Bayliss
cattle tend to be medium to large framed for the breed, and most have fairly
long horns with an upward and outward twist. Colors vary to include most base
colors: black, red, brown, brindle, yellow, and smoky. Spotting included
colorsided, linebacked, white with dark points, and roan.
The
herd owned by Jack Bayliss of Petal, Mississippi was one of the larger source
herds of Pineywoods cattle. The herd numbered about 160, and consisted of
cattle from older lines of Griffin, Thornhill, and Carter cattle.
The Griffin
cattle are yellow, and can reputedly be traced at least in part to French
cattle introduced to the area in about 1850. The Griffins ran a sawmill, and
the original importation included 300 head.
These are small round cattle, with
large twisted horns that have a very Spanish character. The Griffin cattle were
used locally as dairy cattle, although this no longer continues. The Thornhill
cattle are white with red points, and are reputed to be English origin. The
Carter strain have been in existence for 100 years or so and are a family
strain of cattle from wife of Jack Baylis. Carter cattle vary in color
immensely, but do not include black or black derived colors or patterns since
this was taken as evidence of Angus breeding. It is interesting that black was
the preferred base color in several of the other pure herds, such as the Holt
cattle.
---
Phil Sponenberg
