We are proud to have our own small herd of Randall cattle at Grid Iron Hill Farm. These cattle are characterised as a hardy but rare breed of cattle with good resistance to disease and parasites. They are the perfect breed of dairy cattle for small homesteads and farms. The breed almost went extinct in the 1980s, but has since been brought back from fewer than twenty animals to over 200. They are still classified as “critical” by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, so we take the best care of these cows in an effort to help bring the breed back to life.
The Randall cattle have a very unique color pattern classified as “colorsided”, similar to linebacked breeds of cattle. The predominant color is black or blue/black over white. Their hardiness as a breed makes them the ideal cow for small-scale dairying, homesteads, or a family cow. They don’t need much concentrated feed since they are aggressive foragers and can be milked in all seasons. They also excel as beef animals because they can finish well on grass alone, producing a healthier and more organic meat.
To learn more about the Randall breed, visit the Randall Cattle Registry, Inc.