Key Characteristics

White Park cows are long lived, fertile and maternal. They make good suckler cows and can breed well into their teens. They are a hardy breed and can outwinter in most conditions. They calve easily. In one study, 63 out of 63 calving were recorded as easy. 

• White Parks are robust animals with plenty of size and length.
• They are a medium sized breed. Cows weigh around 600kg and bulls 900kg.
• They are usually white with black points and long curving horns.
• Occasionally the black points can be red. 

History

• The White Park is probably the most ancient breed of cattle native to the British Isles.
• Herds of these cattle were mentioned in Wales in the ninth century and in the thirteenth century in Scotland and northern England
• Some of these herds remain in existence today
• At the onset of World War II some animals were transported to North America to help preserve the breed.

 

Uses

Animals can finish within 30 months off good forage. The White Park is noted for the quality of its beef with especially good marbling.

The White Park is a tough and thrifty breed, ideal for conservation grazing. The breed thrives on a wide variety of grazing types including poor coarse forage.

The White Park is genetically distant from most breeds of cattle and White Park crosses have a great deal of hybrid vigour.

Did you know?

In 1973, the RBST chose a White Park as its logo. Since then, numbers of White Parks have increased although they remain on the Watchlist. 

Breed Societies

For more information visit the White Park Cattle Society