100 YEARS OF BRITISH FRIESIANS This year we celebrate the centenary of the formation of a Society to register the black and white cattle that were imported from North Holland. These cattle proved the foundation for the British Friesian as we know it today and we are proud of their long lineage. 1909-2009 It is therefore timely to take a look at the history and origins of the British Friesian. In so doing, we have relied on Gordon Mingay’s book ‘British Friesian – An Epic of Progress’, written in 1982 in preparation for the British Friesian Cattle Society’s 75th birthday. Although black and white cattle had been known in Friesland since medieval times (in 1344 records of a monastery at Monnikendam recorded a mixed herd of cattle comprising 57 black, black and white, black cows with white heads and black patches around the eyes, 42 red and white and 16 more of different colours), the predominant colour of the native breeds throughout Northern Europe and indeed the UK, were varying shades of brown. Cattle were traded between these countries and following a devastating attack of Rinderpest in the 1700’s, substantial numbers of black and white cattle were imported in Friesland from Jutland to make up numbers. These black and white Danish cattle went also to Groningen and North and South Holland. The black colour, being genetically dominant, gradually led to the demise of the old red and white Friesian. German cattle went to the eastern and southern provinces. In the mid 1800’s, the Dutch set about establishing a more uniform type and, with its reputation for milk production, over 300,000 cows were exported to England between 1862-4. In the USA, although the early Dutch settlers had taken cattle with them, their influence had been lost and it was a cow in 1852 and subsequent purchases that established the first herd in Massachusetts. Over 7000 animals were imported into the US until they were banned in 1905 because of the danger of foot and mouth disease. Friesland cattle had a marked influence in France and Germany, (their herd book was established in 1922) and Poland amongst many other countries. As a result of the boom in exports, the Netherlands Cattle Herd Book (NRS) was formed in 1875, to be followed in 1879 by the Friesland Cattle Herd Book (FRS). Although admired for their milking ability, type was still very variable and it was noticed that there were really three breeds, the Holland-Friesian, the Groningen, and Maas-Rijn-Ijsel recorded in the NRS, and so separate herd books were established for each breed in 1906. In Friesland, the black and white cattle became predominant, (by 1937 representing 96% of the population). “Breeders concentrated on strong constitution, good feet utilisation and an optimum dual purpose conformation”. This dedication paid off, with continued exports to many countries. The Dutch Friesian was established in England by the late 1800’s until in 1892 all importations from the continent were banned under a Disease of Animals Act. So it was that these imported cattle formed the foundation stock in the first herd book of 1911, following the formation of the registering Society in 1909. Although starting off as The British Holstein Cattle Society, it is suggested that this may have been because that was the name adopted in the USA, and there had been reports of a particularly impressive line up of Holstein cattle at the New York Dairy Show in 1887. Although there never was a specific breed of this name in Europe, being generally referred to as the Hollander, there is no doubt that a good deal of cross breeding had taken place throughout Northern Europe before the more specialised cattle were established in Friesland. In 1918, the Society changed its name to The British Friesian Cattle Society (the previous year the Royal family had changed their name to Windsor and some believe it was the fashion to avoid all German connotations!), which it retained until 1988 when it changed to The Holstein Friesian Society (HFS) to accommodate the registering of North American Holstein cattle in the herd book (a separate Society had been formed in 1947 for registering imported Holsteins, later the two Societies combined forces). The advance of the black and white cow in the UK ebbed and flowed according to disease status, and the banning of imports led to a shortage of fresh blood lines. Numbers in 1900 were said to be modest and there is no doubt that the Shorthorns dominated the dairy scene. However, and no doubt due to indecision of Shorthorn Breeders as to which direction to take their breed, the high yielding reputation of the black and whites was eventually to win the day. Increasing quantities of milk for the liquid market was being sought and this fact fuelled demand. Terling and Lavenham were already in existence and we read of the Wallace family who moved down from Scotland and gave up their Ayrshire’s for imported Friesians in the late 1870’s, “the Friesian being very good for the butcher at a time when the Ayrshire calf fetched almost nothing”. The Friesian was described as “an animal on short legs with a good bag, giving herself a large volume of milk and reproducing herself every year, also being valuable for her meat. There was nothing to touch the 16 week old veal calf fed on milk”. More or less a description of our modern British Friesian, now somewhat taller and with further improvement in the udder, but retaining the financial advantages which so impressed the dairymen of the day. We should acknowledge the dedication and determination shown by those founding members of the Society in establishing the rules and leading the way forward for the breed.
The above will appear in the HUK journal and we will endeavour to continue the history up to the 75 year mark, and then the last 25 years covering the period of the formation of our Club will be published in our new Brochure.
BRITISH CATTLE BREEDERS CLUB CONFERENCE As is often said at this conference on the Beef day, ‘if everyone used British Friesians, the beef industry would have no problems’. This was repeated again this year! Apart from a paper on genomics on the Dairy day, theoretically improving the reliability of young bulls and avoid in-breeding, there was nothing new to report. The real debate that should be taking place at the Conference should focus on Darwin’s theory of evolution and natural selection, survival of the fittest! Breeding from young animals for ‘genetic gain’ is the very antithesis of this. The result of including type traits in Index, particularly angularity, in addition to production, is seen in today’s cattle. Those who try to manipulate need to mindful of their responsibilities. DAIRY BULL CALVES
With a voluntary ban imposed on imports of calves from the UK, it is estimated that as many as 150,000 dairy bull calves per annum, could be despatched at birth. Members of our Club know that this need not be the case. British Friesian bull calves are very sought after and contribute hugely to finances, more so in times of falling milk price. Substantial amounts of British Friesian semen is now being sold. Amazingly some Rearers and Auctioneers are still unable to differentiate between a Holstein and a British Friesian if what we hear on the radio is to be believed! BULL PROGENY COMPETITION
The Judge for the Club Bull Progeny Competition was Mrs Eileen Bell, who travelled over 850 miles to inspect stock. Here is her report:
The cattle I inspected were of the highest standard and any of the competition bulls could be used with confidence. The progeny were well grown, of good conformation with excellent locomotion, the udders being extremely well attached. I felt privileged to visit these farms and spend time with our hosts on their premises, looking at aspects of their diverse methods. We would like to thank all our hosts for their kindness and hospitality during our tour. We really enjoyed the experience. The winners are Alan and Sarah Spicer with Langley Excellent. His name was certainly borne out in the in-milk heifers and second calvers that we saw! Runner up was J E Archer & Son with Darleymoor Lexis and in joint third position were JWG Dalby & Sons with Ringswood Lion and J Lowcock with rodbrook Dynamo 4. BROCHURE JUDGING COMPETITION
Yet another good entry for our popular Brochure Judging Competition, with the entry nearest to the placing of our Judge Roger Troughton send in by John Bell, Beech Tree, Saltcoats Kirkbride, Wigton, Cumbria. John is only 8 years old and a young stockman with a promising future ahead of him! The answers were: B A D C F E Due to this being the Centenary year and a special Brochure is planned, there will not be a judging competition this year. BROCHURE
See enclosure and don’t delay for entry in this ‘bumper’ 100 years edition. DATES FOR THE DIARY 24 March - AGM. Commencing at 2pm (lunch at 1pm) at The Hunter, Longdon, Tewkesbury, Glos. (Ledbury side) 29 April - Herd visit. 11am to the Jenkins family’s Ember Herd, Stember Farm, Poyston Cross, Haverfordwest, Wales SA62 6JG. Tel 01437 763239. 24 June - Celebration and Herd Visit. 11am at Pullen Bros, Home Farm, Brookfield Lane, Churchdown, Glos GL3 2PS. Tel 07747 082864 11 August - Herd visit. 11am to the Griffin family’s Kirkby Herd of 130 strictly commercial pedigree British Friesians. All calves retained and bulls finished. Middlefields Farm, Stoke Road, Hinckley, Leics LE10 3EA. Tel 01455 828733 8 September - HUK Dinner Chester WANTED
John Owen, Gelli Aur College Farm, requires British Friesian heifers or cows due late Spring. Telephone 01554 748571
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