Water buffalo breeding begins in Latvia

The farm "Jaunžūras" in Cēsis district has become the first in Latvia and the Baltics to start breeding water buffalo. The owners plan to develop a new type of business - to produce mozzarella cheese and other dairy products from water buffalo milk.

The exotic animals from Asia mingle happily with the farm's sheep. The animals arrived in Latvia from Sweden, and the owner said that they are already well accustomed to our climate.

"I think they like the cold very much. They have adapted because they come from Sweden, and they have grown quite a thick coat. They were raised in that climate and are completely used to it," said Arta Celma, owner of "Jaunžūras".

The idea of ​​breeding water buffalo arose several years ago. Experience was gained abroad, and the farm owner had previously encountered these animals in New Zealand. However, bringing the animals to Latvia took longer than planned.

"It was a two-year process because bluetongue [disease] is rampant in Europe, and with it there are various restrictions. We couldn't bring them in so quickly for that very reason," said Celma.

"It's not that it's a drastically more expensive animal. It's not, but it's more difficult to find a farm you can buy from. Because not everywhere farmers want to sell. But we were lucky - we found cooperation partners in Sweden."

A water buffalo used to cost around 3,000 euros, but now their price could be higher.

During the conversation, the hostess's little water buffalo, Valentīns, is cuddling by her side the whole time. Arta smiles and says that he already has "Latvian citizenship."

The farm currently has eight water buffalo cows, one bull and five calves, with another expected soon. There are also plans to build a new barn for the herd, where produce will also be produced.

"The main product will be mozzarella cheese, but we also have yogurt, ice cream, butter, and other dairy products in the plan," the owner said.

An adult water buffalo cow can produce up to 13 litres of milk per day. The animals are also suitable for grazing on wet meadows.

"They have a different hoof structure. It may be hard to see it right away, but they can move through wet areas and not sink. That's why they are also used in swamps, because they can move through such places and not drown," said Celma.

The owners hope that the water buffalo herd will grow in the coming years and that the first locally produced products made from water buffalo milk could appear in Latvia later this year.