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 Our
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Society
History
Ancient
Breed
Centenary
Year 2004
The Welsh Black breed of cattle is one of the oldest
in Britain, having inhabited the hills of Wales since pre-Roman
and pre-Christian times.
They were the Ancient Britons' most prized possessions when
they retreated westwards from the invading Saxons.
Drovers would herd the cattle for weeks to sell them at English
markets, and return to Wales with large amounts of money which
unfortunately made them the target of bandits and highwaymen.
But this constant threat of robbery prompted the formation
of the first bank – the Bank of the Black Ox, which
evolved into Lloyds Bank.
A tremendously hardy breed, with the ability to withstand
extremes of temperature and terrain, it is officially classified
as a dual-purpose breed, producing both milk and beef.
Before the 1960s very few Welsh Black Cattle were exported
outside the UK, but now can be found in Canada, New Zealand,
Australia and Germany as well in countries such as Saudi Arabia,
Jamaica and Uganda.
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