Blue Albion

The Blue Albion was a British breed of cattle that originated in the English Midlands. They were a multi-purpose breed, with potential in meat production alongside milk production. The breed became extinct in 1967 due to a foot-and-mouth outbreak and the subsequent culling required to get the disease under control.

Breed characteristics

The Blue Albion was a blue-roan coloured, horned breed of cattle. The breed was used for both meat and dairy production.

History

Blue Albion cattle originated from the crossing of black cattle with white cattle in the English counties of Derbyshire and Staffordshire.[1] This cross-breeding often results in a blue roan colouration. The original breeds used in the breeding of the Blue Albion are thought to have been Shorthorn, Welsh Black and British Friesian cattle.[2] The Blue Albion became an official breed when the Blue Albion Cattle Society was formed in the Peak District of Derbyshire in 1921.[2]

Extinction

The 1967 foot-and-mouth epidemic led to a nationwide culling programme to get the disease under control. This resulted in the culling of nearly all remaining Blue Albions, making some believe the breed had become extinct.[3][4] However, some Albions did survive on 3 different farms, although a breed society no longer existed. These farmers kept the breed true by swapping bulls amongst themselves. RBST have studied the evidence and history of the breed and accepted Albions as a native breed in September 2018, currently with critically low numbers. According to the UK Rare Breeds Society, Blue Albions have been reclassed as Albions, due to the acceptance of all white, all black & blue roan animals in the breed.

References
  1. "A Blue Albion Cow on show". Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  2. Janet Dohner (2002). The Encyclopaedia of Historic and Endangered Livestock and Poultry Breeds. Yale University Press. p. 219. ISBN 0300088809.
  3. L. Alderson. "Disease Threats to Genetic Conservation: BSE in Britain" (PDF). UCO. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  4. David Brown (4 July 2001). "£2.5m gene bank for rare breeds". The Telegraph. Retrieved 5 June 2013.

www.albioncattlesociety.co.uk

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