Watchlist
Cattle
British White
Watchlist; Category 5, Minority.
The British White can trace its recorded history back to the sixteenth century, although the origins of the breed probably go back to much earlier times. The polled (hornless) characteristic of the breed suggests possible Scandinavian influence.
A herd of white polled cattle was known to be running in the “Lords Park” at Whalley Abbey, Lancashire at the time of the dissolution, and cattle from this source were used to found other herds when it was dispersed in 1697. Eventually by the mid-nineteenth century Norfolk became the stronghold of the breed. The breed society was formed in 1918 and now has almost 300 members. Cattle have been exported to Australia and the USA, each of which has its own thriving associations, and semen has also been exported to several other countries. A particular characteristic of the breed is a dark pigmented skin under the white hair, which allows the cattle to tolerate hot climates.
The British White is a polled breed of medium size. It is white in colour with black or occasionally red points on the ears, muzzle, eyelids, feet and teats. The cows have good mothering ability and ease of calving, and British White beef is succulent and tender. These cattle are natural foragers, thriving in extensive grazing conditions. Cows typically weigh 500-700 kg and bulls 800-1000kg.