Randall Cattle
April with her 2012 calf, Judy
Randall/Randall Lineback Cattle are one of the rarest and most endangered breeds of cattle in the United States. They are the only genetically pure land-race breed surviving in the United States. Randall's were originally bred in the 17th century colonial America as an all-purpose cow providing meat, dairy, and oxen to our ancestors. Sometime in the 1800s began the creation of standardized and specialized beef cattle that you see today. Thanks to the Randall family, they kept a closed herd of these precious cattle until 1985. This created a living genetic time capsule and ultimately saved the breed from extinction. All Randalls today can be traced back to the Randall Family.
In 1985 the Randall numbers had dwindled to just a handful. Elizabeth "Libby" Henson, daughter of Joe Henson of UK's Rare Breed Survival Trust played a critical role in the survival of the Randall Breed. In 1985 Libby became the Executive Director of the American Livestock Conservancy. Libby was made aware of the Randall Cattle remaining and stepped in to preserve them after death of Everett Randall.
Randall Cattle are designated as "critical" by the American Minor Breeds Conservancy (later known as the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy and now known as the The Livestock Conservancy.) Randall Cattle/Randall Lineback Cattle are still listed as critical on the Conservation Priority List for the TLC which means that there are less than 200 annual registrations in the United States.
Randall cattle vary in size, color and conformation and have a constitution that is uniquely adapted to extensive or low input farming systems. Historically, the most suitable and natural environment for these cattle has been on small scale forage-based farms, subsistence farms, and homesteads. It is on such farms and homesteads that the unique genetic attributes of the Randalls can be fully expressed.
We love our Randall Cattle!
Randalls have not been subjected to artificially narrow breeding selections and this has preserved the original feral nature of the breed. They are excellent foragers and thrive on a pasture based system. They have very good resistance to disease and parasites. They have excellent mothering skills.
We are searching for like minded farmers who's primary goal is conservation of this incredible breed. Selling 1 or 2 to a person because they are pretty is not the answer. The solution to the problem is finding dedicated people who will adapt to the cows, keep them the way they are, and follow "the old ways" in order to bring out the best in these cows. If you are interested in a starter herd and are serious about the survival of the breed, please contact us.
Grass-fed beef is available from our Randall herd. See our beef page for current availability.
