Gloucester Cattle are an ancient breed,
numerous in the Severn Vale as early as the 13th century. They were
valued for their milk (producing double Gloucester Cheese), their beef,
and for producing strong and docile oxen.
However, in the last two centuries,
outbreaks of disease, the introduction of other breeds, and the development
of intensive farming, led to such a reduction in their numbers that
by 1972 only one herd remained.
Fortunately, at its dispersal sale
a group of purchasers determined that the breed should survive. It has
done so. The Gloucester Cattle Society was revived and, since then cattle,
numbers have increased from near extinction to over 700 registered females.
The cows are docile and amenable
and respond well to individual care. They take well to hand milking
and make ideal house cows. They have a flat lactation curve giving an
even production for up to 300 days. This is kind to their udders and
helps the longevity for which they are renowned, often breeding for
12 - 15 years.
Under appropriate management, the
dairy strains will average 700 gallons per heifer and 8850 gallons per
cow, with average butterfat of 3.9%, protein 3.3%, lactose 4.6%, which
makes their milk ideal for farmhouse cheese. Gloucester milk, when produced
alongside other breeds kept in the same conditions, is found to have
a consistently lower bacteria count.
Even the bulls merit the breed's
reputation for docility. They are active and get cows in calf to a tight
calving pattern.
Gloucester steers produce a lean,
quality carcass, with sufficient marbling of fat within the meat to
give excellent flavor. Calves grow fast o the high quality milk of their
dams and, under intensive systems, can finish by 2 years at a good killing-out
ratio of around 52-54%. When fattened on grass they should finish within
3 years.
The management of Gloucesters fits
well into an extensive system. Furthermore, providing the land drains
well and they have some shelter and a dry bed, they will thrive if out-wintered,
growing a good protective coat.
The Gloucester is a Dial Purpose
Breed and therefore attention should be paid to both milk producing
characteristics and body conformation. They are black brown with
black head and legs, a white tail and a white streak down the back and
a white underline.
They have a dark muzzle with dark
skin around the eyes and nose. Cows horns are fine, wide and inclined to
turn up with black tips. The males weigh 750 kg, on average, and the
females weigh 500 kg.
The breed is an irreplaceable part
of our living heritage which should be preserved for future gererations.
The qualities of the Gloucester cattle give good reason for this preservation.
Reference:
Gloucester Cattle Society, Secretary.
Mrs S.J. New, Glebe Farm, Black Bourton, Bampton, Oxon, UK. OX18 2PP
Tel/FAX; 01993 846600
Genus Bos: Cattle Breeds of the
World, 1985, MSO-AGVET (Merck & Co., Inc.), Rahway, N.J.
Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary
of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International.
273 pp.
Photographs:
Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, Mill
Lane, Baylham, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 8LG, UK
Gloucester Cattle Society, Glebe
Farm, Black Bourton, Bampton, Oxon, UK
