Their History
The American White Park is a large white breed with black or red points
(ears, nose and eyes). Cows average 1000 pounds and bulls between 1700-1800
pounds. The cattle are predominately polled with 3 to 5% horned. They are
docile and the cows milk well.
Today, American White Parks are promoted and selected as a beef breed. The
breed's origin, however, is not clear. Some think it is largely descended from
the British
White, a hornless, dual purpose breed from the eastern countries of
England. Others feel that the American White Park is primarily Angus
in origin with some White
Park breeding introduced from the breeding pairs of White
Park brought in during World War II to Canada. According to this
theory the offspring of the original importation were sent to the Bronx Zoo,
from there they were split into two groups. One was sent to the King
Ranch in Texas and formed the nucleus herd of the White
Park in the United States. The second groups was sent to Washington
and played a part in the formation of the American White Park.
Regardless of the origin of the breed the American White Park should not be
confused with the ancient White
Park of Britain. In genetic marker tests the White Park has been
found to be a very distinct breed from either the American White Park or the British
White breed so any contribution they may have made to these breeds has
been greatly diluted by the introduction of other breeds
The breed association was formed in 1975. It maintained an open herd book
policy for six months during which time 300-400 animals of varying
documentation but the correct appearance were included. Since that time a
number of purebred British White bulls have been imported into the U.S. and
introduced into American bloodlines.
The American White Park is comparable in size to the Hereford,
Angus,
and Shorthorn
cattle.
Content Providers:
(American) White Park Cattle Association of America, 419 North Water Street,
Madrid, Iowa 50156 Phone: (515) 795-2013.
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Box 477, Pittsboro, North
Carolina U.S.A. 27312 Phone: (919) 542-5704.
Lawrence Alderson, Trustee and Founder Chairman of Rare Breeds
International, Trustee of Traditional Livestock Foundation, and Executive
Director of Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
