For people from the south west of Ireland, the site of Irish black cattle dotting the landscape has once again become a familiar thing. These dark cows are one of Europe's oldest breeds, and may well have arrived in Ireland as early as 2000 BC. As well as their presence in Ireland, there are also some small herds in the USA and Canada.
The Celtic Shorthorn is, in all probability, from where the modern day breed of black cattle derives. Known as Bo Chiarrai, or sometimes Buinin, in Irish, their name is clearly an overt reference to their black coats. There is usually only a little white on the hide, usually by the udders.
The breed has become a specialist for living in the kind of conditions which are generally found in the south west of Ireland, especially on smaller, upland farms. Ireland, especially this part of the country, is famous for its high rainfall. This breed of cow does not damage the soil in the way that larger kinds do in wet areas, where the harm done to the soil can be considerable at times.
Sadly, there was a huge decline in the numbers of Irish black cattle in existence in the late 20th century. By 1983, there were estimated to be only 200 pedigree beasts left alive, and that was across the whole world, not just in Ireland. The Irish government has played a major part in rebuilding those numbers, and maintains a herd at the Farmleigh estate, which is in government hands.
This type of cattle are especially well-known the high quality milk that they can produce. Indeed, some notable Irish ice cream manufacturers have made a point of using the milk from Kerry cows, due to its ideal qualities for ice making. A typical cow of this breed, weighing around 375 kilogrammes, can usually produce between 3500 and 4000 grammes of milk per lactation.
Any farmers in search of potent sire stock would be well advised to consider using an Kerry bull. Bulls of this breed are able to transmit a genetic domination of their offspring's characteristics, irrespective of the type of female with which they are mated. This leads to consistent quality of meat and other products.
The first animals belonging to this breed to dwell in North America arrived in the United States in 1818. The breed did well throughout the 19th century, and was a popular choice for farmers. By the 1930s, though, there had been a serious decline in numbers, with few herds left in existence; recent imports from Canada have contributed to a revival in numbers, though.
Irish black cattle have a very old genetic lineage, which is related to the Heren cattle, who live in the Alpine mountains of central Europe, as well as the famous bulls of the Camargue. Skull structure indicates that they might also be related to the wild aurochs of ancient times, though they are much smaller. They truly represent an agricultural link to a bygone age, and were the first cows to be bred specifically for their milk.
The Celtic Shorthorn is, in all probability, from where the modern day breed of black cattle derives. Known as Bo Chiarrai, or sometimes Buinin, in Irish, their name is clearly an overt reference to their black coats. There is usually only a little white on the hide, usually by the udders.
The breed has become a specialist for living in the kind of conditions which are generally found in the south west of Ireland, especially on smaller, upland farms. Ireland, especially this part of the country, is famous for its high rainfall. This breed of cow does not damage the soil in the way that larger kinds do in wet areas, where the harm done to the soil can be considerable at times.
Sadly, there was a huge decline in the numbers of Irish black cattle in existence in the late 20th century. By 1983, there were estimated to be only 200 pedigree beasts left alive, and that was across the whole world, not just in Ireland. The Irish government has played a major part in rebuilding those numbers, and maintains a herd at the Farmleigh estate, which is in government hands.
This type of cattle are especially well-known the high quality milk that they can produce. Indeed, some notable Irish ice cream manufacturers have made a point of using the milk from Kerry cows, due to its ideal qualities for ice making. A typical cow of this breed, weighing around 375 kilogrammes, can usually produce between 3500 and 4000 grammes of milk per lactation.
Any farmers in search of potent sire stock would be well advised to consider using an Kerry bull. Bulls of this breed are able to transmit a genetic domination of their offspring's characteristics, irrespective of the type of female with which they are mated. This leads to consistent quality of meat and other products.
The first animals belonging to this breed to dwell in North America arrived in the United States in 1818. The breed did well throughout the 19th century, and was a popular choice for farmers. By the 1930s, though, there had been a serious decline in numbers, with few herds left in existence; recent imports from Canada have contributed to a revival in numbers, though.
Irish black cattle have a very old genetic lineage, which is related to the Heren cattle, who live in the Alpine mountains of central Europe, as well as the famous bulls of the Camargue. Skull structure indicates that they might also be related to the wild aurochs of ancient times, though they are much smaller. They truly represent an agricultural link to a bygone age, and were the first cows to be bred specifically for their milk.
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