Devon

The Devon is among the oldest native cattle breeds of Britain, taking its name from the county in the South West of England where farmers developed it long before formal breed standards existed. Its coat is a solid red that varies from pale tan to a deep, glossy ruby, and this shade gives the breed its everyday name: the Ruby Red.

Mature bulls typically weigh between 900 and 1,100 kg, while cows range from 500 to 650 kg, making this a substantial beef animal by any measure. The breed converts grass into meat with notable efficiency, so it suits pasture-based and grass-fed enterprises particularly well. Devon cattle also cope with a broad range of weather, from hot summers to cold, wet winters, better than many breeds of comparable size.

Temperament sets the Devon apart. The cattle are placid, easy going and straightforward to handle, qualities that suit both small holdings and larger commercial herds. This same steadiness once made the breed a favourite as working oxen, when strength had to be matched with a reliable, cooperative nature.

Who it suits

This breed suits producers after a hardy beef animal that performs well on forage without heavy grain feeding. Its calm disposition appeals to keepers who handle stock themselves and prefer low-stress animals underfoot. Smallholders and conservation grazing schemes also favour the Devon, since a placid temperament and strong foraging ability count for more there than sheer frame size.

Cattle of Devon type have been recorded in the South West of England for several hundred years. For much of that history the breed served three purposes at once: it supplied beef and milk and pulled the plough as a draught ox, since most farms needed one animal capable of several jobs.

Devon cattle were among the first English cattle taken across the Atlantic. Accounts describe red Devon stock arriving with settlers at Plymouth, in what is now Massachusetts, in the early 1600s. Their strength and even temper made them prized as draught oxen for clearing woodland and hauling loads, and the breed spread quickly through the early colonial farms.

As farming became more specialised, breeders split the Devon into two lines. One was bred for milk and became known as the Milking Devon; the other was developed chiefly for beef. It is this beef line, sometimes called the Red Ruby or the North Devon, that people mean today when they refer simply to 'the Devon'.

Breed societies in England, and later abroad, kept herd books to safeguard the breed's characteristics. Devons have since been exported widely, including to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and parts of South America, where their tolerance of heat and strong grazing ability suit extensive systems.

Devon cattle are solidly built, with a deep, wide body and good length through the frame. Muscling is generous without looking exaggerated, and the back stays level along a strong topline. The head is of moderate size with a broad forehead, dark eyes and a calm expression. Traditional animals carry horns, though polled lines (naturally without horns) have also been developed. Strong, well-set legs suit walking and grazing across pasture and rougher ground alike.

The coat is what most people notice first. A Devon is red all over, and this uniform colouring is exactly where the Ruby Red nickname comes from.

Coat and colouring

Coat colour is consistent across the breed and remains one of the simplest ways to pick out a Devon in a field of mixed cattle. Individual animals range from a lighter chestnut through to a deep, dark ruby. Hair stays short in warm weather but grows thicker, with a slight curl, once the cold sets in, which helps explain why the breed copes so comfortably through a British winter. The muzzle and skin are usually pale or flesh coloured, and the switch of the tail normally matches the body in red.

The Devon has a name for a quiet, level temperament. Cattle are placid, good natured and straightforward to manage, which makes daily handling, moving stock between paddocks and routine veterinary checks far less stressful than with flightier breeds. These qualities trace back to the breed's history as working oxen, where a steady, cooperative animal was essential for safe work alongside people.

Around regular handlers, Devons generally take routine contact in their stride and respond well to calm, consistent stockmanship. Cows make attentive mothers and tend to stay settled around their calves rather than defensive. Even with strangers, a well-handled Devon usually stays composed instead of flighty. Within the herd they mix easily with other cattle and are not known for aggression, though bulls of any breed still need careful management. The breed's easy nature also makes it a sensible choice for mixed grazing alongside other livestock.

The Devon is a hardy breed that does well on modest inputs within a pasture-based system. Most of the day-to-day care comes down to keeping grazing in good order, providing clean water, and following a routine herd health programme.

Grooming

• Coat care takes little time; the short coat sheds and grows back with the seasons
• Check for external parasites such as lice, flies and ticks, particularly during warmer months
• Inspect and trim hooves as needed to avoid lameness
• Where horns are present, keep an eye on their growth and condition

Exercise

• Open pasture supplies the daily movement the breed needs
• Rotational grazing keeps forage quality up and spreads out grazing pressure
• Leave enough room for cattle to walk to water and shade through the day

Environment

Devons cope with both heat and cold, though they still benefit from shelter such as trees, a windbreak or a simple field shelter. Britain's climate is mild but damp and changeable, with rain likely at any time of year, so a dry, draught-free spot to retreat to matters as much as shade in a warm spell. Secure fencing and a reliable water supply remain the main infrastructure needs.

Efficient forage conversion is one of the Devon's best known traits, and under good conditions the breed can finish for beef on pasture alone. Quality grazing through the growing season, backed up with hay or silage once grass growth slows, covers the needs of most animals. Grain is optional; producers tend to use it mainly to keep growth on track or to finish cattle when forage runs short.

Treats and supplements

Offer free-choice minerals and salt suited to the local soil and forage, since deficiencies vary from one region to another. Fresh, clean water needs to be available at all times. Make any change to the ration gradually, over several days, to give the rumen microbes time to adjust.

The Devon is generally a robust breed with good longevity. Many cows stay productive for years, and a typical lifespan runs from 12 to 15 years. Most health issues that arise are the ordinary conditions of grazing cattle rather than faults peculiar to the breed, and good nutrition, parasite control and routine veterinary care keep problems to a minimum.

Preventive care

• Follow a regional vaccination schedule agreed with your vet
• Keep up a parasite control programme combining grazing management and wormers
• Provide balanced minerals to guard against deficiency-related disease
• Check hooves and body condition on a regular schedule
• Keep records of breeding, calving and treatments

Devons reach breeding age within their first one to two years, and heifers are often put to the bull so as to calve at around two years old. Cows have a good name for fertility and regular calving, and the breed is generally noted for calving with little trouble, which cuts down the need for assistance at birth.

Gestation runs to about nine months, close to 283 days, and cows normally produce a single calf each year; twins happen only occasionally. Calves are usually born without difficulty and are quick to get up and nurse. Devon cows are attentive mothers with an adequate milk supply, and the breed's calm temperament carries through into settled behaviour around calves. Weaning typically happens at around six to eight months. With good management, cows can go on breeding and rearing calves for many years, which underpins the breed's long productive life.