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Out of 250+ recognized cattle breeds, there are only a handful of breeds with white heads. Undoubtedly, this feature gives them a distinction and makes them stand out. Not everyone here knows these breeds by name, worry not, we will be introducing you to these breeds one by one.
Cattle having white faces is a unique feature that is hard to come by. Irrespective of dairy or beef cattle, this trait is limited to a few breeds only. Stay with us to learn more about White Faced Cattle Breeds.
White Faced Cattle Breeds
- Hereford Cattle
- Simmental
- Black Hereford
- Abondance
- Hinterwald
- Montbéliarde
- Vorderwald
Hereford Cattle
When talking about cattle with white faces, Hereford deserves to be on the top spot. This is one of the popular beef breeds whose origin can be traced back to some two and one-half centuries ago.
History
This is a British brown beef cattle breed that hails from Herefordshire in the West Midlands of England. By the end of the 18th century, the white face trait was established in the modern breed. This is also one of the first English cattle to be recognized as a true breed.
Characteristics & Use
The Hereford’s coat is typically colored from dark red to yellow with a white face and markings.
This British breed is kept and raised for beef production.
2. Simmental
Simmental is one of the oldest and most recognized cattle breeds that also goes by the names of Swiss Fleckvieh, Pie Rouge, or Simmentaler. This breed usually has a white face or most part of it is white. These white face characteristics are also determined by the coat color as well.
History
Indigenous to the valley of the Simme River, the Bernese Oberland, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, that’s also where the breed got its name from. The widely distributed breed has spread to all six continents.
Though it can not be said for sure, records show that the breed was established after the crossing of large German cattle and a local smaller breed indigenous to Switzerland. The breed has influenced several other European breeds including the Montbeliarde, the Pezzata Rossa d’Oropa, and the Fleckvieh.
Characteristics & Use
The coat color ranges from gold to red with white, in most cases, the head is white along with several white markings all over the body. The face is usually white with pigment around the eyes.
It is a dual-purpose Swiss cattle breed bred for milk and meat.
3. Black Hereford
You may have imagined Hereford in red coat color with White marking but there is a new Hereford color on the rise. Black Hereford is also known as “black-baldies” for their black bodies with white faces and finching. Like Hereford, this breed is also prized for feed efficiency and docile temperament.
History
Black Hereford cattle breed does not have a centuries-old history rather the breed was developed in the 90s. The American Black Hereford Association was founded in 1994 and the first Black Hereford was registered in 1997.
This is a hybrid breed of Hereford and Black Angus which explains the coat coloring perfectly, black coat inherited from Angus and White markings from Hereford. Black Hereford was developed to pass on the desirable traits of both breeds.
Characteristics & Use
The breed is quite similar in appearance and color to its ancestor, Red Hereford. The trait that distinguishes them is given in the name of the breed, they have a black coat instead of red. Besides the white face, they have white finching on their crest, dewlap, and underline
Black Hereford is prized for its beef and raised for this factor, in some parts of the world.
4. Abondance
Originally known as the Chablaisienne, Abondance is another beautiful white-faced cattle breed, quite similar to Simmental. The breed has a white face with pigment under the eye. Abondance is a hardy and strong cattle breed adaptable to extreme temperatures and climates.
History
Native to the high valleys of Haute-Savoie, France, the birthplace of the breed is considered Chablais in the Val d’Abondance. The breed was developed by the monks of the Abbaye de Saint-Maurice d’Agaune in the 12th century.
There are about 15000 Abondance cattle in France and the breed has been exported to North America, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Iraq, and Africa till now.
Characteristics & Use
Abondance cows have golden or brown coats with a white head, underbelly, and some white markings on their legs whereas the bull has a chestnut red coat with a white head.
Abondance is a dual-purpose breed bred and raised for milk and beef.
5. Hinterwald
Hinterwald or Hinterwälder Rind means “from the backwoods” is the smallest cattle breed of central Europe. Well adapted to the Alpine climate, the breed is developed to cope with extreme conditions like cold winters, steep pastures, and a frugal diet. The breed is known for its beautiful white face and distinctive horns.
History
It was named Hinterwalder because the breed originates from the Black Forest. Not much is known about the history of the breed. There are two breed associations one in Germany and one in Switzerland.
A non-profit organization, Pro Specie Rara has established a maintenance breed program since 1983. This cattle breed was awarded “Domestic Animal of the Year” in Germany in 1992.
Characteristics & Use
Different coat colors are witnessed in the breed such as pale-yellow to red speckled, variegated, or solid in coloration. The coat can be pied light yellow to dark red-brown with a white face.
Hinterwald is bred for milk, meat, and other exceptional qualities.
6. Montbéliarde
The Montbeliarde is a red and white pied cattle breed that has its origins in the mountains of eastern France. Harsh climate and living conditions have turned it into a hardy breed that can stand up to coldest and hottest weather conditions. Besides being a strong breed, Montbeliarde has white markings all over the coat.
History
Hailing from the area of Montbéliard, département of Doubs, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of eastern France, the breed was named by Joseph Graber in 1872.
Bernoise cattle were brought by the Mennonites in the 18th Century to France and the breed is believed to be descended from them. The breed is also influenced by Tourache and Fémeline.
Characteristics & Uses
Montbeliard is red pied dairy cattle with white heads. These cows have beautiful and unique white markings all over the body.
It is mainly used for dairying and cheesemaking, one of the famous French cheeses is produced using Montbéliard milk.
7. Vorderwald
Vorderwald and Hinterwald are considered siblings. As established earlier, Hinterwalder means “from the backwoods”, Vorderwalder means ” from the front woods”. Like Hinterwalder, the cattle of this breed have white faces and markings.
History
Vorderwälder Rind originated from the Black Forest in Germany. Back in 1544, Hinterwald and Vorderwald were called “Wald-Cattle”, then on the basis of size, the smaller and bigger breed was called Hinterwald and Vorderwald respectively.
Even though this cattle breed has been around for centuries, the herd book was first established in 1896. The population of this breed is gradually decreasing.
Characteristics & Use
The breed is large in size with red and brown coats. The face and legs are usually white and the cows have curving horns.
It is kept for milk and meat.
In brief, these were some of the distinct cattle breeds with whiteheads. Share the post with fellow cattle lovers.
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