Ireland’s association with cattle goes back thousands of years, cows were an integral part of Irish society. The Kerry cow is the oldest cow in existence in Europe and her origins can be traced back to 4000 B.C., or possibly even earlier.
Today in the face of globalisation and industrialised farming, this unique animal is under threat of dying out. The situation is critical.
Rejected in today’s market economy, she does not fit neatly into the concept of mass production and commercialism. Instead this animal belongs to a residual minority who do not adhere to the concept of a high input/high output system.
Her keepers have a deep sense of responsibility and share a compassionate and caring attitude towards the land and their animals.
The Kerry Cattle Breeders are doing their utmost to preserve the existence of this animal for future generations, but they are struggling.
Because the Kerry cow is not appreciated in commercial terms, her quality as an economic producer is overlooked. Her milk is of excellent quality and ideally suited to the production of artisan cheese and dairy products.
She is smaller than European breeds and has a low impact on the environment. Capable of giving good yields on relatively poor land, she can survive the harsh Irish climate. This animal has the potential to contribute to the reduction of Ireland’s carbon footprint and is ecologically far more suited to the Irish land than over-bred, intensively farmed commercial cattle. Additionally, the Kerry has a role to play in conservation as she can graze rough, hilly terrain where other breeds of cattle cannot reach.
“The Kerry cow is a jewel in Irish Agricultural Heritage and is sadly neglected by the state” Paddy Fenton (Dingle)