Glamorgan cattle facts for kids
Glamorgan Cattle (called Gwartheg Morgannwg in Welsh) are a very rare type of British cow. They were once common in parts of Wales, like Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon. People thought these cows had completely disappeared. But then, in the 1970s, a small group of them was found!
You can spot Glamorgan cattle by their special look. They have a lovely chestnut-brown coat. They also have a wide white stripe that runs along their backbone, down their tail, and under their belly.
Why Glamorgan Cattle Almost Vanished
Glamorgan cows were known for being excellent milk producers. Their milk had a lot of butterfat, which is great for making butter. Even King George III liked them! He had his own herd of these cows on his farm in Windsor. He also used Glamorgan oxen (male cattle) to help with farm work.
However, these cows were not the best for producing a lot of beef (meat). In the 1800s, farmers started mixing Glamorgan cattle with other breeds. They used breeds like Hereford cattle, Ayrshire cattle, and Shorthorn cattle. This was done to get more beef from the animals.
Over time, this mixing, called crossbreeding, caused the pure Glamorgan breed to almost disappear. Farmers also started choosing other cow breeds. By the 1920s, most people thought the Glamorgan cattle were completely extinct.
Bringing the Breed Back
In 1979, a man named Major 'Teddy' Savage, who lived near Hastings in East Sussex, decided to sell his cows. He said some of them were Glamorgan cattle, along with Pembroke cattle and Gloucester cattle. He first offered them to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. However, the Trust did not buy them because there was no proof that they were truly Glamorgan cattle.
The Pembroke cattle were sold at a local market and have since disappeared. But the West Glamorgan County Council heard about the sale. They decided to buy the Glamorgan cattle. They brought them to Margam Country Park in Neath Port Talbot. This was done to make sure the breed survived. This herd is still at the park today, and you can see them there.
Glamorgan cattle look similar in color to the Austrian Pinzgau cattle. It is not clear if they are related. Still, Margam Country Park bought a Pinzgau bull in 1994. This was done to help improve the Glamorgan cattle's bloodline and make the herd stronger.
