Brandrood beef (Jipkesbelt) - Nijverdal

It is up to you to decide if you want to cycle about 20 kilometres extra for a chance to see the Brandrode cow. The 'Brandrode' is perhaps the most beautiful cow in the Netherlands. There should be a few in the Jipkesbelt area. It is a red-coloured variant of the old MRIJ beef, which used to be common along the rivers Meuse, Rhine and IJssel.

The MRIJ beef is a 'dual-purpose' cattle, meaning it is good for both milk and meat. It is strongly built and does not have as much muscle as some other breeds, but it is still powerful. The difference is like between someone who trains in the gym and someone who has become strong through hard work.

The MRIJ beef often used to do heavy work. Farmers used it to pull ploughs or carts. A cow pulls slower than a horse, but is much stronger. The strong oxen that pulled heavy loads of wood in forestry were often MRIJ cattle. This makes the beef important for the region with its history of forestry and moorland reclamation.

What makes the 'Brandrode' so beautiful? The colour. Their head and neck are deep red, which darkens with age and becomes more chestnut brown. In the bulls, it turns almost black, with curls that make them look like bison. It's a fantastic bovine, and worth making a diversion to see it. If necessary, turn up your pedal assistance to find them.