Traditionally, the South Devon cow is a triple purpose breed: that is, productively milking, producing butterfat and excellent beef. But in the early 19th century they were also used to draw ploughshares.

The breed are nicknamed Orange Elephants, for their wide faces, big ears and rusty coloured coats. They are also the largest native breed in the UK today, which also have have helped them get this name.

The breed dates back to the time of the Norman invasion when they were introduced to Britain from Normandy. South Devons were also exported to the American colonies including a few on the famous Mayflower which transported the now famous 'Pilgrims' to America.

For the most part, its breeding was somewhat haphazard until the formation of the South Devon Herd Book Society in 1891, whose stated goal to improve and maintain the purity of the breed.

South Devon cows have evolved to become distinct from their North Devon cousins, the Ruby Red cattle.

In the early twentieth century South Devons were known primarily for their milk. The most famous individual of all was 'Milkmaid' who set a world record for butter yield in 24 hours. It is this characteristic which Taverner's farm is endeavouring to restore.

Recently, Melody, our prize heifer, was artificially inseminated with 45-year old semen from the rare breed society's national genetic archive. At the time of writing we hope she is pregnant and that it's a boy!

The Taverners' have recently won the Devon Diversification Award at the Devon County Show. We've also been visited by Jimmy of the BBC TV program Jimmy's Farm and will be featured in his new series Jimmy's Farming Heroes in 2008.