Methodology

In this working paper we will take a look at grey cattle found so far in Estonia. The cattle is divided due to geographical regions: North-Estonia (Rapla and Harju), West-Estonia (Läänemaa, Pärnumaa, the islands), North-East Estonia (Virumaa), Central-Estonia (Järvamaa, Jõgevamaa, Viljandimaa, Tartumaa) and South-Estonia (Põlvamaa, Võrumaa, Valga). I speak about findings and lines. The lines are established just for working purpose and they have been put due to the place (farm or village) where the cattle origin from (as far as I found out via the interviews). This has been made according to what the owner has told me. In some cases I have done cross checking and this should still be done in several cases. I have had no other information to rely on than the information given by the owners. I am sure that in many cases a cow mentioned as being from for example Kivi-Vigala may origin from any other place. The working paper is written due to information I have for the moment. In many cases the owners of grey cattle has become this by “an accident”. For example they have read an announcement in “Maaleht” on cow being sold. Then when going to see the cow they have found out that it is grey and bought it. When I get an announcement (usually an e-mail or a telephone call) on grey cow somewhere I drive to the farm to see the cattle. I make some photos of the cow and a small interview with the owner. I have also made interviews with former owners of grey cattle. Many of those are made by phone. I have not collected the register numbers of any cattle and all register numbers that may be visual on the photo are taken away. I have got permissions of all cattle owners to use the photos I have made of the cattle, also in internet. The method used in searching for native animals is pretty similar to the method used in looking for native sheep in Estonia. It is also the same method that has been used in all Nordic countries when looking for native breeds. This document is done purely to share the information that so far has turned up and should not be kept as any research result document but a working paper.