Our aims
The Ancient Cattle of Wales society aims to conserve and promote the colour varieties of the old traditional Welsh cattle.
The society’s members believe in ensuring the survival of the ancient cattle of Wales as part of the living agricultural heritage of Wales.
The fact that they’ve survived so long is testament to their hardiness, their utility and their suitability to the mountainous Welsh terrain and often inclement weather!
Today, they have value anew as part of the rich tapestry which is the agricultural heritage of Wales.
Since its foundation, ACW has worked to:
- raise awareness of the existence and value of the old coloured Welsh cattle,
- conserve the colour varieties by registering appropriate cattle, and
- create a specialist market for the ancient cattle of Wales.
Our beginnings…
During the late 1970s, a few dedicated farmers set out, under the title of “The Coloured Cattle of Wales”, to find the remaining non-black cattle that still existed in the uplands of Wales and learn more about their history. This took several years, as most lived on remote hill farms. By 1981, it was felt that the time right to form a new breed society, as described below in the cutting from the Western Mail newspaper. The inaugural meeting of the new society was held in Dolgellau in September of that year, and the Ancient Cattle of Wales was born.
Initially, efforts were concentrated on inspecting all cattle submitted for inspection and the creation of a herd book, albeit from very low numbers to begin with. Since then, work has continued on increasing the numbers and quality of beasts being recorded in the herd book, developing the breed standard and getting the colours recognised by the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS).
Present day
Occasional sales are organised, with individual animals being advertised on this website between sales. In addition, work is currently being undertaken to get the breed fully recognised by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST). The Society’s Annual General Meeting continues to be held in September, and is always an interesting and lively event.
The current officers are:
| Hon. President: | Tim Ash, Bovey Tracey |
| Hon. Vice-Presidents: | Bruce McKay, Pennal; Meirion and Ceinwen Owen |
| Chair: | Mike Lewis |
| Vice-Chair: | Helen Upson |
| Secretaries: | Jenny Davies and Jessi Stephens |
| Treasurer: | Jessi Stephens |
| Website Officer: | Jane Ricketts Hein |
New members are always very welcome – whether you already own cattle or are just interested in helping to protect and develop a vital piece of Welsh landscape and culture.