CATTLE: South Devon

Country of Origin

Counties Devon and Cornwall, United Kingdom

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Australian Status

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Uses

Beef

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Breed traits

Although originating in the same southeast corner of England, the South Devon is a physically distinct type from the Devon/North Devon Breed.  

They are the largest of the British breeds with a curly coat in varying shades of red.  Although mostly horned, there are some polled cattle among them.  Their gentle disposition has earned them the name of the Gentle Giant.

Fast growing, the bulls stand around 152cm, and the cows around 140cm.  The cows are known for their maternal instincts, high milk quantity, and ease in calving.

“South Devons yield leaner carcases than do other British breeds. In research in the USA and Australia the South Devon has proved to be amongst the foremost breeds for intramuscular fat ('marbling') - a highly desirable trait for taste and tenderness - as opposed to subcutaneous fat.” (The Cattle Site)

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History

Originally a triple purpose cow for milk, beef, and butterfat, in the 1960s the breed moved to specialising in beef. 

“This breed has had a varied history, including being exported to North American colonies, some went on the Mayflower in 1620, and during the Napoleonic wars they supplied the needs of the Royal Navy. The main expansion of the South Devon breed across the whole of the country did not happen until the 20th century.” (The Cattle Site)

The South Devon Herdbook Society was established in 1891 becoming one of 14 British cattle breeds tracing their official herdbook back to the last 19th century.

History in Australia

The cows were introduced into Australian beginning in the 1970s.  In 1985 John and Annette Cassidy of Merilba Station imported 34 South Devon cows from New Zealand to increase the gene pool.

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Breed Organisation

South Devon Cattle Society of Australia

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Population in Australia

2022:  Males: 71; Females: 450; herds: 61

Photo Reference

Photo of a South Devon cow from Wikipedia Commons

 References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Devon_cattle
https://www.thecattlesite.com/breeds/beef/98/south-devon
https://www.merilba.com.au/about-merilba

Page by Carol Wormald, June 2025

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