Welsh Black Cattle

Welsh black cattle were once used as currency in Wales and referred to as black gold.

Summary

The Welsh black cattle is one of the oldest breeds in the United Kingdom and existed in pre-Roman Britain. For approximately 1,000 years, Welsh black cattle have been bred in Britain and Wales for dairy and beef production. There were two main types of this breed: the Northern, known for their beef, and Southern, known for dairy. Welsh black cattle, as they are known today, are a combination of the Northern and Southern breeds and are best suited for beef production.

Welsh Black Cattle Facts

• Welsh black cattle are an ancient, majestic breed that have been around for thousands of years.
• Although it is common for Welsh black cattle to have black coats, they can have red coats, too.
• Welsh black cattle are unbothered by rain, snow, or harsh winds, making them tough in the face of a storm.
• Welsh black bulls can be as heavy as a compact car, weighing in at 2,500 pounds!
• Welsh black cattle are considered endangered in many countries.

Scientific Name

The scientific name for Welsh black cattle is Bos taurus taurus, a subspecies of the Bos taurus–the general cow or bull–that belongs to the bovidae family and the mammalia class. It was determined through genetic testing that Welsh black cattle are related to an extinct breed, aurochs, which were vividly described by medieval writers as almost as large as an elephant!

Welsh Black Cattle Appearance

The majority of Welsh black cattle have black coats, which is to be expected from their name, but some others have a recessive gene that makes their coats red. Their long, dense coats mitigate the effects of snow, rain, and wind while also protecting them from sunburn and insects. In the spring, Welsh black cattle shed their coats, which helps them cool off as temperatures increase. They also have tough hooves that protect them from rocky terrain. Welsh black cattle may or may not have horns, while the horned variety have white horns with black tips. Welsh black cows weigh between 1,100 and 1,400 pounds, while Welsh black bulls weigh between 1,900 and 2,500 pounds. While Welsh black cattle aren’t the heaviest breed, you might be surprised that they weigh more than a polar bear!

Welsh Black Cattle Behavior

Welsh black cattle are known to be tough and dependable. From pastures to the rolling hills of the countryside, they thrive in a variety of environments. Welsh black cattle don’t mind harsh weather either: in rain and snow they graze peacefully and happily. Welsh black cattle are known for their distinct mothering style. Mothers, or dams, prioritize their calves over everything else, providing their offspring with the sustenance and care they need to thrive.

Habitat

Welsh black cattle are strong and flexible, making them uniquely suited to harsh terrain. Their tough hooves allow them to traverse the mountainous regions of Wales, while their adaptable coats, which they shed in warmer temperatures, protect them from the harshest of elements. Although other breeds of cattle would search for shelter in inclement weather, Welsh black cattle pay no mind to the storms or snow that their habitats present.

Welsh Black Cattle Diet

Welsh black cattle feed on grass and hay from pastures and farms. Their diet distinguishes them from other cattle because they can feed on rough grasses, while other breeds dislike this diet and cannot maintain their weight when presented with such rough fodder. Black welsh cattle also have an exemplary digestive system, creating lean muscle with little fat.

Welsh Black Cattle Threats

Among the biggest threats to Welsh black cattle is the meat production industry. In fact, Welsh black cattle are considered endangered in their native country of Wales and in Australia. Other threats include Malignant Catarrhal Fever, an asymptomatic virus, and Johne’s Disease, which is caused by bacteria in the small intestine, both of which negatively affect the health of Welsh black cattle. Johne’s Disease is contagious and often fatal to Welsh black cattle. Annual testing of Welsh black cattle for Johne’s Disease helps identify its presence, which can then mitigate its effects on the rest of the herd.

Welsh Black Cattle Reproduction and Life Cycle

The mothering instincts of Welsh black cattle are notable and praiseworthy. Females initially birth their first calves at between 15 and 20 months of age, and their calves are generally born without complication, in excellent condition. Mothers, or dams, provide all of the necessary resources for their calves to grow with vigor. Welsh black cattle grow rapidly and can live up to 20 years if they maintain their health and do not succumb to any of the aforementioned ailments.

Welsh Black Cattle Population

Welsh black cattle are an endangered species, as they only live on farms and pastures in small herds in Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and Wales. In Australia, only 184 cows existed as of 2022. Although Welsh black cattle population figures are difficult to estimate, there is evidence that their numbers continue to dwindle, even though breeders and veterinary surgeons have tried in increase their numbers though reproduction and disease prevention.

Animals Similar to Welsh Black Cattle

• Highland Cattle: Highland cattle are considered to be strong, sturdy animals that are used for meat production like the Welsh black cattle.
• Cow: Welsh black cattle fit into the general cow category. However, cows can be used for more than just meat production; many cows are domesticated to produce dairy products. Cows can also weigh up to two tons like Welsh black cattle.
• Ox: Oxen are working animals that feed on grains and grass. Oxen also have large horns similar to some types of Welsh black cattle.
• Auroch: Aurochs are an extremely large breed of cattle, but they are now extinct. Most breeds of domesticated cattle have descended from the auroch. For instance, Welsh black cattle have been found to be directly genetically related to aurochs.

Related Animals:

• English longhorn cattle
• Fleckvieh cattle
• Highland cattle
• Lineback cattle
• Nelore cattle
• Nguni cattle

https://rarebreedstrustofaustralia.tidyhq.com/public/pages/sc-welsh-black https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/lifestyle-entertainment/4848516/Welsh-blacks-a-tough-sell#:~:text=While%20other%20cattle%20would%20%22blast,careful%20around%20people%2C%20she%20says

1. ITIS, Available here: https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=898717#null
2. Welsh Black Cattle Society, Available here: https://www.welshblackcattlesociety.com/online-database.html
3. The Cattle Site, Available here: https://www.thecattlesite.com/breeds/beef/30/welsh-black/
4. Gaggenau, The Magazine, Available here: https://www.gaggenau-themagazine.com/culture/the-welsh-black-cow-beauty-from-darkness
5. Cattle International Series, Weebly, Available here: https://cattleinternationalseries.weebly.com/welsh-black.html
6. Petkeen, Available here: https://petkeen.com/welsh-black-cattle/
7. Welch Black Cattle Society, Available here: https://www.welshblackcattlesociety.com/calf-colostrum-2013.html
8. IA State, Available here: https://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/malignant_catarrhal_fever.pdf