White Park Cattle

The dramatically distinctive White Park cattle which grace parkland and pasture in many parts of the country are Britain's most ancient breed of livestock. They have attracted special attention for more than two thousand years, not only for their arresting appearance but also for their role in the historical and cultural development of their country of origin. Previous authors have attempted to catch the spirit of the breed by focusing on specific features of the cattle but thereby inevitably neglected other important aspects of the breed's place in the global livestock industry. This book deals comprehensively with both the ancient provenance of White Park cattle and their value in the context of modern farming. It traces a trail of evidence from prehistoric DNA to a blueprint for animal welfare and quality products in the third millennium; from Druidic sacrifice to hunting parks; from 'Sir Loin' gastronomy to aesthetic enhancement of country house estates. The family trees of famous bulls and cows sit comfortably alongside references to Winston Churchill and Edwin Landseer, or even descriptions of more recent scientific developments such as DNA testing or embryo transfer. The foreword describes it as "a landmark in the treatment of the history and current circumstance of a single breed" and opines "in a very real sense this book is a work of art". Its scholarly narrative reveals a fascinating range of interest and knowledge, illustrated liberally in both monochrome and colour images.