Gloucester cattle facts for kids
Gloucester cattle are a special type of cow. They come from Gloucestershire and nearby areas in the west of England. These cattle are known for giving both milk and meat.
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What Do Gloucester Cattle Look Like?
Gloucester cattle are quite large. Cows, calves, and steers are a rich dark brown color. The bulls are almost black. They have a white belly. A white stripe runs along their back and continues over their tail. Most of them have strong white horns with black tips.
A Look Back: History of Gloucester Cattle
These cattle have been around for a long time. People in the Cotswold Hills and the Severn Valley in England used them as far back as the 1200s. They were very important for several reasons.
How Gloucester Cattle Were Used
Historically, Gloucester cattle were valued for their milk. This milk was used to make famous Gloucester cheeses. They were also strong and calm, making them great oxen for pulling carts and farm equipment. After their working lives, they provided good beef.
Saving the Breed
By 1972, there was only one main herd left. The Gloucester cattle were almost gone forever! Luckily, the Gloucester Cattle Society was restarted in 1973. This group worked hard to save the breed.
Today, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) lists them as "At Risk." This means there are still fewer than 750 registered breeding females. In 2021, the RBST reported that numbers had dropped even more. There were only 26 herds in April 2021. This shows how important it is to keep protecting these unique animals.
Gloucester Milk and Famous Cheeses
The milk from Gloucester cattle is perfect for making cheese. It has lots of protein and high butterfat. The butterfat is in tiny droplets, which is great for cheese-making.
Two special cheeses, Single Gloucester and Stinking Bishop, are made only from Gloucester cattle milk. Double Gloucester cheese can now be made from any cow's milk. However, it was traditionally made using milk from Gloucester cattle.
