Luing Videos
Here is a great video from the early 1970s where Shane and Denis Cadzow demonstrate and talk about their development of the breed.
With their two layer hair coats Luings are well adapted to the winter climate in Manitoba where they can experience temperatures below -40C (-40F) Here they are pumping their own water from two Frost Free Nose Pumps. They walk half a mile from their feed ground to get water and are undeterred by extreme cold.
A Luing cow showing her dexterity in grazing through 8" of snow
While Luings are well suited to cold Canadian winters it is equally important that they easily shed the winter coats when spring arrives. With our summers typically having days that reach 35C (97F) a slick, shiny hair coat helps them tolerate both heat and the fly/bug pressure.
In their first summer in Manitoba my Luings discovered the Red Osier Dogwood, a shrub they hadn't previously encountered. Intrigued by their enthusiasm I did some research and found this plant was highly valued by Native Americans for its medicinal attributes. These cattle are smart!
Another new food source the cows discovered in Manitoba were hawthorn berries! Every Fall when the berries are ripe they carefully harvest them by wrapping their tongues around the bunches and somehow avoiding the 2 inch spikes that cover the branches.