Downturn seeing decline in rare breeds

Concern is growing for the Whitebred Shorthorn whose fall in numbers sees the breed moving from Category 2 to Category 1, ‘critical’.

This is a result of a second year of decline in numbers for this breed, which has traditionally been bred in the border counties of England and Scotland, with bulls being used primarily to cross with the Galloway to produce the noted Blue Grey, or with the Highland, producing a Cross Highland.

The trust said that the current bad state of the country’s economy and finances was among the chief reasons for the decline.

Conservation officer Claire Barber said: “Because we look at three-year averages, we are only now starting to see the credit crunch effect.

“Over the past year, breeders have experienced problems in selling stock on. They are no less committed to breeding, but we will start to see a reduction in numbers if the market for animals continues to decline.

“As always, we want to draw attention to the excellent work being done by breeders and owners up and down the country. However, we do feel that there is a need for caution as there are growing concerns for a number of breeds.

“For example, with the Cotswold and Whitefaced Woodland sheep there is a worry about lack of registrations. We have seen them moving up the watchlist, indicating that their situation is becoming more serious.”

Looking to the future, RBST is hopeful that two initiatives it is currently funding could see the populations of both Vaynol and Northern Dairy Shorthorn cattle increasing. Under its conservation programme, a new Vaynol herd has been established under the stewardship of Neville and Maureen Turner in Lincolnshire.

For the Northern Dairy Shorthorn, an embryo transfer project co-ordinated by veterinary surgeon Charles Castle should see an increase in the number of annual births and help accelerate a growth in numbers.