Long before Bohinj became famous as a tourist destination, the area was known for its tradition of dairy farming. On the picturesque high mountain pastures above Lake Bohinj, specific local conditions gave rise to a unique breed of cattle, and it is now gaining recognition throughout Slovenia.
The so-called Cika breed, Slovenia’s only home-grown breed of cattle, is known for its reddish color. However, its unique properties are more than skin deep. The cows, first mentioned by written sources in the 19th century, are particularly suited for the often harsh conditions of high-altitude terrain. Despite the often limited supply of grass, the dangerous terrain, and the harsh weather, the cattle not only survived -- they thrived. Known for their high output of milk, Cika cattle from the Bohinj area were sold as far away as Salzburg.
Eventually, they were crossbred with other varieties of cattle. While they were originally evenly reddish, they eventually developed white spots as well. In most cases, Cika cattle featured a large reddish patch surrounded with in white – hence their name. (“Cikast” means “spotted” in Slovenian.)
After World War II, other breeds of cattle were introduced to Slovenia’s high-altitude pastures and the native Cika variety began to disappear. For a while, its future seemed highly uncertain.
In recent years, however, Slovenia has seen a resurgence of interest in traditional farming. Cheese and other dairy products from mountain pastures are more popular than ever at farmers’ markets around the country, and many farmers have begun to realize that Cika cows, with their high milk output, are ideally suited to fill this growing demand. The breed is now making a comeback, and several farmers have even established an association of full-time Cika breeders. They hope to make an all-too-little-known breed a permanent part of Slovenia’s rich rural heritage.
