Vaynol
(most common name)
(transboundary/brand name)

(local/other name):
• Faenol

The Vaynol dates back to 1872 when 16 white cattle (1 bull, 9 cows, 6 heifers) from the Kilmory herd in Argyllshire were sent to Vaynol Park — which is near the coast in northwest Wales, opposite the island of Anglesey (Ynys Môn in Welsh).

The Vaynol has always been considered endangered because there has always been so few of them (never more than 33 breeding cows and heifers). In 1980, Vaynol Park was sold and they had to be moved. This did not go well at the first five locations. Finally, in 1989, the sixth location (Temple Newsam Estate at Leeds in Yorkshire) was found suitable by the herd and they thrived again.

The Vaynol is registered and administered by the White Park Cattle Society. However, they have been considered a separate breed from the White Park since 1989; their first herdbook was published in 1991.

Vaynol can be white with black points, unicolored black, and occasionally speckled or pied. They are semi-feral, classified as primitive, and have a noticeable sloping rump from hip to pin. (Sloping rumps are associated with ease of calving.)

This page was last updated on: 2023-05-21

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