Where did Speckle Park originate?
Speckle Park originated in Saskatchewan, Canada. Unlike most cattle breeds, Speckle Park is not an imported breed. It is the first and only beef breed ever to be developed in Saskatchewan and one of the few to be developed in Canada.

When did Speckle Park come into existence?
In the early 1960's. In 1959 Bill & Eileen Lamont of Maidstone, Saskatchewan, bought their first speckled animal from Mary Lindsay of Greenstreet, Saskatchewan. They crossed it with one of their registered black Angus bulls and the result was what we now call 'Speckle Park'. It was sometime in the early 1960's that the Lamonts and others decided to make it a breed and to name the breed 'Speckle Park'.

What breeds make up Speckle Park?
The English settlers who founded Lloydminster brought with them from England dual purpose Shorthorns and other cattle with the White Park colour pattern. These animals gave Speckle Park their distinctive colour patterns. They were then bred to black Angus to create what is now known as 'Speckle Park'.

Why would one want to raise Speckle Park?
Their number one strong point is their consistently high quality carcass. They are also easy calving, feed efficient, docile, and hardy and healthy. The present beef industry is demanding 600 to 700 lb. carcasses of well marbled beef. That is exactly what Speckle Park has to offer. The meat is lean, yet well marbled. Butchers are impressed with the fact that Speckle Park are able to achieve AAA marbling without the thick layer of outer fat which usually accompanies a AAA carcass. The AAA marbling makes for tasty, tender beef. Breeders of the larger framed breeds are finding Speckle Park bulls a good choice for breeding. They not only contribute to calving ease but also decrease carcass size and increase carcass quality.

Are Speckle Park distinct purebred breed?
Yes. On July 6 of 2006 Speckle Park were granted distinct breed status by the Canadian Minster of Agriculture according to the terms of Canada's Animal Pedigree Act 1988.

How are Speckle Park now registered?
Speckle Park are now registered as Purebred, Percentage or Appendix. The period for eligibility as Foundation Stock has ended. For the details of the rules of eligibility for registration, please consult Sections 15, 16, and 17 of the By-laws of the Association. Click here to view the By-laws

What about the old categories used when Speckle Park were being developed?
Before becoming a distinct breed Speckle Park were recorded as being identified or recognized and their status was recorded as seed stock or A, F1, F2, F3, etc. These categories are no longer used and were replaced by Purebred, Percentage or Appendix when Speckle Park became a distinct breed. Some older Speckle Park may still have identification papers with this older terminology. The papers may be converted to the new terminology when they are submitted to the Association's Registrar.

Who is the Association's Registrar?
Canadian Livestock Records Corporation is the Association's Registrar and maintains the registry of all Canadian Speckle Park. To contact the Corporation click here

Can I use other breeds to breed up to purebred Speckle Park?
No. With the end of 2006 the Speckle Park herd book was effectively closed to breeding up from any other breed.

Is every animal with a Speckle Park colour pattern a Speckle Park?
No. Speckle Park are more than a colour pattern. There are many other breeds and crosses of these breeds which share these same patterns.