About the Business
The Woodbastwick herd was founded in 1840 with a cow purchased at Lord Suffield's sale of white, polled cattle at Gunton Park in Norfolk. This was crossed at first with a pure Hereford, and from this strain came the red points which, for many years, distinguished the Woodbastwick herd. Another herd kept a short distance away at Blickling Hall had predominantly black ears and noses, but in both herds there were reversions. If a red pointed calf was produced at Blickling it was sent to Woodbastwick and black pointed calves at Woodbastwick were sent to Blickling. This mixing of blood lines strengthened the breed and was probably a contributory factor in maintaining the herd at Woodbastwick when so many others of the time died out. As time went on Mr Cator also used a red Shorthorn bull and a half bred Aberdeen Angus bull. This restored the black points and these have now prevailed at Woodbastwick for many years.
Location & Hours
Estate Yard, Woodbastwick
