To create further awareness about the breed, Mr Holmes has shown Shorthorns to cattle handling students across the Coast at both Yolla and Sheffield high schools.

In the past his farm has also been haven for senior citizen bus tours, full of members eager to reminisce about the days when Shorthorns were not so rare.

"They all come out in bunches and say `oh look there, I remember those from the days I grew up on a farm'," Mr Holmes said.

"Every one has a cow story."

But for all the stories they had made over the years the pair admitted they had also encountered their fair share challenges.

"Since the horse flu virus outbreak, quarantine regulations have become much stricter for unlicensed bull semen coming from the mainland," Mr Holmes said.

"Where we used to have around 30 or 40 good genetic suppliers around Australia we now only have around three or four which are able to gain licences."

Despite their success, the pair desperately need help from other dairy farmers to keep their Shorthorn preservation plan alive.

"I know a lot of people who would love to keep one or two on their hobby farms, but that won't help them breed," Mr Holmes said.

"We need dairy farmers to take a couple and blend them with into their herds, milk them, breed them and then breed them again.

"My main dream is to have dairy Shorthorn accepted by 30 or 40 dairy farms, even if it is just a couple each."

After this cycle Mr Holmes said he hoped the Shorthorns could be returned to mainland when it rains.

"It's a little bit like saving the Tasmanian Devil, but the other way round," Mr Holmes laughed.

"We have a long way to go but hopefully they will one day be taken of the endangered species list."

For more information call Warrick and Betty on 63678229 or email cavesidefarms@bigpond.com