|
|
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
Lowline
Angus cattle were developed in Australia from a research
project which began in 1963.
Registered Angus cattle were divided into groups based
on performance testing. Growth
potential was measured with a goal of determining
whether the larger animals or smaller
animals
(low lines)
 would
convert protein more efficiently from
grass to meat. It was definitively
determined that the smaller cattle were more effective
performers and the Low Line Angus breed
was formed from the cattle in this research study. It is
an important distinction that Lowlines
were not formed from cattle with a dwarfism gene
mutation, but instead from smaller standard
beef cattle. They do not develop the pot bellies, large
misshapen heads, calving or immunity
problems often associated with dwarfism in other
miniature breeds.
Since that time, this
limited herd has been maintained
by DNA testing to confirm
parentage and
ensure consistency.
The
cattle
selected for breeding
have been chosen for conformation,
temperament, and maternal characteristics. They have
been imported into the United States for
since the early 1990's and the breeders market for
these animals remains strong. The high
quality meat obtained from these animals that lack the
eye problems of the Hereford cattle have
made them very popular and they have proved adaptable to
a wide variety of climates.
What we like most about Australian Lowline Angus cattle
is the ease of handling them. Most of
the families that raise cattle in our area are facing
the reality of needing a day job. More women
are working with cattle as their husbands work outside
the home. More retired and elderly
farmers are working into their 80s and 90s on the farm.
As a medical doctor in a rodeo
community, I treat farm injuries almost on a daily basis
and many could be avoided with better
cattle selection techniques. Safety around the ranch is
increasingly important, as is the practical
need for cattle that one person can handle easily.
Lowlines can be managed without large
equipment and with inexpensive fencing.
It is important
for us to know that our cows will be
home when we get there and that we wont be called away
from work to gather cattle that have
jumped or torn through a fence. This has made our cattle
operation much more functional and
practical for us. It is really no fun to get chased up a
bale of hay by an unhappy mama cow. Weonly keep cattle on the ranch that will follow a bucket
and only breed cattle that have not shown
aggressive behaviors.
|
| |
|
|
|
