In
2002 David Sheppy started the pedigree
Three Bridges Longhorn herd with
the purchase of two in-calf heifers.
These are reared as sucklers (calves
left on their mothers), to grow towards
maturity before being selected
for future breeding, or for meat
production.
David selected longhorns
because: they fit well with
our other enterprises (good on
the permanent pasture in our standard
orchards, make good mothers and
calve easily), they produce a
good carcass and meat quality on
low input and they are a beautiful
and fascinating old English cattle
breed.
The herd currently includes (January
2008-see news page for up-dates)
24 breeding cows and young
heifers, 2 bulls and 15 calves. All pedigree animals are
given a registered name starting
with a letter for the year; in
2007 we had Heartsease, Hebe, Hayley, Hester, Hannibal and Harry to name a few.
We hope to take the herd to approximately
twenty-five good quality breeding
cows and currently sell our own home-produced
traditionally butchered beef in
the farm shop.
Breed Background
Longhorns are an ancient breed of English cattle.
Over centuries they have been bred to produce their very recognisable
"bonnet" horns. They are now classified as a "traditional" rather
than "rare" breed of cattle. They are of good frame, and produce
a good carcass on fairly low input, which is of great value as
farming moves towards lower-input conservation-style production.
