This film is part of Free

Cow Auction

A cow auction is underway in Devon

Current affairs 1978 1 mins Silent

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Overview

This cow auction is taking place on a farm in Devon and North Devon Reds or Devon Ruby cows are for sale. The cows have a distinctive deep auburn coat. Originally an ancient breed, it is an animal famed for its high quality beef and has been exported to America and Australia. The get together on a farm is a rather informal and local way to trade.

Most beef is produced from heifers, females that haven’t had young or cows, females that have had young as well as steers or neutered males with bulls produced for breeding purposes although oxen or adult neutered bulls are also used for meat. In 2001 Foot and mouth disease swept across the UK and because so many animals were moved long distances to markets, the crisis quickly spread nationwide. Although the virus is not dangerous to human health it infects cloven hoofed animals. Livestock trading was severely affected and reopened with more stringent controls over the movement and trade of live animals.