History

The Luing Breed (pronounced "Ling") was developed by the Cadzow brothers on the Island of Luing which is situated off the West Coast of Scotland. There are now herds of Luing throughout Great Britain and Ireland, Europe, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South America.

Photo courtesy of Monzie Farm, www.monziefarm.co.uk

Full credit most be given to the two great beef breeds which were the foundation of the Luing - the Beef Shorthorn and the Highlander of the 1940's. No two British breeds are more complementary to each other, with both of them having contributed something of great value to the Luing. Among these qualities are the ruggedness and hardiness gained from the Highlander and the fleshing qualities from the Shorthorn.

The herd on Luing was started with the selection in 1947 of some of the best first cross Shorthorn/Highland heifers that could be procured. These heifers were bred to the Shorthorn bull, Cruggleton Alastair. Two sons of this breeding were kept and mated to their half sisters: Luing Mist in 1952 and Luing Oxo in 1953. From then on, by following up this in-breeding with line-breeding, the Luing breed was firmly established and with many generations sired by Luing bulls, they proved themselves as breeding true to type. The British Government officially recognised the Luing as a breed in its own right in 1965.

Characteristics

The Luing breed can be red, golden, white or a combination of those colours, they have a thick hide carrying a heavy winter coat, particularly the young cattle.

Statistics

Luing are bred for extensive farming, easy to winter outside, requiring little supplementary feeding.

They have weather instinct - the ability to find shelter in coarse conditions.

Good foraging ability.

Great breeding performance, breeding 9 to 10 calves or more.

A strong mothering instinct.

Docile

Good conformation and correct feet and legs.

Long living

Comparative

In cold climates they are noted for efficient conversion of feed energy. Luings require only 0.8% energy increase per degree F below a base temperature, compared to a 1% energy increase for most other breeds.

The heavy coat of a Luing cow will save up to 3.8 lbs of hay daily at zero degrees F (-17.8 C) and is easily shed in summer.

Distribution

There are now herds of Luing throughout Great Britain and Ireland, Europe, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South America.

References (the above information was cited from the following sites)

luingcattlesociety.co.uk
www.luingcattle.com
www.tasmanianluings.bigpondhosting.com
www.monziefarm.co.uk