Devon cattle come from the southwestern peninsula of England, where the
breed was developed over several centuries. The name comes from Devonshire, though similar cattle were also raised in the neighboring countries of Cornwall Somerset and Doret. Devon were valued for the production of both high quality beef and the rich milk used in Devonshire Cream.
The Pilgrims brought Devon cattle with them to New England beginning in
1623. The hardiness and practicality of the breed combined with the ready
availability of Devon cattle near the ports of departure, made Devons an
obvious choice for immigrants to the Americas.
The breed became well established in New England during the 1600's and spread down the coast as far as Florida during the 1700's and 1800's. Cattle also went west, as Devon oxen were the draft animals of choice on the Oregon Trail. Herd books for the breed have been published since 1855.
By late 1800's, the Devon had gradually been replaced by the Shorthorn, a
more productive multi-purpose breed; by 1900, Devon were rarely seen outside of New England where it is valued for hardiness and the ability to thrive under rugged conditions, qualities in which it was superior to the
Shorthorn.
By the 1950's, the market for dual-purpose cattle had disappeared, and the Devon breed was nearly extinct. The breeder community split. Some breeders select their animals intensively for beef to compete with other beef breeds-the Beef Devon breed. Other breeders chose to select their animals for traditional purposes: milk, meat and draft-the American Milking Devon, closest to the breed's original type, is unique to the United States.
The Milking Devon breed reached its low point in the 1970's, when fewer than 100 cattle remained. However, the persistence of a few New England dairy farmers and teamsters protected the breed from extinction and today, there are over 400 Milking Devon cattle in existence and the population is increasing. The breed is a favorite exhibition animal at historic sites because of its attractiveness and well-documented history.
Milking Devon cattle are ruby red with black tipped white horns. Cattle are
medium in size, with cows averaging 1,100 pounds and bulls 1,600 pounds. The appearance is compact yet fine, with straight top-line, square set legs, and well formed udders. The lighter Milking Devon bulls are said to make the best oxen.
Please take time to go look at these magnificent animals.
Visitors are welcome at the farm.
If you can't make it there please check out our image gallery.
