Welsh Black Cattle
Wales's native cattle breed, the Welsh Black has all the
qualities of a true native animal. The breed is able to thrive on rough
grazing, making it an ideal for conservation grazing. It is for this reason that Welsh Blacks are
used by conservation organisations such as the National Trust on their heaths
in Pembrokeshire.
Not only does the Welsh Black thrive on
these conditions, but it also converts this herb-rich foliage into plentiful
milk and top-class, premium price beef.
In today's society, where we are looking
at producing naturally reared, chemical-free food, the Welsh Black is an
excellent choice. If we are to eat responsibly, we must be aware of where our
food comes from and the welfare of the animals that produce that food.
Naturally reared Welsh Blacks spend their
lives roaming through herb-rich pastures, basking in the sunshine and rearing
their calves up to the time where they are naturally weaned. They can live in
the harshest conditions, and do not need to be housed during winter. They grow
a thick coat and are happiest outdoors braving the 
weather.
In fact a small amount of poaching by
cattle in winter creates pools for rare invertebrates as well as for frog- and
toad-sporn. Out-wintering cattle also benefits dung beetles. Along with the
usage of chemical anthelmintics, one of the greatest threats to dung beetles is
the removal of cattle and therefore dung from pastures during the winter. The
dung beetles food source is effectively completely removed in winter. So
out-wintering cattle is actually helping save our dung beetles!
The Tyddewi Herd
The Tyddewi Herd of pedigree Welsh Black Cattle was founded
in 1976 after initial purchase from the Eos Herd in Pontyberem. Further cattle
were also purchased from top herds including the Lammaston, Neuadd, Rhun, Parc,
Ysguboriau and Doldowlod herds.
The 70-cow Tyddewi Herd was reduced in the farm sale on
September 2005. On 50 acres of land, we now run 7 Welsh Black cows, 2 young
bulls, 1 steer and 2 small calves.
We have retained stock of the different family lines that
my family have bred and shown successfully over the past 20 years.
The Tyddewi Herd today:
Tyddewi Katherine: Reserve Female
Champion, Royal Welsh Show 2005
Tyddewi Anne: Supreme Beef
Champion Fishguard Show 2006, with her steer calf (born 03.08)
Tyddewi Alwyn: Dam of Tyddewi Anne
Tyddewi Myfanwy: Consistent
prize-winner 2005-2006
Tyddewi Nicola: Champion female,
Haverfordwest Show 2005
Tyddewi Marie 12th: Embryo daughter of
Tyddewi Marie 4th, with her heifer calf Tyddewi Marie 13th (born 03.08)
Tyddewi Hester with steer born
31.12.06
Tyddewi Andy: Born 20.06.07 Dam: Tyddewi Alwyn, Sire: Tyddewi Brenin FOR SALE
Tyddewi Arfon: Born 20.12.06 Dam:
Tyddewi Anne, Sire: Tyddewi Brenin FOR SALE
Notable Successes & Articles
To read about the notable successes of the Tyddewi Herd, please follow this link.
To read articles about the Tyddewi Herd, please click here.