Kerry beast carries a heavy burden

Kerry cattle were first recognised as a breed in 1839 and were once dominant in Ireland, but now they are veering towards extinction due to the popularity of Friesian and Holstein, writes Ray Ryan

The survival of the Kerry cattle breed, believed to be one of the oldest in Europe, is under threat. Today there are 90 herds totalling 900 of these cattle in Ireland. Small herds are also present in the US, Canada and Britain.

However, there are fears about the survival of what was once the dominant breed in Ireland, with a reputation for producing quality milk. One reason for the decline was the increase in popularity of other breeds, such as Friesian and Holstein.