Cattle : British White

Country of Origin

Great Britain 

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Australian Status

 

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Uses

Beef

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Breed traits

British White cattle are white, either red pointed or black pointed. The black hooves are complimented by black points on the legs usually. Despite the white hair, the skin is a dark pigment. Some have extensive black scattered over the white hide; some a few speckles. The breed is polled.

A very docile breed, a delight to handle and show. Now a beef breed, they were originally dual purpose milk and beef. The cows have well shaped udders so calves can suckle from all quarters by turn, to gain maximum growth. The black points make strong hooves, and protect their eyes, noses and udders from sunburn. They enjoy the sun and are very tolerant of hot climates.

The cows are excellent mothers that calf easily, and have strongly retained the ancient herd system of one minding the nursery of calves while the rest gaze and water. A hardy breed that thrives on rough grazing.

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History

The British White is one of the oldest breeds in Britain with direct links with the ancient indigenous wild white cattle of Great Britain. This breed originated from Whalley Abbey, Lancashire; the herd was dispersed in 1697 and spread to other areas.

In 1765 some of the original white polled cattle from this farm were taken by Mary Assheton into Gunton Park, Norfolk. Gunton Park cattle are said to have been the foundations of two herds, one near Aylsham which not much is known about but became almost extinct by the plague in 1860, only two animals remained. From these two the herd was built up again to help in the foundation of many other herds. The second herd founded from Gunton stock was that at Woodbastwick, established in 1840, by the purchase of one or two animals at a sale held by the fourth Lord Suffield.

Despite similar looks to White Park and White Galloway, British Whites are genetically different. They were once known as Park cattle, so to clear any confusion were dubbed British White.

History in Australia

First brought to Australia in 1958. In 1984 more purebreds came in, and in 1986 English semen was made available. In these ways more pure lines have been built up

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Breed Organisation

The British White Cattle Society of Australia Ltd., the original Society was formed 1983.

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Australian Population

pre-2019:  370 cows, 704 counting upgrades

2019: an estimate of over 600 registered breeding females.

2022: Males: 106; Females: 749; Herds: 29

Photo Credit

British White bull on Foxridge Farm Arabian Stud, Coff's Harbour, NSW. Kindly supplied by owner and manager Lisa Smith.

Page by Janet Lane

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