History and Attributes of the Devon
In fact some authorities consider the Devon's
origin to be prehistoric, the assumption being that the breed descended
directly from Bos lonqifrons, the smaller type of aboriginal
cattle in Britain.
In fact, according to an offical reference
material compiled by the Devon Cattle Breeders Society, Somerset,
England; Devon Cattle - The Red Rubies, it appears that the
Red Cattle of North Devon may have contributed to the Hereford and
other British breeds.
The Devon was previously classified as a
dual-purpose breed. Over the past half century, however, the breed
has--through selection--evolved as a beef-type breed which is registered
and promoted by the Devon Cattle Association, Inc.
A Milking Devon strain (unique to America)
has been maintained and is represented by the American Milking Devon
Cattle Association.
The native home of the Devon is in southwestern
England, primarily in the counties of Devon, Somerset, Cornwall,
and Dorset. For centuries, herds of red cattle grazed the grass
covered hills of this cool, moist region.
History records that the Romans took notice
of the red cattle when they occupied this area in 55 B.C. There
is some evidence that the seagoing Phoenicians may have brought
some ancestral red stock from northern Africa or the Middle East
to Southwestern England during their visitations for tin.
Some animals breeders speculate that this
might account for the Devon's remarkable adaptation to hot climates
in spite of its centuries of exposure to the damp, chilly hills
of England's Atlantic coast.
The early improvers of the Devon breed were
Francis Quartly and his brothers William and Henry, and John Tanner
Davy and his brother William.
It is generally agreed that Francis Quartly
accomplished for the Devon what the Collings did for the Shorthorn.
Colonel John Tanner Davy founded the Devon herdbook in 1850. In
1884, the Devon Cattle Breeders' Society was organized and took
over the herdbook.
Only 131 years after Columbus discovered
North America, the first Devon cattle reached what is now the United
States. The year was 1623.
The ship Charity brought a consignment
of red cattle (one bull and three heifers) from Devonshire to Edward
Winslow, the agent for Plymouth Colony. These red cattle of Devonshire,
brought in by the Pilgrims, were probably the first purebred cattle
to reach North America.
During its long history in the United States,
numerous breeders have been instrumental in bringing the Devon in
America to a high degree of excellence.
From the earlier dual-purpose type, beef
conformation has been enhanced while retaining adequate milk production.
Rate of maturity has been accelerated.
The more common criticisms of light hindquarters
and sickle hocks have been reduced to minimum. And, in keeping with
newer concepts in America of "ideal" beef form, Devons have been
made longer, taller, and trimmer but, fortunately, not to extremes
as is true for some "exotic" breeds.
Although the Devon was originally a horned
breed, American stockmen developed a polled strain of purebred Devons.
It traces back to the bull Missouri 9097, a hornless "sport" or
mutation that was born in 1915 in the purebred Devon herd owned
by Case and Elling in Concordia, Missouri.
Devon cattle are red in color, varying in
shade from a rich deep red to a light red or chestnut color. A bright
ruby red color is preferred and accounts for their nickname, the
"Red Rubies."
The hair is of medium thickness and is often
long and curly during the winter; however, coats are short and sleek
in summer.
Modern Devons have adequate size and scale
but are not "horsey" big. Mature bulls in good working condition
weigh from 1700 to about 2200 pounds with a few in top flesh condition
exceeding the later figure.
Mature cows range in weight from about 950
to about 1300 pounds. Thus, Devons have enough size to be practical
and profitable without the handicap of excessive maintenance cost.
Calving problems are seldom encountered although a growing stress
on using larger bulls has increased the incidence of difficult births.
Male calves average about 75 pounds at birth but may range from
about 55 to 95 pounds. Heifer calves average about 70 at birth but
may range from about 45 to 90 pounds.
The functional characteristics of the Devon
make them a valuable "genetic tool" for the commercial beef industry.
The breed has long been noted for its fertility, calving ease, docility,
hardiness and ability to adapt to temperature extremes.
The well-developed heat-regulating mechanism
of the scrotum of Devon bulls give them an unusual ability to remain
fertile despite extremely high environmental temperatures.
Devons are active good "walkers" and are
excellent rustlers and grazers. In England, they are known as "the
Beef Breed Supreme at Grass." Their ability to efficiently utilize
grass and other forages has heightened their popularity in areas
like southern Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand.
The photographs and information contained
on this page are provided courtesy of Dr. Stewart H. Fowler,
Beef Cattle Consultant, Milton, Florida 32570-4178.
