IT’S SO MOOVING TO BE IRELAND’S OLDEST COW
Genetics used in bid to save ancient breed from extinction
Farmer Gillian Smith from Co Cork DNA testing has just identified Ireland’s oldest cow – but it is now in danger of extinction with only 200 animals left.
The Droimeann breed dates back thousands of years in the country.
Now modern-day genetics are now being used to save the last 200 animals from extinction.
RTE’S Ear To The Ground has revealed the Department of Agriculture has officially recognised the cow as a unique breed after the herd’s genes proved to be distinctive from other common Irish ones. The cow known for the characteristic white stripe on their back is celebrated in a 17th century traditional song, An Droimeann Donn Dilis, which means The Sweet Brown Cow, as the personification of Ireland.
RTE’S flagship farming show reveals it almost became extinct in recent years as it was not recognised as a distinct breed so there were no registered bills to keep the bloodline going.
But a handful of farmers around the country worked under the radar to keep it from dying out.
Historian Greg Walsh said it has been discovered the Dromineann is rarest breed of cow in Ireland. He added: “The society has identified over 200 cows which with DNA testing are very similar.
“Currently it is the rarest, we should not allow the genetics that are in the Droimeann to be lost. Culturally it is also important.”
Paul Flynn, from Weatherbys Scientific, said modern-day genetic testing was used to confirm the Droimeann was distinct from more common breeds like Angus or Friesian cows.
Chairman of the Droimeann Society Matt English-hayden said the cow is around for thousands of years. He added: “They have the colour variants that exist from the Iberian Peninsula the whole way up through Britain, the Alps and Scandinavia.
“They are probably representative of what came into Ireland thousands and thousands of years ago.
“They influenced a whole society and economy of Ireland for thousands of years.”
Cork farmer Gillian Smith said their distinctive stripe saved them from extinction.
She added: “They were distinguishthe able from the other cattle with the stripe, if they were red or black they would have disappeared long ago. “I always had a passion for them. They’re hardy and can live on very poor land. They are a nice beef animal and can still give loads of milk. “They are very tolerant cattle. They won’t get excited they are great mothers and not bold cattle.”
■ Ear To The Ground will be shown tonight at 8.30pm on RTE One.
of the historic Droimeann cows remain in Ireland