One of the early pioneers and founders of the breed was Mr David Hall of Larriston, Newcastleton Roxburghshire, who along with Mr Andrew Park of Stelshaw, Bailey, Cumberland sold Blue-grey suckled calves at Newcastleton suckler sales way back in the late 19th Century.
These two breeders had found the Bluegrey's to be fast maturing cattle valued highly be feeders of beef. These popular Blue-grey cattle were the product of the crossing of the hardy Galloway cow with the Whitebred Shorthorn bull, many of which came from Cumberland.
The Whitebred Shorthorn is considered a rare breed, a completely separate breed from the Beef Shorthorn or Dairy Shorthorn. It is bred primarily used as a crossing bull to mate with any breed of female, but principally with the Galloway to produce the noted Bluegrey, and the Highland producing a Cross Highlander, the progeny from both these crosses being well suited to the full range of British climatic conditions, and able to utilise the poorest of grazing land. Breed association sales continue to be held in Carlisle, in spring and autumn, although numbers sold are now in single figures.
Characteristics
The Whitebred Shorthorn is white in colour with an outer coat of soft hair and a thick mossy undercoat. they have a wide muzzle, straight top line, wide at the pins, a deep body with firm fleshing.
The cows have good milking qualities, the udder is compact with medium sized teats, well spaced and has the appearance of being able to produce ample milk and be a long weaning regular breeder.
Statistics
- Winter in or out
- Hardy
- Improves any crossbred dam
- Docile temperament
- Regular breeders
- Manageable
- Tried and trusted
- Bluegrey sire
- Reliable milkers
- Originally dual purpose
- Easy calving
Distribution
Whitebred Shorthorn are being conserved in the UK and was classified as critical by the RBST in 2004.
This article was published in thecattlesite.com
