Paul Sims’ herd of American British White Park Cattle move as a wave of white, trotting up to the fence to greet him on his Dent County farm. Paul claims he rarely feeds the cattle, except necessary hay in the winter, but maintains that the breed’s affection for humans is inherited.
Most breed enthusiast claim that the breed can be traced all the way back to the speckled cattle mentioned in the Bible. The British White Park made its way to America during WWII. “They were the King’s cattle,” Paul said, mentioning that a sample of the breed was sent from England during the war to protect them from a possible Nazi invasion. Once over here, they stayed.
Paul and his wife Lois, along with their daughters Krystal and Alisha, have kept a herd of registered American British White Parks since 1991. The Sims’ 390-acre farm south of Rolla, Mo., originally ran a herd of commercial cattle until Paul’s father took notice of a neighbor’s American British White Parks.
“That year it was real snowy and those cows made it on dang near nothing,” Paul said. “He saw the efficiency and then he saw no problems calving. He saw no health problems to speak of.”
Paul also stated that the breed is known for being especially fertile. Even the very young heifers can accidentally be bred if caution isn’t taken. He also mentioned that twins are not an uncommon occurrence on his farm, averaging about a pair each year. The cows have had no problems raising them either. The breed’s smaller udder size also helps newborn calves nurse easier and the cows don’t often have any udder problems.
Paul said his mature cow size is around 1,000 to 1,200 pounds for a grass fed animal. “I’ve had them bigger. I had one that was 1,800 but she was a show cow that didn’t breed until she was two and a half,” he said.
Paul mentioned that even though white with black points is the standard breed color, occasionally a solid red or black will be found. “If it’s a bull you better have it standard or you don’t get him registered. He has to be definitely noticeable as white,” Paul said.
According to Paul there are about 500 breeders of American British White Parks nationwide, growing at a rate increase of close to 50 per year. Paul thinks the breed’s disease resistance and hardiness are some reasons why.
Paul has felt the change on his own farm as well. He was running close to 100 momma cows last year but is down to 50 after meeting a major league baseball player at Farm Fest last year. The man showed interest in the breed and wanted to buy some of Paul’s animals. Shortly after that he showed up at the Sims’ farm and took half of their herd home with him.
Paul mentioned that his herd size will need to stay manageable as his life gets busier but expects the breed to continue to see rapid growth in the years to come.
