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Cattle
Shetland
2008 Watchlist; Category 4, At Risk.
Shetland Cattle developed in the harsh environment of their native islands, where they were used as a triple-purpose breed, although their role as draught oxen and meat producers were subsidiary to their milk without which the Crofter and his family could not have survived. As the subsistence economy of the Islands improved, the need for the breed declined and by the 1950s there were fewer than 40 pure bred animals remaining.
In the early 1900s, with improved transport links to Scotland, many cows were crossbred because of their efficiency of production and ability to rear a large valuable calf. Today the same ability makes them a useful suckler cow on poor land. Their adaptation to extensive systems of management also suits them for conservation grazing, and the breed also finds favour with Smallholders because of its hardiness and thrifty nature.
The Shetland is fine-boned, short-legged and deep-bodied, with short fine horns. Cows stand 44 to 50 inches at the withers and weigh 300 to 500kg depending upon the conditions and quality of grazing. In 1910, the Breed Society accepted animals of all colours though black-and-white predominated. Today most animals are black-and-white, but some other colours have reappeared.