January 25 - The Legend of Ubre Blanca: Fidel Castro’s Dairy Obsession

Leading with Wisdom Through Godly Counsel

Jan 25, 2025

This is the day Ubre Blanca, Fidel Castro's prized dairy cow, set a world record by producing 109.5 liters of milk in 1982.

In today's lesson, we will explore how a record-breaking dairy cow in Cuba reveals profound truths about leadership and the vital importance of godly counsel. What happens when leaders isolate themselves from wisdom? How can seeking counsel transform our approach to leadership in every sphere of life?

"Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors, there is safety" - Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)

This Date in History

At the Genetic and Livestock Engineering Center in Nueva Gerona, Cuba, technicians gathered around a remarkable Holstein-Zebu hybrid cow named Ubre Blanca. Excitement filled the air as they prepared to document a historic moment: the cow's world record-breaking milk production of 109.5 liters in a single day. For Fidel Castro, this event was more than a scientific milestone. It was a symbol of revolutionary achievement and validation of his dream to transform Cuba into an agricultural and scientific powerhouse.

Ubre Blanca's extraordinary productivity was no accident. Born in 1972, she was the product of a rigorous breeding program aimed at creating a dairy cow that could thrive in Cuba's tropical climate while achieving high milk yields. Her name, meaning "White Udder," reflected her unique status as the face of Cuba's agricultural aspirations. Housed in a specially constructed, air-conditioned barn, Ubre Blanca was treated with unparalleled care. Classical music played softly to keep her calm, and a team of technicians milked her four times daily while meticulously planning her diet. These extraordinary efforts bore fruit, and her achievements were celebrated in Cuba and abroad, with her records recognized by the Guinness World Records and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

For Castro, Ubre Blanca was deeply personal. His fascination with dairy went far beyond agriculture. Known for his love of ice cream, Castro famously consumed up to 28 scoops after meals and once dispatched an ambassador to Canada for Howard Johnson's ice cream in every flavor. His obsession with dairy also inspired the establishment of Havana's famed Coppelia ice cream parlor in 1966, designed to produce world-class ice cream that would rival the best globally. Coppelia became a symbol of Cuban pride, embodying Castro's belief that the revolution could deliver both sustenance and luxury to the people.

Castro's vision for Cuba's dairy industry extended beyond personal passion. He sought to make milk a cornerstone of national self-sufficiency, symbolizing the revolution's potential for progress and prosperity. Castro even sought to outdo French cheesemaking, challenging Cuba's Camembert to rival France's finest. When French agronomist André Voisin visited in 1964, he tactfully praised its similarity but stopped short of declaring it superior, underscoring the challenge of competing with centuries-old French cheesemaking traditions.

Central to Castro's dairy ambitions was the development of a resilient, high-yielding dairy cow. Cuba's native Criollo and Zebu breeds, though well-adapted to the tropical climate, produced limited milk. In an attempt to overcome this, Castro imported thousands of Holstein cattle from Canada, but the tropical climate proved fatal for many. Undeterred, he promoted crossbreeding programs that led to "Tropical Holsteins," with Ubre Blanca standing as their crowning achievement and symbol of Cuba's scientific progress.

While Ubre Blanca's individual achievements were extraordinary, replicating her success on a national scale proved elusive. Despite Castro's investments, Cuba's dairy industry struggled in the 1970s and 1980s. Poor nutrition, heat, and insufficient infrastructure led to widespread cattle deaths and a steady decline in production. Castro's dream of a thriving dairy industry that could rival global leaders like the United States and Europe remained unrealized. The broader goal of creating a robust agricultural system faltered, with Ubre Blanca's records standing as a bittersweet reminder of the gap between aspiration and reality.

In 1987, Castro proposed an unconventional idea: genetically engineering dog-sized cows that could live in urban households and provide families with fresh milk. The concept, while imaginative, never materialized. This fantastical vision reflected Castro's willingness to explore bold and unconventional solutions, even if they defied practicality.

Ubre Blanca's legacy, however, remains enduring. After her death in 1985, she was immortalized through taxidermy and displayed at the National Cattle Health Center near Havana. A marble statue was erected in her honor in Nueva Gerona, and her story became a fixture in Cuban schoolbooks and documentaries. She represented not only a remarkable scientific achievement but also Castro's unwavering belief in the power of innovation to transform the nation.

Castro's obsession with Ubre Blanca and dairy more broadly highlights the intersection of personal passion, political ambition, and national identity. Milk, for Castro, was more than a source of nutrition. It symbolized abundance, self-sufficiency, and the potential for the revolution to overcome natural and economic barriers. Yet, the story of Ubre Blanca also underscores the challenges of centralized planning and the limits of ambition untempered by practical realities.

Ultimately, Castro's dream of transforming Cuba into a global dairy powerhouse remained unfulfilled, but Ubre Blanca's legacy transcended national boundaries. Her Guinness-certified records brought her international acclaim, while documentaries and Cuban schoolbooks celebrated her as a symbol of national pride and revolutionary ambition. Today, Ubre Blanca endures as a compelling emblem of an era marked by grand visions, remarkable achievements, and the stark realities of political and agricultural challenges. Her story continues to captivate, reflecting both the heights of human aspiration and the complexities of turning dreams into reality.

Historical Context

The early 1980s marked a period of intense agricultural competition and scientific advancement worldwide. The Green Revolution of the 1960s had transformed farming practices globally, with nations racing to increase crop yields and livestock production through genetic improvement and technological innovation. In the dairy industry, countries like the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands were achieving remarkable increases in milk production through selective breeding programs and advanced farming techniques.

The world record attempt came during a critical period when developing nations sought to prove their scientific capabilities and agricultural independence. Many countries were investing heavily in genetic research and biotechnology, viewing agricultural self-sufficiency as crucial to national sovereignty. This era saw the emergence of numerous breeding programs worldwide, as countries worked to develop livestock varieties adapted to local conditions while maintaining high productivity levels. The competition for agricultural records became a proxy for demonstrating national scientific achievement and economic progress.

Did You Know?
The average dairy cow in 1982 produced around 12-15 liters of milk per day, making Ubre Blanca's 109.5-liter record particularly remarkable.
Holstein-Friesian cattle, one of Ubre Blanca's parent breeds, originated in the Netherlands and were first exported to North America in the 1850s, becoming the world's highest-producing dairy cattle breed.

Today’s Reflection

In 1982, Ubre Blanca, a single cow in Cuba, shattered milk production records, becoming a symbol of Fidel Castro's centralized leadership and visionary goals. Yet, while this one cow thrived, Cuba's dairy industry collapsed. Thousands of cattle suffered due to poor planning, environmental challenges, and a lack of accountability in leadership. This sharp contrast between Ubre Blanca's success and the failure of the broader system serves as a profound reminder: leadership without counsel often leads to ruin, even when individual achievements seem impressive.

Proverbs 11:14 (NIV) teaches, "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors, there is safety" Proverbs 11:14 (NIV). Castro's fixation on controlling every aspect of Cuba's dairy program, without input from others, ultimately undermined his vision. His centralization of power highlights the dangers of pride and isolation in leadership, a problem as old as humanity itself. Whether in politics, the church, the workplace, or the family, leaders who refuse to seek counsel risk alienating those they lead and damaging the very systems they aim to build.

God has established structures of leadership in every area of life. Husbands are called to lead their families, pastors are called to shepherd their congregations, and leaders in business or politics are entrusted with great responsibility. However, with authority comes accountability, and scripture emphasizes the importance of seeking counsel. Consider the family. While the Bible designates the husband as the head of the household, "For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church" Ephesians 5:23 (NIV), this role does not mean acting without collaboration. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church. This involves listening, seeking input, and working together for the well-being of the family. A wise husband recognizes his wife's counsel as a gift from God, not a threat to his authority. Similarly, parents who collaborate and adapt based on their children's needs reflect godly leadership that nurtures and strengthens their families.

In the church, we see a model of shared leadership. Deacons, elders, and ministry leaders are appointed to serve alongside pastors, offering support, insight, and accountability. Yet many congregations have suffered under leaders who isolate themselves, trusting in their own vision while disregarding the wisdom of others. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" Proverbs 16:18 (NIV). A leader who rejects feedback in order to maintain control is not leading in a Christlike way. Instead, they are setting the stage for failure.

Leadership should always prioritize the well-being of those being led. Ambition can cloud this responsibility. Castro's obsession with Ubre Blanca's success symbolized his desire to showcase his power and vision, even as the broader needs of the dairy industry went unmet. Similarly, leaders today, whether in politics, churches, or businesses, may focus on public achievements while neglecting the unseen struggles of those they lead. In the workplace, this might look like a manager who prioritizes hitting performance targets at the expense of employee well-being. In the church, it could be a pastor consumed with growing the congregation while overlooking the spiritual health of individual members. True leadership requires an ongoing examination of priorities. Leaders must constantly ask themselves if they are genuinely serving others or simply pursuing their own goals.

No leader is meant to carry the burden of responsibility alone. Even Moses, one of the greatest leaders in scripture, needed help. When his father-in-law, Jethro, saw that Moses was overwhelmed by the demands of judging Israel's disputes, he advised Moses to appoint capable men to share the load Exodus 18:13-26 (NIV). Moses listened and implemented a system that ensured justice was carried out more effectively. This example reminds us that seeking counsel is not a sign of weakness, but rather, a demonstration of wisdom. God places others in our lives to help us see blind spots, offer fresh perspectives, and provide encouragement. Paul underscores this when he writes, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it" 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV). Effective leadership acknowledges that no single person can have all the answers and embraces the diversity of gifts and insights that others bring.

The story of Ubre Blanca reminds us that impressive individual successes can mask deeper failures when they are not accompanied by wisdom and accountability. As Christians, we are called to lead in ways that reflect God's heart, serving others, seeking counsel, and trusting in His ultimate sovereignty. By surrendering pride and embracing collaboration, we build systems, relationships, and communities that honor Him and bless those around us. Leadership rooted in humility, collaboration, and accountability is not only practical but also deeply biblical. It reflects the kind of leadership that prioritizes the flourishing of others over the pursuit of personal ambition.

Practical Application

Take time to identify the spheres of leadership in your life, whether at home, work, church, or community. Create a list of trusted advisors and mentors whose wisdom you can seek regularly. Schedule monthly check-ins with these individuals to discuss decisions, challenges, and potential blind spots. Consider establishing a small accountability group where leaders can share experiences and offer mutual support while maintaining confidentiality.

THIS IS THE DAY Last Year

January 25 - Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” Unveiled

We explored the covenantal nature of Christian marriage as contrasted with secular views. How does the story of the first playing of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" help us understand the depth of the marital covenant? What sets apart a Christian marriage?

Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the wisdom You provide through godly counsel and the examples You give us in Your Word. We acknowledge our need for guidance and accountability in our leadership roles. Help us to lead with humility, seeking wisdom from others and always prioritizing the well-being of those You've entrusted to our care. Grant us discernment to recognize when pride or ambition might be clouding our judgment and give us courage to submit our plans to the counsel of others. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Final Thoughts

The story of Ubre Blanca demonstrates how the pursuit of individual achievement can mask systemic failures when leadership operates in isolation. Through scripture and historical example, we see that true success comes not through centralized control but through humble collaboration and wise counsel. This truth remains vital for all who seek to lead in ways that honor God and serve others effectively.

THIS IS THE DAY reached 1,000 subscribers on the 21st. I can’t tell you how thankful I am to each and every one of you for making this newsletter a part of your day. Like Sergeant Yokoi in yesterday's newsletter, I often feel like I could crawl into a tunnel away from the world and I’d be perfectly fine in my solitude. But that’s not what God wants from us. He wants us to be a part of His plan. I write this newsletter because I believe He told me to. When I started on January 1, 2024, I thought it would be great if I could get 100 subscribers by the end of year. I should know better than to try to limit God.

There is no limit to what God can do through you if you allow Him to.

I want to say a special thank you to the 36 Substacks recommending THIS IS THE DAY to their readers. Together, you guys have sent over 200 subscribers my way. I also want to thank those of your who restack my posts (sometimes daily), share with friends, and tell others about this newsletter. I have no way of knowing how many subscribers have found me because of you, but I know without a doubt it’s a LOT.

This newsletter with 1,000 subscribers might not change the world. But it could help one person. If that’s all it ever helped, I’d be okay with that. If God tells you to do something that could help even one person, would you do it?