BRITISH WHITE
As well as the Black Angus Stud, we also have begun to breed British White cattle. It is our strong belief that this breed has great potential in commercial markets with the breeds strong milking and beef attributes.
We have already begun expanding our British White herd with over 20 new calves being born in Spring 2013 sourced as embryos from a large and well known stud in Texas, USA.
Location:
Thornton Victoria
Australia
BRITISH WHITE HISTORY
British White cattle originated in Britain,derived from the horned White Park cattle, which were highly regarded and kept as ornamental and sporting animals dating back to the 1600s. Although theirexact genetic origins are not fully understood it is believed White Park crossed with Shorthorn led to the development of this unique polled breed. The original herd were kept in the park of Whalley Abbey, near Clitheroe, and in the early 19th century the herd was moved to Norfolk and sold off in small lots to nobility in the surrounding areas. By the late 20th Century their numbers grew to many parts of the world including most parts of Europe, UK, USA and Australia. The first British Whites were imported into Australia in 1958 by Mrs A Horden, a small herd which originated in Norfolk.
ATTRIBUTES
British White cattle are a naturally polledbreed that are white with black or red points including ears, feet, eyelids, nose and sometimes teats. Some colouring does usually occur on the body and the skin beneath their fur is usually grey coloured. They are quite a versatilebreed, having strong beef and milk qualities.
Some of their attributes include:
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Mothering abilities- this breed is known for its ability to appoint a “guard cow” that will look after and protect calves while other herd members graze.
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Naturally polled or hornless- as this gene is dominant in the breed it is an advantage in cross breeding programs
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Dark Pigmented Skin- this attribute is important in areas of high sun exposure as it eliminate skin cancer problems
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Heat Tolerance- this breed has a very high heat tolerance and will often be seenlying in the sun. This is especially beneficial in the Australian climate
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Natural resistance to tuberculosis and viral pneumonia
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Excellent foragers- this breed has an extraordinary ability to convert low grade pasture to maintain body weight and successfully rear calves. British Whites have been proven to have a higher feed conversion and weight gain ration against other beef breeds (USA and UK)
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High carcass yield. This breed shows great potential in improving carcass yieldsespecially in cross breeding programs.