British White Cattle

The British White is a traditional cattle breed from the United Kingdom, with a history that began in 1697.

The British White cattle breed is considered a rare and heritage breed, but it is not critically endangered. Its conservation status varies slightly depending on the organization.

In the UK, British White cattle are listed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) on their Watchlist under “Minority” status. In the United States, the American Livestock Conservancy classifies British White cattle as a “Recovering” breed.

Around the world, there are several organizations that help protect and promote the breed, such as the British White Cattle Society in the UK, the British White Cattle Society of Australia, and the British White Cattle Association of America.

Characteristics

Color

These cattle have a white body with black or red points. These points include the nose, muzzle, around the eyes, ears, teats (or small teats on bulls), hooves, and a small spot on the front of each ankle (called a fetlock).

Skin

Cattle with dark skin pigmentation are preferred, but if they do not have it, they are still recognized as British White cattle. Dark skin is considered preferable because it offers protection against the sun, especially around the eyes and udder area, but it is not required.

Head

The head has a good size, with the right length from the eyes to the muzzle. It is free from slugs or small horn growths. In bulls, the head appears strong and masculine, while in cows, it looks finer and more feminine.

Horns

British White cattle do not have horns. They are a polled breed.

So, if you see one with horns, it is likely not a true British White, or it may be confused with the similar-looking White Park cattle, which do have horns.

Body

This cattle breed has a strong and balanced body. Its back is long and straight, and the underline (belly) is level. The body is wide over the loins and hips, with pin bones well apart, especially in bulls.

The hindquarters are long and well-developed, from the hook to the pin bones. The buttocks are muscular and reach down to the hocks, which are straight when viewed from behind and do not turn in or out.

The shoulders are smooth and fit well into the body, the ribs are nicely rounded, and the legs are robust.

Udder

The udder is level and well developed, but not too loose or hanging. The teats are medium-sized, placed evenly, and point straight down.

In bulls, it is important that the small teats (rudimentary teats) are well developed and set wide apart.

Scrotum

The bull’s scrotum is well formed and of good size, with a normal circumference of 15 to 16.5 inches (38 to 42 cm) in yearling bulls.

Size

British White cattle are considered a moderate-sized breed. Mature females have a hip height of approximately 53 inches (135 cm), and mature males reach a hip height of about 57 inches (145 cm).

Lifespan

This breed is hardy and can live quite a long time compared to many other cattle breeds. There is a difference between cows and bulls when it comes to lifespan, as females usually live longer than males.

British White cows can live 12 to 15 years, and sometimes even longer with good care. Bulls usually live a bit less, around 8 to 10 years.

A bull’s lifespan depends on how much he is used for breeding. If a bull is used a lot for breeding, he may live a shorter life. But if he is used less, he can live longer.

Growth Rate

How fast do they grow?

These cattle are able to gain good weight without needing a lot of feed. They convert feed into weight efficiently and do well even on grass-based systems.

The average daily weight gain can change depending on factors like nutrition, management, and environmental conditions, just like with any other livestock.

At the University of Missouri, a British White bull gained 4.04 lbs (1.83 kg) per day during a 140-day test. For each 1 lb (0.45 kg) of weight gain, the bull ate about 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) of feed.

Weight

At birth, the calves weigh 70 to 80 lbs (32 to 36 kg). At maturity, their weight ranges from 1,800 to 2,200 lbs (820 to 1,000 kg), with females averaging around 1,500 lbs (680 kg) and males averaging about 2,000 lbs (910 kg).

Slaughter Time

These cattle can be slaughtered at 18 to 24 months of age if raised on forage-based feed, or at 12 to 14 months in a more intensive feeding system. They can also be slaughtered based on weight, at around 1,100 to 1,200 lbs (500 to 545 kg).

At this weight, they often receive a Choice grade, which means they have good marbling and high meat quality. The “Choice” grade comes from the United States and is part of the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) beef grading system.

The dressing percentage is usually between 63% and 66%, which is considered very good for beef cattle.

This means that a steer weighing 1,200 lbs live can produce a carcass weighing about 756 to 792 lbs (343 to 359 kg).

Temperament

These cattle are calm and easy to handle, and the fact that they are naturally hornless makes them safer, so they can be raised by farmers with less experience.

They do not need special handling and respond well to quiet, low-stress methods. They are also good grazers and do very well on grass-based systems.

British Whites are usually friendly with people and get along well with other animals. The cows are good mothers, and while they protect their calves, they are not aggressive.

Usage

British White cattle are considered a dual-purpose breed, but they are mainly used for beef production today.

Meat

The meat of these cattle has a fine texture and a rich, juicy taste. It is often used for steaks and roasts, as it has good tenderness and natural marbling. Even without heavy grain feeding, British White cattle produce meat that is well-marbled, which means it has small flecks of fat inside the muscle. This fat gives the meat better flavor and softness when cooked.

Milk

Their milk yield is lower than that of a dairy breed, but it can be consistent if you choose to use them for milk production as well. A British White cow is capable of giving around 2.5 to 4.0 gallons (9.5 to 15 liters) of milk per day.

Some small farmers or homesteaders who raise British Whites do occasionally use the milk for home use, like making butter or cheese, but this is not common.

Raising

Feeding

British White cattle are easy to feed and do well on different types of diets. You can choose from two main feeding options, and the cattle develop well on both.

The first option is the grass-fed diet. These cattle do very well on pasture-only feeding. They are great grazers and grow well on grass, hay, and other forage. This option is good if you have enough pasture land and want a natural, slower growth. The beef from grass-fed cattle is often leaner, and some people prefer its taste.

The second option is the grain-fed or mixed diet. This includes grains, silage, and supplements. It helps them gain weight faster and reach market weight at a younger age. This is a common choice for beef producers who want faster growth and well-marbled meat.

It’s also important to provide a fresh source of water that is available at all times.

Environment

These cattle are versatile. You can raise them on pasture alone or in more intensive systems. It all depends on the land you have available and whether you prefer a faster or slower growth rate.

Climate

They can tolerate temperatures from −40°F to 104°F (−40°C to +40°C), so you can raise them in almost any type of climate.

British Whites are very well suited to cool, wet, and mild climates, like those in the United Kingdom. These conditions also support good grass growth, which helps them feed well on pasture.

Thanks to their white coat and dark skin pigmentation, they can handle heat better than many darker-colored breeds. The dark pigment around the eyes and skin helps protect them from sunburn and eye problems.

They also do well in cold environments, as they have a thick winter coat and strong constitution. Farmers in northern U.S., Canada, and high-altitude areas report good performance during winter.

Shelter

It is always a good idea to have shelter, no matter what climate you raise them in, because it can provide shade or warmth, depending on the conditions.

In hotter climates, shelter gives them shade and a place to get out of the sun, helping to prevent sunburn. In colder or even mild climates, it protects them from extreme weather and offers a comfortable, warm space during lower temperatures.

Having dry bedding also helps them stay warm and clean, which can protect their overall health.

How many acres per head of cattle?

In areas with rich pasture and good rainfall, you may need only 1.5 to 2 acres per cow. You can also raise a cow-calf pair on about 2.5 acres.

In dry or poor pasture areas, such as parts of the western U.S., you may need 5 to 10 acres per cow.

Breeding

These cattle are considered a fertile breed.

If you want to breed them, you can start with heifers at around 15 months of age, but this depends on their size and health. It’s also important to check their weight, which should be over 1,100 lbs (500 kg).

Bulls can also start breeding as early as 15 months. They may show some signs of aggressiveness during the breeding period, so it’s important to be careful. However, they are not overly aggressive and can still be managed safely.

You can use one bull to breed up to 50 cows during a breeding season. If the bull is young, you should reduce the number to 25 to 30 cows.

The gestation period can range from 279 to 287 days, with an average of 283 days. British Whites are known for easy calving and few complications. The cows are excellent mothers and produce enough milk to raise healthy calves.

Terminal vs. Maternal

British White cattle are primarily maternal, ideal for producing healthy, well-fed calves, but they also produce high-quality beef, so they can work well in terminal crossbreeding programs too.

Health Issues

In general, British White cattle are known for being a very healthy and hardy breed, with few major health issues. They also have a natural resistance to tuberculosis and viral pneumonia.

Some possible health issues may include internal or external parasites, respiratory infections, digestive issues, nutritional deficiencies, and obesity risk if they are overfed.

Providing good pasture, clean water, basic vaccinations, and regular checkups is usually enough to keep them in excellent condition.

Advantages

• Long lifespan
• Naturally polled, so safer and easier to manage
• Calm and easy to handle
• Efficient grazers
• High dressing percentage
• Fertile
• Good mothers
• Low maintenance
• Good meat quality

Disadvantages

• Slower growth on pasture
• Less common. It can be harder to find or buy in some regions.
• Smaller breed population.

History

The history of the British White cattle begins in 1697, when it was first mentioned during the sale of a herd at Whalley Abbey in Lancashire, northern England.

Its exact origins are not known, but it is believed to be the result of a cross between a polled bull from Cleveland (northeast England) and wild white horned cattle from the Whalley area.

In 1725, the breed began to spread to East Anglia, where it was raised for many years. The oldest herd still existing today is at Woodbastwick in East Anglia and is owned by the Cator family.

From 1921 to 1946, British White cattle were recorded in the same herd book as White Park cattle, but from 1946 onward, each breed had its own separate herd book.

At first, both horned and polled cattle were included. However, since 1948, only polled cattle have been recognized and accepted as part of the British White breed.

While both British White and White Park cattle are white with black or red points, they are distinct breeds. White Park cattle are horned and have a more ancient and unique genetic background.

In the early 1900s, the number of British White cattle was very low, with only around 130 registered animals. However, by the end of the 20th century, the population had grown to over 1,500 in the UK and about 2,500 in the USA. The breed is now also found in Australia, where it was first imported by Mrs. A. Horden in 1958.