[Harebell]

Does anyone know the differences between the various native red cattle breeds i.e. Red Poll, Lincoln, Sussex & Red Devon?

I've been trying to read up about these breeds but I can't find the breed standard for all of them.  However, they seem to be similar in size and weight  - although perhaps the Devon is maybe a bit on the smaller size?  The Red Poll, Lincoln & Sussex seem to be naturally polled while the Devon is only 50% polled.  The Red Poll seems to be more dual purpose than the other 3 breeds too?  All seemed to be described as docile and easy calving/good mothers (but then everyone seems to describe their breed as such!)

I know the Red Devon is popular with some small/specialist farms but I don't hear so much about the Poll, Lincoln & Sussex, although they too seems suitable for the smallholder.

[SallyintNorth]

I'm only familiar with the gorgeous Ruby Red Devon, so can't help with info about the others - but please let us know what you find out, as I've wondered too!

Btw, the Red Devon was triple purpose not so very long ago - which is why some of us rue the move to polled stock. 

If you want native type, though, you have to check the pedigree of the parents... Lots of Canadian and NZ blood in recent Genus bulls 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I knew a lady, sue Jones who kept red poll cattle for cheesemaking, but had to give up due to problems with TB. Her company was Llanboidy cheese, it may be worth googleing. Sorry I cant be of more help. I myself love the Devon cows. What is the difference between north snd south Devon cows in terms of milkiness?

[SallyintNorth]

I love the Devon cows. What is the difference between north snd south Devon cows in terms of milkiness?

These days, I'm blessed if I know!!!

Time was, the Red Devon was triple purpose, then it became more of a beef animal for very rough grazing.  Now it's almost entirely a suckler cow, usually a very milky one, thrifty and productive.   The meat is marbled, too.

As I've always understood it, the South Devon was a milker.  That's what they used to do in South Devon, on all that lush grazing, dairying.  Nowadays, up here at least, the South Devon is a beef animal.  Lots of Limousin farmers have been bringing in some South Devon to get placidity and easier calvings.  It's all very confusing.

Oh, and The North Devon aka the Ruby Red Devon, is red.  The South Devon is usually more of a golden colour.

[SallyintNorth]

A red native missing off your list, Harebell - the Luing.  Originally a hybrid, Shorthorn on Highland, but now a breed in its own right.  We've got one, she's just had her first calf, (to our Angus) and is doing very well.  She's very quiet, too.  We can't tell her apart from our Red Devon crosses at a distance.

There are red Anguses, too, of course, and red Galloways, Shetlands, and probably others.  I don't think those ones all necessarily all breed true for colour, though.

[Harebell]

I'm only familiar with the gorgeous Ruby Red Devon, so can't help with info about the others - but please let us know what you find out, as I've wondered too!

Btw, the Red Devon was triple purpose not so very long ago - which is why some of us rue the move to polled stock. 

If you want native type, though, you have to check the pedigree of the parents... Lots of Canadian and NZ blood in recent Genus bulls 

It seems the Lincoln & Sussex used to be horned in the past too (where as the Red Poll has always been polled) and while I like the look of horns, I prefer having polled cattle, so a breed that was naturally polled would be a big plus for me.  The Sussex used to be a dual draft/beef animal while the Lincoln was a dual milk/beef animal.  Red Poll has remained a dual milk/beef breed (although more on the beef side now).  Interesting the Devon used to be triple purpose.

Until a couple of years ago we always had a small suckler herd of continental x hereford types on the family arable farm. For a variety of reasons we slowly sold off the herd but I would love to have a few suckler cows again in the future.  I'm a sucker for native and rare breeds but we'd need something that would fit our farm.  These lovely red breeds seem worth looking into, so I'll carry on my research.  I had forgotten about Luing but since we're on lowland chalk arable land/water meadows the southern breeds might be more suitable than the Luing?

Dreaming of cow shopping...maybe one day!