"...when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another Heaven and another Earth must pass before such a one can be again."
-William Beebe

Randall Lineback Cattle

The Randall Lineback is a purebred remnant of lineback-patterned cattle once common in New England. Though the origins of the breed are not clear, it is likely to have originated in New England from a combination of Dutch, English, and French cattle. Historically, Linebacks were multi-purpose, used for dairy, beef, and oxen, and served as an integral part of rural New England life for several centuries. The population was not formally -organized, except for the brief existence of the Columbian breed association in the early 1900s. Most of the Lineback population was lost this century through crossbreeding with Holsteins.

The "lineback" part of the breed's name -describes the characteristic lineback color pattern. The cattle are blue-black with a white line down their backs. The roan coloring on their sides -varies from almost black to nearly white, with black noses, eye rings, ears, feet, and teats. Between the extremes are many animals that are blue roan or speckled. All of the variants are stunning, especially against a background of green grass.

The name Randall comes from the Randall family in Vermont, who kept a closed herd of Linebacks for over eighty years. The Randall herd was one of the few herds of Linebacks that was not crossbred with Holsteins. After the death of Everett Randall, however, the herd was dispersed and most of the animals were lost to slaughter. Through a convoluted pathway and with the efforts of American Livestock Breeds Conservancy members, a small part of the herd was saved and has been the foundation for conservation efforts.

Randall Linebacks are medium in size. Some variation in conformation does occur, but the majority of cows have dairy conformation and well-developed udders. The bulls are large and demonstrate good growth rates. A few steers have been trained as oxen, a task at which they excel. Their unusual color, willingness, and -ability make them attractive and capable draft animals.

The Randall Lineback breed is distinct from the American Lineback, which includes any dairy animal with the lineback color pattern. Though the American Lineback registry includes some animals of historic breeding, this population falls short of the genetic definition of a breed.

Randall Lineback cattle are critically rare, with fewer than 150 animals distributed among a few herds. The cattle are being closely managed for increasing numbers and maintaining genetic health. The breed is more secure now than in the recent past, although its survival is still tenuous.

Status: Critical

SOURCES: Please contact ALBC for more information regarding this breed.

Breed clubs and associations:
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, PO Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27312, (919) 542-5704, email albc@albc-usa.org, www.albc-usa.org

Randall Cattle Registry Inc. , Phillip Lang, 175 A Greer Mountain Road, South Kent, CT 06785, (860) 927-4457, email phil@randallcattleregistry.org, www.randalcattleregistry.org

Randall Lineback Breed Association, Reagan Duncan, PO Box 797, Berryville, VA 22611, (540) 955-6367, email chapelhill@randalllineback, www.randalllineback.com