The Story
In 1623, two heifers and a bull from north Devonshire, England, were received by a member of the Plymouth Colony. They were the first importation of cattle from Britain to the United States.
Cattle from Devonshire had long been recognized in England for their speed, intelligence, strength, willingness to work, and ability to prosper on coarse forage in a wide range of climates. The American Milking Devon was considered the ideal multipurpose breed. None could surpass it for draft work; the milk was good for cream and cheese making; and the beef was rich and low in fat.
As time moved on and new breeds of cattle came to the United States, there were breeds that could produce more milk (Holsteins, for example,) and better meat. (Angus, for example.) Tractors began to make Devons obsolete as draft animals. By 1900, Devons were rarely found outside of New England and by 1970, the breed had dwindled to 100 head.
While Devons are still endangered today, conservation efforts have increased their count in the United States upwards of 500. Modern breeders strive to maintain the very same qualities in the modern Milking Devons that made them so highly prized by the American colonists.
The Breed
“The Devon as an aboriginal breed of cattle is a very valuable one, and they seem to have arrived at the highest point of perfection.” - William Youatt, 1853
American Milking Devon cows are compact and beautiful. They possess a rounded form with a broad, level back; elegant, sharp horns colored creamy white with black tips; and a coat varying in shade from deep rich red to light red or chestnut that has earned them the nickname “Red Rubies.”
They have very few calving difficulties and produce adequate milk production to raise a calf and for use on a small farm. Their milk rivals that of a Jersey cow in quality, and is especially suited for making butter and cheese.
Devons are also strong, hardy, fast workers, and possesses a docile temperament when treated with kindness. These qualities have made them highly valued as oxen from the establishment of the American Colonies to today.
Milking Devons remain an iconic American cow, and are the only cows seen on the historic grounds of Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.
The Farm
