Lloyd

A friend of ours has a pet steer called Lloyd. He is now 6 years old and was unwanted by his mother at birth. He is a huge beast weighing over 1 tonne. The owner can hand feeds him vegetables and puts them right into his mouth. Not sure I would be happy to do that.

The Poll Hereford was first developed in significant numbers by Hereford breeders in the USA. The breeders (from the Mid-West) saw benefits in a hornless breed, so naturally occurring ‘hornless’ Herefords were selected and bred. By 1907 there were sufficient numbers to establish the first Poll Hereford register.

The breed was introduced to Australia in 1920, when three bulls and three cows were imported into Queensland. The breed is adaptable and so it is now well established throughout Australia.

The characteristic colour markings of the Hereford are medium to rich red, with white markings on the face, brisket, neckline, crest, switch and legs (below the knees and hocks). The distinctive white face tends to dominate in crosses with other breeds

(For the non-country folk, a steer is a male bovine (or bull) that has been castrated before reaching sexual maturity and is primarily used for beef.)