Randall Lineback

{{short description|American breed of cattle}} {{infobox cattle breed | name = Randall Lineback | image = Randall Bull Andy.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = A bull | image2 = Randalloxteam.jpg | image_size2 = | image_alt2 = | image_caption2= Yoked pair of oxen | status = {{ubl|FAO (2007): endangered{{r|barb|page=142}}|DAD-IS (2020): critical-maintained{{r|dad}}|{{nobreak|The Livestock Conservancy (2020): critical{{r|tlc}}}}}} | altname = {{ubl|Randall|Randall Blue Lineback{{r|jan|page=305}}|Randall Blue{{r|jan|page=305}}}} | country = United States | distribution = Vermont | standard = | use = | weight = | maleweight = | femaleweight = | height = | maleheight = | femaleheight = | skincolour = | coat = | horn = horned | subspecies = taurus | note = }}

The '''Randall Lineback''' or '''Randall''' is an American breed of cattle. It originated in Bennington County, Vermont, and is critically endangered.{{r|jan|page=289|cabi|page2=278}}

== History ==

The Randall derives from traditional linebacked or color-sided cattle once widespread in New England, in the north-eastern United States. These were triple-purpose cattle, reared for milk, for beef and for draft work, and are thought to have derived from cattle of British, Dutch and French origin.{{r|cabi|p=278|slow}}

From 1912, a herd of cattle of this type was kept largely isolated from outside breeding on the farm of the Randall family in either Arlington{{r|jan|p=289}} or Sunderland in Bennington County, Vermont.{{r|cabi|p=278}} The family also kept some Guernsey stock, and there may have been some cross-breeding with these.{{r|jan|p=289}} After the family ceased dairy farming, the whole herd was kept at pasture for approximately fifteen years.{{r|jan|p=289}} In 1985, it was dispersed, and many animals were slaughtered;{{r|slow}} with the involvement of some members of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (now The Livestock Conservancy), six bulls and nine cows were bought for conservation reasons and taken to Tennessee.{{r|cabi|p=278|jan|p2=289|slow}} A breed society was formed in 2005. The Randall became a State Heritage Breed of the state of Vermont.{{r|cabi|p=278}}

It is a rare breed. In 2015, the total number was over 500 head; in 2022 its conservation status was listed by the Livestock Conservancy as 'critical'.{{r|tlc2}}

== Characteristics == Randall cattle are quite variable in size and conformation and have a constitution that is suited to the New England climate. Randalls on average are medium in size with the cows weighing about 600-1100 lbs. and bulls weighing from 1000 to 1800 lbs. or more. Randall cattle have a "Colour-sided" lineback pattern, black markings on a white base, varying from almost white to very dark. Other subtle shades such as blue, mahogany, and gray have been observed, and there are now a number of recessive reds.

This breed is uniquely adapted to extensive or low input farming systems. Historically, the most suitable and natural environment for these cattle has been on small scale forage-based farms, subsistence farms, and homesteads. It is on such farms and homesteads that the unique genetic attributes of the Randalls can be fully expressed.<ref>[http://www.acresusa.com/toolbox/reprints/Dec03_Randall%20Cattle.pdf Randall Cattle. Milk production on grass. Philip B. Lang PDF] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914010555/http://www.acresusa.com/toolbox/reprints/Dec03_Randall%20Cattle.pdf |date=2007-09-14 }}</ref>

== Use ==

Randall Cattle are an all-purpose breed, meaning they originally served as dairy, meat, and draft animals.

== References == {{commonscat}} {{reflist|45em|refs=

<ref name=barb>Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20200623201209/http://www.fao.org/3/a1250e/annexes/List%20of%20breeds%20documented%20in%20the%20Global%20Databank%20for%20Animal%20Genetic%20Resources/List_breeds.pdf List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources], annex to: [https://web.archive.org/web/20170110125634/http://www.fao.org/3/a-a1250e.pdf ''The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture'']. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. {{isbn|9789251057629}}. Archived 23 June 2020.</ref>

<ref name=cabi>Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). [https://books.google.it/books?id=2UEJDAAAQBAJ&hl=it ''Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding''] (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. {{isbn|9781780647944}}.</ref>

<ref name=dad>[http://www.fao.org/dad-is/browse-by-country-and-species/en/ Breed data sheet: Randall Lineback / United States of America (Cattle)]. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed November 2020.</ref>

<ref name=jan>Janet Vorwald Dohner (2001). ''The Encyclopedia of Historic and Endangered Livestock and Poultry Breeds''. New Haven, Connecticut; London: Yale University Press. {{isbn|0300088809}}.</ref>

<ref name=slow>[https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/randall-cattle/ Randall Cattle: Ark of taste]. Bra, Cuneo: Fondazione Slow Food per la Biodiversità Onlus/Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity. Accessed October 2022.</ref>

<ref name=tlc>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200921144130/https://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/randall Randall or Randall Lineback]. The Livestock Conservancy. Archived 7 November 2020.</ref>

<ref name=tlc2>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220428214128/https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/heritage-breeds-list/randall-lineback-cattle/ Randall or Randall Lineback]. The Livestock Conservancy. Archived 28 April 2022.</ref>

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Category:Cattle breeds originating in the United States Category:Sunderland, Vermont Category:Conservation Priority Breeds of the Livestock Conservancy