the mountain cattle.

“In this project, my observations become part of something bigger. By seeing things from several points of view, the information gathered reveals a richer and more detailed picture of our topic.” – Hilja Solala, researcher focusing on animal history at the University of Tampere and one of the participants in the 3MC project

The fields of study include:

• • Historical References​
  • Cultural Heritage Survey and network​
  • Kinships based on archaelogical finds and pedigrees ​
  • Game development​

A Network is Taking Shape

The most important achievement during the first year of the project are the contacts that have been made with the livestock owners who do practical conservation work, as well as with other friends of the northern cattle breeds, who are actively promoting the tradition.

“People’s willingness to share their stories and participate in the project as volunteers is simply heartwarming”- NordGen Section Leader Mervi Honkatukia in an interview that can read here:

Our network makes it easier for actors to meet, share information and work towards common goals. We welcome everyone to join our group on Facebook where we post in English and Nordic languages and discuss all matters related to Nordic Mountain Cattle.​

Mountain Cattle – the Game

The information gathered in the project is distributed through a game application. It will illustrate the consequences of mating selections for the coming generations made by the player: to be successful in the game, the genetic diversity of the animals has to be maintained.

The project is funded with a grant from 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.