The South Devon is a British Breed, originating in the south of Devon County in England. This area was referred to as the South Hams and consequently the cattle were referred to as either “South Hams” or “South Devons”. At the beginning of the nineteenth century cattle associated with regions within Devon were distinctly different. Later in the century most merged with the North Devon breed but South Devon breeders chose to retain their own breed and identity for the following reasons. A growing population and a succession of wars increased the price of beef. North Devon breeders responded to this situation by placing emphasis on quality early maturing cattle and thus selected for evenness of type whereas South Devon breeders found it advantageous to retain the breed’s variability in order to meet the variety of markets which they serviced: meat, milk, butter and cheese. South Hams farmers made their selection decisions in relation to their own requirements and markets. However these cattle had some outside supporters who commented on their resemblance to the Hereford breed as their colouring (including the white face) and horns were similar; their frame size and ability to lay on flesh rather than fat. These cattle were considered as being hardy, economical converters of bulky feeds to flesh and milk. Most of all they were profitable to produce and keep. When the RAS of England returned in 1890 mention was made of how selection had improved the breed over the previous 25 years. In describing South Devon cattle reference was made to the milking ability of the breed and to the size of a full grown bull which looked a veritable giant alongside the compact and little North Devon sires which preceded him. It was at this time (1890) that the South Devon breed was recognised as being totally distinct. When they were compared with the North Devons it was said “it’s form and characteristics were however, entirely different. Even their coat colour is several shades lighter”. In 1891 the difference was formalised with the establishment of the South Devon Breed Society and their Herd Book.

Evolution of the breed

Biochemical data supports the grouping of the South Devon, North Devon, Hereford, Gloucester and Welsh breeds. Throughout history there is evidence of crossing South Devons with breeds – British, European and Bos Indicus either for breed improvement or as a crossing sire for crossbred beef production. Of all the real and suggested crosses which contributed to the genetic make-up of the South Devon breed there is good evidence that the Guernsey breed was used to improve the milking qualities in the pre 1860’s and circumstantial evidence – the presence of the Bos Indicus Y chromosome - which supports the idea of a contribution from a Zebu infusion which was made in the late eighteenth century. The latter cross had the effect of increasing size and heat tolerance, a factor which was important in the breed’s ability to adapt to the South African climatic and grazing conditions. Although emphasis has been placed on geographic influence, breeders throughout the development of South Devons turned circumstance to their advantage. Through their response to changing economic pressure South Devon breeders retained and consolidated the distinguishing characteristics of their cattle. They also conserved and added judiciously to its variability, leaving the way open for further change. All this was counter to the prevailing fashion of emphasising early maturity and what was regarded as “quality” beef to the exclusion of all else. The result was the development of a breed of cattle which was hardy and large framed with the capability of converting roughage to a large quantity of lean meat with an ample quantity of high quality milk. As with some of the European breeds introduce to the Australian beef scene, the South Devon underwent a phase in its history when selection emphasis was placed on milk production and dual purpose qualities rather than a single purpose beef producing breed. In the U.K. premiums were paid for butterfat production; South Devon cows qualified for this premium and from 1948 until the early 70’s the dual purpose type of animal was selected for. Upon arrival of the “big Europeans” in the U.K. during the 50’s and 60’s, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (MAFF) undertook trials using South Devon cross Friesians and Charolais cross Friesians. South Devons came out ahead and breeders were very vocal about this result. Despite the fact that MAFF and the Meat and Livestock Corporation (MLC) were promoting South Devons as a beef animal- the U.K. answer to the Continentals – breeders failed to capitalise on this result and for the next 15 years continued to produce dual purpose type animals. This contributed to a lack of consistency within the breed. Due to the practice of selecting for milking traits at the expense of beef traits many of the type of animals needed to improve the breed’s impact in the beef market were selected against. The “big is best” boom period in the early 70’s was one which saw an increased demand for South Devons. As the majority of the cattle available were dual purpose types their performance was less than expected and they took long periods of feeding to finish. It was at this time that South Devons were becoming more widespread. Importations of live cattle and semen were made to New Zealand and semen to Australia. Live imports to Australia from New Zealand bred stock were soon to follow, commencing in 1972. A percentage of these imports were dual purpose types which, when crossed with existing cattle breeds, produced some excellent first and second cross females from which the majority of the Australian South Devon herd was evolved. It was a well known fact that the South Devon herd contained some strains with the ability to produce lean meat from well-muscled cattle. Pressure was put on the breed which resulted in the U.K. Herd Book Society selecting sires from these strains as “breed improvers” to help implement the changes necessary for the breed to regain its competiveness in a market which was demanding well muscled cattle that produced greater quantities of lean beef, while maintaining growth rate and maternal traits. Australian South Devon breeders were able to capitalise on this much needed change in the U.K. breeding policy relatively easily as semen from the “breed improving sires” was made available for use in this country. This enabled the improvement of beef qualities in the cattle without forgoing the other positive characteristics which had already been established in the breed in Australia.

The Modern Australian South Devon

 The modern Australian South Devon has been developed by enthusiasts and practical cattle breeders combining these genes with older established breeds through grading up programs via A.I. and the importation of selected pure bred stock to produce a well fleshed beef animal highly suited to Australian conditions with early sexual maturity, milking ability, growth rate, finishing ability and temperament.