WHAT THE HECK IS A CATTALO?

Tucked away in Murphy barn at the village is a display. That display features an advertisement. It reads: “HYBRID BUFFALOES - For the production of Fine Beef and Handsome Robes.” Hybrid Buffaloes? What on earth could that be? Allow me to introduce you to the wacky world of - The Cattalo.

In the 1800s, wild bison in the Americas were plentiful.  Then, they almost went extinct at the hands of over-enthusiastic hunters. Thus, a strong campaign to preserve the remaining Bison was set in motion. Ranchers began taking care of their own bison herds. National bison reserves began to appear. Then, a few farmers began to take things a step further by crossing cattle and bison. Historians credit Charles Goodnight from Texas and Charles Jones from Kansas. This created a new species, known as the Cattalo (or Beefalo).

Salespeople marketed the animal as an alternative to bison meat and hide. They were easier to tame and breed; Though some have said that they made for stubborn herd animals. Though popular for a time, the Cattalo seems to have lost its lustre. Considered a “novelty” breed by the National Bison Association, few people raise Cattalo.

Here at Settler’s Village, it seemed that Bobcaygeon had its fair share of cattalo as well! The advertisement mentioned above belonged to Young Mossom Boyd, the son of the first postmaster of the Bobcaygeon post office. The Boyd family legacy stretches farther than postal work. Boyd Sr.’s lumber business gave him the name of “The Lumber King of the Trent Valley.” His son, a fellow businessman, marketed his Cattalo well, with their fur “as thick and much handsomer than pure Buffaloes.” 

In the end, the cattalo proved to be beneficial for both the humans, and the bison in North America. Due to their domestication, bison populations grew in droves. This popular hybridization may have been the reason bison still thrive today. In fact, most modern day bison share a small percentage of their DNA with cattle. It is a small genetic reminder of this interesting historical phenomenon.

Fun Fact: The bust of Napoleon, Bobcaygeon’s most famous Cattalo, is hanging at the Boyd Heritage Museum, located at 21 Canal Street East in Bobcaygeon!

What would you name your baby Cattalo calf? They do seem awfully cute!

Be sure to check out Murphy barn if you come to the village!

Liam Parker