Icelandic cattle breeders mark cow Huppa’s centenary

Icelandic cattle breeders are marking 100 years since the birth of Huppa frá Kluftum, regarded as the matriarch of the Icelandic cattle breed, with a seminar and celebration in Flúðir on Tuesday, mbl.is reports. The event is being organised by the South Iceland Agricultural Association, Hrunamannahreppur municipality and the Hrunamenn Cattle Breeding Association.

Huppa is considered exceptional not only in Iceland but internationally. It is thought unlikely that any other cow has contributed as large a share to the gene pool of a cattle breed as she has to Iceland’s. She is held in high regard by cattle-breeding enthusiasts, Icelandic farmers and people from Hrunamannahreppur. A room in Flúðir’s community hall is named Huppusalur, and the database for Icelandic cattle breeding also bears her name.

The seminar is open to everyone, with cattle enthusiasts especially welcome. At noon, the cooperative Auðhumla will serve dairy products from Huppa’s descendants, and a coffee reception will follow the seminar. The article says that nearly all cattle in Iceland can likely trace their ancestry to Huppa.