[4]: 4  During that century large numbers of cattle were exported from the Channel Islands to England; some of them had previously been brought from France.

It traditionally had several other good qualities: it was long-lived, calved without difficulty, grazed well and – being relatively small-sized – was an efficient milk producer.

[3]: 192  These advantages have been compromised by recent selective breeding strategies, which have led to larger animals, with longer legs.

These no longer display the traditional qualities of the breed; this is particularly marked where there has been cross-breeding with Holstein-Friesian stock.

However, the cow is usually removed from the dairy herd around ages six to eight,[citation needed] and marketed for beef, and other processed meats.