Friesian cattle have maintained a distinctive presence on Britain’s farms for over 300 years.
These breeds were once described by the Livestock Journal of 1900 as being “both exceptionally good” and yet “remarkably inferior” – some handsome and good milkers; others so ugly that they put their owners to shame.
Society
Undaunted, several breeders banded together and in 1909 formed a new club and registration scheme under the name of the British Holstein Cattle Society. Barely six years later, in 1914, this society changed its name to Holstein-Friesian, and four years afterwards to the British Friesian Cattle Society.
Mary Mead pointed out that “an important reason for the formation of the Friesian Society was the lucrative export trade, and the need to provide guarantees of pedigree. Only recognised breed societies could hold the big collective sales that could attract foreign buyers.”
The new title remained as it was for the next 70 years. As recently as 1990, a new club was formed to promote and encourage the best of British Friesians, whilst the Society’s Centenary was celebrated in 2009, when still in residence at Scotsbridge House, Rickmansworth.
Classic lines
This story is about Friesians, their origins, attributes, and contribution to our dairy industry. Keeping tabs on each pedigree animal, whilst also striving to improve the breed, is a fascinating subject and my research into them turned up quite a few surprises, not least of which is that the patternation seen on each animal is unique.
The Friesian is a dual-purpose animal, and a purebred can produce, on average, about 25 litres of milk per day. Some are, of course, capable of producing more. They are also sold for beef. A Friesian, in 1975, became one of the youngest cows to win the Royal Show Championship – but that’s only half of it. She kept this coveted title the following year, along with the championship at the World Conference Show. She recorded a staggering 50 tonnes of milk by her 7th lactation.
In September 1982, this same Friesian became the first cow of the breed to attain the perfect Type Classification score of 100 points and, thereafter,
