Most people in Wales will have heard of Welsh black cattle – but Welsh whites? Welsh white cattle are one of our ancient native breeds and were once a common sight in our countryside, along with several other colours.
However, with the creation of the Welsh Black Cattle Society in 1905, black was established as the standard Welsh colour and some of the other varieties were bred out.
A Welsh white cow and calf will have a starring role at this year's Royal Welsh Agricultural Show at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells (July 21-24). They will be taking pride of place on the Welsh Willdlife Trusts' stand in the Countryside Care Area of the Showground.
A small herd of these majestic animals is used to graze Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust's Glaslyn reserve, near Machynlleth. The cattle belong to the Mapledraig Herd.
The herd is owned by Liz Lewis-Reddy, a grazing ecologist who works with the Wildlife Trust and farms near Llandrindod Wells with her husband Mike.
Glaslyn nature reserve is part of the 40,000-hectare Pumlumon Living Landscapes Project, which aims to revitalise upland areas in the Cambrian Mountains for wildlife, tourism, and the local economy.
The ambitious plan for a landscape-scale regeneration involves working with more than 200 landowners to restore the natural environment, encourage appropriate grazing with traditional breeds, enhance the appearance of the area, and develop sustainable tourism.
