ORIGINS OF MODERN LIVESTOCK
From white cattle to goat-like sheep, British livestock can be traced back to our Neolithic ancestors
BBC Countryfile’s farmer examines the ancient origins of today’s familiar pigs, sheep and cattle
The livestock that farmers rear today – in fields and farmyards from Shetland to Scilly – is a living, breathing link to the first animals that were raised by Neolithic man. These early domesticated creatures were brought here around 6,500 years ago when Britain was still tied to Europe by land. They would have looked and behaved very differently from the breeds of goats, sheep, cattle and pigs we recognise today. But some would have mated with the feral pigs and wild cows already here, creating a genetic connection that has lasted more than six millennia. The result is the herds and flocks that provide us with the meat, milk, leather and wool we take for granted in the 21st century.
1. CHILLINGHAM CATTLE The oldest type of cattle we see today are the white breeds that have lived in parkland for almost 800 years. There are two rare and isolated herds: the Vaynol in Caernarfonshire and Northumberland’s Chillingham Wild Cattle, the last remaining feral herd in the country. You can see Chillingham Wild Cattle at Chillingham Park, which has been home to these fierce, white-coated and impressively horned animals for more than 700 years. £16. Tours daily. Near Alnwick, NE66 5NP. chillinghamwildcattle.com
2. TRADITIONAL PIGS In the Iron Age, wild pigs were tamed and used for meat. By the Middle Ages, we were herding them into forests to be fattened on acorns, nuts, beech mast and roots. But after the Second World War, the Government advised farmers to breed just three strains of fastmaturing pigs – the Large White, the Landrace and the Welsh – spelling disaster for breeds such as the Gloucestershire Old Spots, the Berkshire and the Oxford Sandy and Black. But there’s now hope thanks to a renewed interest in diversity and traditional farming methods. Agricultural shows, such as The
Royal County of Berkshire Show, are a great way to see British breeds at their best. 15-16 September. £20. Newbury Showground, RG18 9QZ. 01635 247 111, berkshireshow.co.uk
3 SOAY SHEEP Originally isolated on the islands of St Kilda off the west coast of Scotland, Soay sheep are small, nimble creatures with short brown fleeces. There are two obvious signs of their
ancient heritage: they behave like wild animals and they shed their fleece naturally. See Soay sheep at Hampshire’s Butser Ancient Farm, alongside Iron Age pigs. £8.50 Open daily. Chalton, PO8 0BG. 023 9259 8838, butserancientfarm.co.uk
4. LONG-WOOLLED SHEEP The Romans introduced large, long-woolled sheep that were perfect for cloth production and kickstarted England’s international textile trade. Next time you watch Countryfile and see a flock of Cotswold, Wensleydale, Leicester or Lincoln Longwool sheep, you’ll spot their soft, generous fleeces and know exactly how enterprising our Roman visitors were. The Rare, Traditional and Native Breeds Sale & Show, now in its 16th year, is dedicated to Britain’s indigenous breeds. 7-8 September. Melton Mowbray, LE13 1JY. 01664 562971, meltonmowbraymarket.co.uk
5. HIGHLAND CATTLE There are Neolithic cave paintings that depict giant wild Auroch cattle, the forebears of all of Britain’s current domestic breeds. Highland Cattle can probably claim the closest lineage to Aurochs, and you can find them in the Scottish Highlands and at my Cotswold Farm
Park, along with many other rare breeds. £14. Open to December 24. Kineton, GL54 5UG. 01451 850307, cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk