Cooperation between nature and humankind – livestock farming in the Piebalga hills in harmony with the rhythms of nature

In the picturesque hills of Piebalga, in Taurene parish, Inese and Jānis Āboliņi have, step by step, established the organic beef cattle farm SIA “Āboliņkalns”, where care for the animals goes hand in hand with the preservation of natural meadows. They started the farm on their own with just a small plot of land, but over the years the farm has grown to cover around 300 hectares.

Today, their son Matīss Cināts is carrying on the work his parents began and has set up his own farm. This is not only an opportunity for the younger generation to develop their own approach to farming, but also a natural continuation of the knowledge, experience and attitude towards the land accumulated within the family. The farms are united not only by family ties, but also by their shared daily work – caring for the livestock, the land and the preservation of natural meadows.

The family rears Limousin beef cattle, which spend much of their time on extensive pastures. Some of these are ecologically valuable grasslands, where grazing becomes a mutually beneficial partnership – the meadows provide the animals with a varied natural diet, whilst the cattle help to maintain them and protect them from becoming overgrown. Thus, livestock farming here is not merely an economic activity, but also a practical way of preserving the landscape and natural diversity characteristic of Piebalga.

Even during the winter months, the herd’s feed is based on organic fodder grown and prepared on the farm itself. Cattle rearing is therefore closely linked to the land managed by the farm and the resources it provides, enabling the production of high-quality, natural beef.

What Inese and Jānis started back in the day continues today with Matīss. It is a way of farming in which, alongside day-to-day work, continuity is also important – passing on knowledge and responsibility for the land to the next generation. By jointly managing the meadows of Piebalga and rearing cattle, the family not only develops their own farms but also helps to preserve the landscape and natural heritage for the future.