Town & Country
Moo-ving on up
THERE’S a rare-breed success story at Courteenhall estate in Northamptonshire, where Traditional Hereford cattle are now munching and crunching the turf after a 70-year absence—a project that benefited from guidance from the new consultancy programme created by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST).
‘We think we can do more for biodiversity and the soil with the native breed’s “Golden Hoof”,’ says owner Johnny Wake’
The hardy breed, with its red coats and white faces and back and belly stripes (and shorter legs than the Modern Hereford), had its first Herd Book published in 1846 and was much exported during the 20th century, particularly to the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South America. Much like the Angus, the Traditional Herefords that were developed abroad were eventually imported back to the UK in the face of competition from Continental beef breeds, but their popularity caused the native bloodlines to become endangered. Docile, yet adventurous and sure footed, they are ideal for conservation grazing, not to mention high-quality beef.
‘We think we can do a lot more both for biodiversity and for the soil with the native breed’s “Golden Hoof”,’ comments
