Whitebred Shorthorn facts for kids

The Whitebred Shorthorn is a special type of beef cattle. It comes from the north-west part of England and the south-west of Scotland. These cows are always white. They are related to other Shorthorn cattle, but those can be many colors. Whitebred Shorthorns are strong and healthy. They are good at eating tough grass on hills. This helps keep different plants growing in those areas.

What Are Whitebred Shorthorns Used For?

Whitebred Shorthorns are often used to create a new type of cow. Farmers use white Whitebred Shorthorn bulls. They breed them with black Galloway cows. The calves from this mix are called Blue Greys.

Blue Greys are very popular. They get good traits from both their parents. They also have a unique blue-grey color. This color is called roan. Since Blue Greys don't always have calves that are also blue-grey, farmers usually create new ones each time. They do this by breeding Whitebred Shorthorns with Galloways.

The History of Whitebred Shorthorns

Nobody knows the exact start of the Whitebred Shorthorn. People first noticed them in the late 1800s. Back then, they were known as the Cumberland White.

Around that time, two farmers became famous. Mr. David Hall from Larriston, Newcastleton, and Mr. Andrew Park from Stelshaw, Bailey, Cumberland, sold calves. These calves were Blue-grey and were sold at special sales in Newcastleton.

After 1900, more Whitebred cattle were raised. Most of them were bulls used for breeding. Soon, so many were sold that a whole day was needed at the Newcastleton auctions.

In 1962, almost 200 farmers met. They formed the Whitebred Shorthorn Association. This group helped manage the breed. In 1964, the first official sales were held. These took place in Newcastleton and Bellingham.

The first sale in Carlisle happened in 1965. Today, the breed association still holds sales in Carlisle. These sales happen in spring and autumn.