Welsh Black Cattle Society

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Welsh Black Bull

General Appearance
Deep, long, with straight top and bottom line, with plenty of bone. Free and easy walk.

Head
Short to moderate in length, wide forehead, good depth through jaw; eyes large, placid and prominent; ears fairly large, thickly covered with soft hairs; horns protruding straight outward at base, curving slightly forward, fairly strong and rounded at roots. In young animals the horns are generally rough and of dark slate colour, later becoming smoother and straw or ivory coloured with black tips.

Neck
Medium in length, thick and strong with good crest; throat as clean as possible.

Shoulders
Free from coarseness, fitting closely into the body, and not prominent at the points, which should be rounded and neatly embedded.

Body
Deep wide and capacious. Straight back, strong wide loins. Ribs long and well sprung; no depression behind the shoulder, and no hollowness under the loin. Deep in flank.

Hips
Moderately low set, well rounded and not prominent.

Hind Quarters, Legs & Feet
Long, wide and deep. The whole appearance rounded rather than square on top; straight down behind when looking from side. Thighs broad and thick, well fleshed down to the hocks. The setting of the tail should be level with the top line, neat, and free from coarseness. Hind legs straight from hocks to pastern. Feet sound.

Skin, coat and colour
Skin: Moderately thick; pliable.
Hair: Thick soft and fairly long. Tightly curled hair is objectionable.
Colour: Black. Some white is permitted on the underline behind the navel. The intensity of the colour varies from rusty black to jet black.

Breed

Breed champion of the Royal Welsh Show, Seisiog Bedwyr 129th. After a successful summer season Seisiog Bedwyr 129th won the title Bull of the Year

The Welsh Black can truly claim to be a British native breed as it has been, and is being, developed in the UK through solely British Welsh Black genetics with no input from imported Welsh Black bloodlines or from other breeds.

While the Welsh Black has been shown to perform well in a wide range of situations, including lowland beef breeding and finishing systems, its formidable reputation has been built on the breed’s capability to thrive on marginal and upland areas. There, its foraging habit, coupled with hardiness, ease of calving, and mothering ability, comes into its own.

It is this proven ability to convert rough grazing into milk for calves and into top quality beef that has secured its place in modern farming systems.

It is these abilities that have sustained strong demand for the pedigree Welsh Black and provide profitable opportunities for new and existing Welsh Black breeders. While Welsh Black bulls are primarily used for pure breeding, dairy farmers are also finding that the Welsh Black is an excellent dairy beef cross, especially on heifers.

The Welsh Black Cattle Society organises a series of official sales in the autumn and spring, encourages and supports Welsh Black classes at major shows, as well as offering information and advice to anyone interested in the breed. The Society also has its own Organic Club for existing and potential producers of organic Welsh Black cattle and beef.

Breed champion at the Royal Show in Stoneleigh, Graig Goch Meriel13th. At 8 years of age she confirms the breed trait of longevity

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Welsh Black Bull

Breed