CATTLE
Domesticated cattle are derived from two wild species; Bos primigenius, the large black through to brown-black Aurochs, ox-like creatures which roamed the forests of Europe; and Bos longifrons whose origins are uncertain. These creatures were hunted by prehistoric man untill about 9,000 years ago when he started to domesticate them not only for their meat, milk and hides, but also as beasts of burden. A succession of invaders over many centuries brought their own breeds of cattle into the British Isles with them. The Romans brought improved dairy strains from the Mediterranean. The Anglo-Saxons brought their own large red cattle. The import (and export) of cattle continues into the present day.
The rapid growth of towns in the 17th century provided new markets for beef and led to attempts to produce better beef cattle by cross-breeding. It was not, however, until the end of the 18th century that a Leicestershire farmer, Robert Bakewell, poineered improvements in Longhorn cattle by inbreeding. Where Bakewell led the way, two brothers of County Durham follwed; Robert and Charles Colling tried to produce better beef animals by inbreeding shorthorns. Some twenty breeds are now commonly kept in the British Isles and these are classified into three types; beef, dairy and dual-purpose cattle.
SHEEP
