British White

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The British White is a native English cattle breed dating back as far as the 16th Century. It is a dual purpose animal, producing both beef and milk.

Most bovine historians believe that the breed of cattle now known as British Whites go back to a breed of cattle found in the mountainous regions of Scandinavia around the 8th or 9th century. These cattle were characterised as having white bodies with black or red tips on the ears, eyes, muzzle and teats. Some of these animals were proably tranferred to Great Britain by Vikings, either through trade or conquest.

The first written records indicate a herd of naturally polled (hornless) cattle in Northern England in the 17th century. Records show that the cows were kept in the park of Whalley Abbey, in the Forest of Bowland near Clitheroe. After that time, the major portion of the herd was moved to Norfolk, in the early 1800s. This herd was sold off in small lots to nobility in the surrounding countryside. Nobles retained control of the animals for several decades due to their outstanding meat quality and ease of care.

An impending invasion by Germany in 1941 caused concern in Britain about Hitler's intentions. It was feared that Hitler might try to detroy the breed entirely.^{[citation needed]} Five cows and one bull were shipped to a prison farm in Pennsylvania. These and other bulls shipped from England form the basis of the British White breed in North America.

Currently there are only about perhaps 2500 of these animals in the US. They are scattered on family farms and still considered somewhat rare. Breeders are currently engaged in increasing awareness of a breed that is gentle and of fine quality, both in meat and milk.

More information may be found by visiting the association links below.

[edit] External links

• The British White Cattle Society, UK
• The British White Cattle Society of Australia
• British White Cattle Association Of America