Rare English bloodlines |
Traditional Qualities |
Built like a brick |
A Brief History
In about 1780, Richard Hall was among a small band of Herefordshire farmers that saw the potential in a breed of cattle that is now known as the Hereford. Richard and his descendants bred and registered these cattle for nearly 150 years and Norman Hall (my father) was destined to take over the herd. However, in 1929 the Great Depression struck and Norman immigrated in Australia. Identified in Volume 1 of the Hereford Herd Book, Cotmore Herefords was the oldest herd of Hereford cattle in the world, renowned for breeding females and for which there are any records.
In our retirement we set about tracking down the bloodline. Eventually we found it among the “Traditional” Hereford population in England where it is very strong. Traditional Herefords, ones that contain only English Hereford bloodlines (as distinct from Modern Herefords that have emerged since the 1970’s and contain North American Bloodlines with short pedigrees) are an endangered breed of native English farm animal, nominated on the register of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. In 1992 there was only about 200 breeding females remaining. In 2013 we imported over 100 Traditional Hereford embryos into Australia that are descended from the family herd. The first of these calves were born in the spring of 2014 with more to come in each of the next two years. On learning of our project, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust of the UK asked us to participate in the recovery of the breed as they wanted an “insurance” population to protect against disease, especially Mad Cow and Foot and Mouth disease, neither of which exist in Australia. Cotmore Downs was specially selected for the breeding of these cattle.
In our retirement we set about tracking down the bloodline. Eventually we found it among the “Traditional” Hereford population in England where it is very strong. Traditional Herefords, ones that contain only English Hereford bloodlines (as distinct from Modern Herefords that have emerged since the 1970’s and contain North American Bloodlines with short pedigrees) are an endangered breed of native English farm animal, nominated on the register of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. In 1992 there was only about 200 breeding females remaining. In 2013 we imported over 100 Traditional Hereford embryos into Australia that are descended from the family herd. The first of these calves were born in the spring of 2014 with more to come in each of the next two years. On learning of our project, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust of the UK asked us to participate in the recovery of the breed as they wanted an “insurance” population to protect against disease, especially Mad Cow and Foot and Mouth disease, neither of which exist in Australia. Cotmore Downs was specially selected for the breeding of these cattle.
What is so exclusive about Cotmore Herefords
- Cotmore Herefords will be a full herd of “registered” Traditional Hereford cattle, all descended from the original Cotmore herd and made up of mostly English genetics but utilising Australian Traditional genetics if they can be proven – that means no “commercial” animals.
- Cotmore Herefords will sell its stock as having rare (original) Hereford genetics and descended from the oldest herd of registered cattle in the world to “commercial” Hereford cattle producers.
- Cotmore Herefords will develop the secondary market to support our commercial customers gain entry into high value meat markets to take advantage of its unique position as a “rare breed”, having only “original English genetics” and the “long family connection with the breed”.
Traditional Herefords selected as Donors
The process of choosing the donor bulls and cows was extensive to ensure that only English Bloodines are present in the progeny. After months of research 3 Bulls and 8 Cows from 3 English farms was selected. Click on the images below to see the details on the donors
The Results
2014 marked the start of the Cotmore Hereford Herd. After the donor embryos were transplanted into recipient cattle at the property, Traditional Hereford calves were born in August 2014. Click the image below to view the start of the herd.
For the full story and details on how to get involved with this ground breaking project and more information on the Cotmore Herefords Brand please contact us here