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Renzo Blumenthal’s dream came true at the weekend: his cow Berna was named udder winner.
Over 180 cows competed against each other at the European Brown Swiss Championships in Imst, Austria, last weekend. There were animals from Austria, Germany, Italy, France and Switzerland. Of the eleven Swiss cows, one belongs to the former Mister Switzerland Renzo Blumenthal. For the Grisons farmer and his cow Berna, it was the first time they took part in a European Championship.
Legend:
Renzo Blumenthal at the European Brown Swiss Championships in Imst
SRF
Berna is the udder winner
Four-year-old Berna competed in two different competitions in the middle age category. In the so-called “Nations Cup” she narrowly missed out on victory. All the more joy followed when Berna was named udder winner in the second category.
We have been working with these animals for so long. The fact that this is coming out like this means everything to me.
Renzo Blumenthal could hardly contain his emotions. The 47-year-old tearfully explains how much this victory means to him: “We have been working with these animals for so long and we care about them very much. The fact that it’s coming out like this means everything to me.”
These ideals of beauty count in a cow
In order to be able to take part in the European show, the cows had to meet certain criteria. Andi Koch, Vice President of “Braunvieh Schweiz”, says in an interview: “A cow has to be wide. From the chest all the way back to the pelvis.” She also has to have a linearly straight back. The udder also plays an important role as a criterion. Many veins are considered an ideal of beauty. The udder also has to be high up so that the cow can produce milk for a long time, says Andi Koch.
For Blumenthal, Berna is the star
Renzo and Berna are at home in Vella in the canton of Graubünden. As a farmer, Blumenthal has to deal with his cows there every day. The 47-year-old openly admits that Berna enjoys a special status compared to the other animals: “When I come into the stable in the morning, the first thing I do is check where Berna is and how she is doing.” As soon as the farmer enters the stable and calls her name, she comes straight to him and picks up a goodie. “She gets a little more than the others,” says Blumenthal.
A dream came true for Mister Switzerland 2005 at the weekend. He knew as early as three years old that he wanted to become a farmer when he grew up. That’s why it’s a great honor and pride for him that he was able to take part in the European Championships. For Blumenthal it was “an experience that you will never forget.”