Ursus, the prize-winning one: The colossus is limping and fighting for offspring!

Ursus, the prize-winning one: The colossus is limping and fighting for offspring!

In the small village of Baek, which belongs to the municipality of Groß Pankow, passionate breeders of Simmental cattle meet for the annual federal breed meeting of Simmental breeders. Among the participants is the impressive colossus Ursus, a prize-winning cow weighing 1,200 kilos. Despite an injury sustained during a past copulation, his importance as a sperm donor remains undisputed.

The injury to Ursus, who is currently limping, casts a shadow over the meeting. He injured his hip during the last breeding campaign and needs rehabilitation after a stay in a Hanover animal clinic. A cattle farmer noted that the 11-year-old cow “has lost some weight and mass,” but it is still desirable as a sperm donor. While he only gives the Simmental ladies shy glances, his fondness for this breed cannot be denied.

The roots of cattle breeding

The success story of the cattle breeders Manfred and Marco Glaser began a good twenty years ago, at the time of the BSE crisis, which severely challenged the industry. Manfred Glaser, who worked as an industrial plant engineer in the GDR, returned with the desire to continue the family tradition. His son Marco completed an apprenticeship as a master farmer and together they bred Simmental cattle, a breed valued worldwide.

The Glaser family was able to build a significant reputation in breeding in the Prignitz, which is remarkable given the adversity that agriculture is experiencing in Germany. The Baek location offers them the opportunity to implement their passion and further develop their business. Breeding has become a central part of their lives and contributes to the preservation of this valuable breed.

Criticism of the current agricultural policy

The breeders present at the meeting also expressed their concerns about the current agricultural and environmental policies in Germany. The general mood fluctuates between disappointment, anger and frustration over what is perceived as one-sided political orientation. Breeders are calling for their interests to be better taken into account and are concerned about the negative impact that current regulations are having on smaller farms.

One of the main criticisms is the reversal of land improvement measures, which means that existing progress in land use and value enhancement is threatened. This development not only destabilized agriculture, but also increased bureaucratic hurdles and financial burdens that could force many farms to go out of business.

View in the Agriculture Committee

Siegbert Winter from the SPD, who took part in the meeting as a representative of the Prignitz district council's agriculture committee, expressed his understanding for the farmers' concerns. He emphasized: “I learned a lot again today.” What is particularly unfortunate, he added, is the repeated theft of electric fence technology and solar equipment, which causes high costs for breeders.

The breeders are calling on politicians to use their voice to create better conditions and promote sustainable agricultural development. The right to fair dialogue remains despite the challenges. In this context, the meeting in Baek documents the decisions that can have a lasting impact on cattle breeding and small businesses in Germany.

You can find detailed reporting on the situation of cattle breeders and their challenges here on www.nordkurier.de.