Brockling, A Mottling of the Facts

The brockling gene Bc is what causes the brockle or mottled faces and legs we often see when we cross Herefords with Angus. There are many breeds that carry this gene, although most spotted breeds, such as Hereford for the most part do not carry it. Normande cattle are one of a few spotted breeds where Bc is common. Bc is dominant, and all it takes is one copy for the trait to be expressed. The amount of brockling is not increased when there are 2 genes present rather than just 1. The Bc affects all white patterns by putting darker colored areas within the white areas, usually on the legs and face. ss animals that carry this gene will often be spotted as normal, but where white is present on their legs they will be mottled.

BcBc and Bcbc animals will express broken patches of color within white spots. They may tie into the colored areas on the animal, or they may be completely separate. If one copy of Bc is present you will see brockling.

This animals is BcBc, she exhibits more color than white, but that is not always the case.

These 3 are all Bcbc animals. The goggles on the last one are more likely due to the Bc gene than any other.

This animal is also Bcbc, but she exhibits the mottling on her legs also

bcbc animals however will not express the mottling. There are other genes which are thought to cause the goggle eyes in the Hereford and Simmental breeds, so it is possible for a bcbc animal to express similar marking and still be Bc free. There is also thought to be a separate gene that causes the freckle effect sometimes seen within the Hereford breed.

These 3 exhibit the goggle eyes, and are more than likely not due to the Bc gene. As you can see, other than their eyes, they have no other brockling type markings.