for purebred calves. In recent years no financial support has been offered by either Governments or agencies leaving the breed's future in the hands of volunteers. During the Falklands War, five pregnant cows and one bull were sent to the Falkland Islands, to replace livestock killed in the conflict. They were sent by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, which surprised many, given how rare the cattle were. At that time, only 121 adult cows were registered; and this was seen as a way to boost numbers. The Shetland Cattle Herd Book Society has fought since 1981 to maintain the Herd Book in the islands of Shetland as the home of the breed. The SCHBS led several initiatives to record the special traits of the breed. These included weaning weight analysis and fatty acid analysis. As an ‘unimproved’ breed it still retains healthsome characteristics that have been lost from modern breeds. The meat and milk of the breed are proven through a range of studies to contain far more minerals and healthy fatty acids and far less unhealthy trans fatty acids than conventional modern breeds. Efforts to restore the Shetland breed continue. The Shetland Cattle Herd Book Society continues to protect the breed. The SCHBS now hosts a database and semen store where valuable genetics are preserved to maintain valuable traits and made available to members. The Shetland Cattle Breeder's Association, a group of mainland UK breeders, also provides assistance to its members concerning genetic records, breeding plans, husbandry, and the location of Shetland breeders. The association also provides advertising services for its members. Characteristics Shetland cattle are usually black and white, similar in colour to the Holstein Friesian breed. However, an estimated 10 per cent are red and white, while a small but growing percentage are dun and grey. The cows are typically smaller than most, ranging from —, while the bulls range from —. They are regarded as small in size by most breeders and organisations. Their horns curve upwards, but these are trimmed during commercial production. A long hairy coat protects the cattle during the winter, but this is shed during the summer months. Many breeders see many desirable traits in Shetland cattle, such as easy calving and fast growing to adult size. Use Shetland cattle are used as beef cattle in speciality, niche markets. These cattle are usually kept on small-scale farms that rely on a high