Red Devon

Originating from the south west of England, Red Devon cattle are considered one of the oldest recognised breeds and were originally used for draft work, due to their docile and intelligent nature as well as their great muscling ability.

They were first introduced to New Zealand in the early 19th century and in the early days, they were used for hauling heavy kauri logs in the North Island.

Today Red Devon are mainly used to produce top quality beef. They are proven to be very great foragers and efficient converters of grass to beef; a great fit and well suited to grazing New Zealand’s hill country and an all-pasture feed system. This is an important value to commercial beef and dairy industries in today’s economic climate with increased farm running costs and changing weather patterns.

They are a hardy breed and have the thickest hides of any cattle in the world, which helps them to have a better resistance to external parasites. This also helps them to be able to adapt to various weather conditions, whether it be wet, cold, or hot and dry. Their red colour coat helps to protect them against the sun and red eye pigment helps to prevent cancer of the eye, which can occur in many breeds.

Due to their medium size and low maintenance requirements, they are easy cattle to farm over the winter with minimal supplement needed and limited pugging of the pasture. Other attributes are their high fertility, ease of calving, strong mothering, early maturing and longevity.

They are considered one of the most fertile of all cattle breeds. Heifers can calve before becoming a two year old and are able to get back in calf in 45 days and can produce and rear ten or more calves in their lifetime. Due to their docile nature and ability to produce well marbled, tender and great tasting high quality meat, Red Devon are becoming more recognised as a strong breed of the future.

Whilst there are not as many herds in New Zealand compared to other beef breeds, there has been a renewed interest in them over recent years, particularly as they are so well suited to our pasture-based systems and ability to adapt and thrive in our environment, whether it be on the flat or on severe hill country.