Page "Belgian Blue" Paragraph 8

The economics of breeding and raising Belgian Blue cattle are inconclusive because of complications experienced during parturition and metabolic demand for increased concentrated feeds.

However the carcass value of double-muscled animals may be enhanced due to increased dressing yield, lean carcass content, and upgrading of some cuts leading to a higher proportion of higher valued cuts.

The slower rate of fat deposition has caused for slaughtering in most cases to be delayed, which means an increase in maintenance costs in those animals.

There are also issues with this breed's increased need to have Caesarean sections when calving, which means an increased cost, added work, and can become a welfare issue.

Belgian Blue cattle require more skilled management and does not thrive in harsh environments.

For these reasons and others the breeds overall production efficiency in an economic sense is still unclear.