The Luing (pronounced "Ling") breed was developed by the Cadzow brothers on the island of Luing off the west coast of Scotland. The Cadzows wanted a cow herd that would thrive in their harsh environment and produce quality beef calves economically. Due to the conditions on the island, the breed evolved into an outstanding roughage converter with the inherent ability to utilise low quality feed. These traits make the Luing breed an ideal choice in many areas of the world where beef cattle are maintained on low quality forages.

 

The new breed was created by combining the best of the Beef Shorthorn and Scottish Highland cattle breeds. After many generations, the breed type became firmly established with the British Government officially recognising Luing as a breed in its own right in 1965.​

 

Luing cows are fertile and inherit the exceptional longevity of their distant Highland ancestors. Luing are regular breeders averaging at least nine calves in their lifetime. Teenage cows are common and some continue to produce calves beyond twenty years of age. Considering the large financial investment involved in rearing a replacement heifer, longevity in the cow herd is a much overlooked trait. Canadian Luing cattle have the ability to do well in cold weather due to their heavy winter coat which sheds easily for summer comfort.

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Update! Check out this great video below from the early 1970s where Shane and Denis Cadzow demonstrate and talk about their development of the breed. 

Video HERE

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