Devon

The Devon ranks among the oldest beef breeds to come out of the British Isles. It takes its name from the county of Devon in the south-west of England, where farmers bred it long before modern cattle breeds were formally classified. The coat is a solid, deep red that can run from a light tan through to a rich ruby shade, which is why stockmen often just call it the Ruby Red.

Mature bulls typically tip the scale at 900 to 1,100 kg, while cows weigh 500 to 650 kg. Whether on the Highveld, Bushveld or Lowveld, the breed copes with heat, cold and altitude changes better than most cattle of a similar frame, and it turns grass into beef with little help from a feed bag. That trait suits the extensive grazing systems common on South African farms.

Temperament sets the Devon apart. Farmhands rate it as quiet, easy-going and simple to move through a kraal or crush, which cuts down on stress for both animal and handler. Earlier generations used Devon oxen for draught work, a job that called for muscle and a level head in equal measure.

Who it fits

The Devon suits farmers who want a tough beef animal that performs on veld and natural grazing with little grain. Its calm nature suits smallholders and family farms where stock are handled directly and low-stress cattle make daily work easier. Conservation grazing projects, and some game farms running a handful of cattle alongside game, also favour the breed, since settled temperament and good foraging matter more here than sheer frame size.

The Devon hails from the county of Devon in the south-west of England, where cattle of this type have been recorded for several centuries. For most of its early history it was a triple-purpose animal, supplying beef, milk and the muscle of a working ox on farms where one beast had to earn its keep several ways over.

Devons were among the first European cattle taken to North America, with red Devon stock recorded arriving alongside English settlers at Plymouth in the early 1600s. Their strength and even temper made them prized as draught oxen for clearing land and hauling loads, and the breed spread through the colonial farming economy that followed.

As farming mechanised and beef and milk production went their separate ways, the Devon split into two lines. One was bred for milk and became the Milking Devon, while the other was developed mainly for beef. The beef line, often called the Red Ruby or North Devon, is the one most farmers mean today when they say Devon.

Breed societies in England, and later elsewhere, kept herd books to safeguard the breed's identity. The Devon has since been exported widely, including to Australia, New Zealand, South America and South Africa, where its tolerance for heat and its foraging ability made it a good fit for extensive grazing on veld and Bushveld farms.

The Devon carries a solid, deep body with good length and a muscular but not overdone frame. The back stays level along a strong topline, and the head is moderate in size with a broad forehead. Traditional Devons carry horns, though polled lines free of horns have also been bred over the years. The legs are strong and correctly set, built for walking and grazing over veld, hillsides and rougher ground alike.

The coat is the feature that gives the breed away at a glance. Devons run a uniform red over the whole body, which is where the Ruby Red name comes from.

Coat and colour

Coat colour stays consistent across the breed and is one of the quickest ways to pick out a Devon in a mixed herd. Animals range from a lighter chestnut through to a deep, dark ruby red. The hair lies short in warm weather and grows thicker with a slight curl once the cold sets in, which helps the breed cope with everything from a Free State frost to a Lowveld summer. The muzzle and skin tend toward light or flesh tones, and the switch of the tail usually matches the body colour.

The Devon has a name for a quiet, steady temperament. The breed is calm, good-natured and easy to handle, which makes daily work, moving stock between camps, and routine veterinary checks far less of a battle. These traits trace back to the breed's history as draught oxen, where a cooperative, level-headed animal was essential for safe work alongside people.

Around handlers, Devons generally take routine contact in their stride and respond well to calm, consistent stockmanship. Cows watch over their calves closely and stay settled around them. Well-handled Devons tend to stay composed around strangers rather than skittish. In the herd they mix easily with other cattle and are not known for aggression, though any breed's bulls need careful management. The breed's settled nature also makes it a fair choice for camps shared with other livestock or, on some farms, game.

The Devon is a hardy breed that gets on well in veld-based systems with modest inputs. Most of the work involves keeping grazing in good condition, providing clean water, and sticking to a routine herd health programme.

Grooming

• Coat care is minimal; the short coat sheds and grows back with the seasons
• Check for external parasites such as lice, ticks and flies, particularly in the warmer months, and dip or treat as needed
• Inspect and trim hooves when required to prevent lameness
• Where horns are present, keep an eye on their growth and condition

Exercise

• Open veld gives the breed the daily movement it needs
• Rotational grazing between camps keeps forage quality up and spreads grazing pressure
• Leave room for cattle to walk to water and shade so they keep moving through the day

Environment

Devons cope with both heat and cold, but they still do better with natural or built shelter, whether that is trees, a windbreak or a simple lean-to. Give shade on the Lowveld and Bushveld in summer, and a dry, draught-free spot for the Highveld's cold, wet winters. Sound fencing and a reliable water supply are the main infrastructure a farmer needs to sort out.

The Devon has a name for turning grass and forage into beef efficiently, and under good conditions the breed can finish on veld alone. Quality grazing through the growing season, backed up with hay or silage when grass runs short, covers the needs of most animals. Grain is optional and mostly comes in to keep growth on track or finish cattle when grazing is limited, such as during a Highveld winter or a dry spell in the Karoo.

Treats and supplements

Provide free-choice mineral and salt suited to the local soil and grazing, since deficiencies differ from the Highveld to the coast to the Karoo. Fresh, clean water must 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 the typical lifespan runs from 12 to 15 years. Most health issues are the ordinary conditions of grazing cattle rather than faults tied to the breed itself, and sound nutrition, parasite control and routine veterinary care keep problems to a minimum.

Preventive care

• Follow a vaccination programme suited to your region, with veterinary advice
• Run a parasite control programme that combines grazing management with targeted dosing
• Provide balanced minerals to head off 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 they calve at around two years old. Cows have a reputation for fertility and regular calving, and the breed is generally noted for easy calving, which cuts down on the need for assistance at birth.

Gestation runs to about nine months, close to 283 days, and cows normally produce a single calf a year. Twins happen only now and then. Calves are usually born without trouble and are quick to stand and suckle. Devon cows are attentive mothers with enough milk to go around, and the breed's calm nature carries through to settled behaviour around calves. Calves are typically weaned at around six to eight months old. With good management, cows can go on breeding and raising calves for many years, which supports the breed's long working life.