American Aberdeen Angus

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

I stand corrected about the research was in Australia (which I indicated it may have been).
The research was to compare largest to smallest. I did not say it was a FAILED experiment. On the contrary, it was a successful experiment PROVING EXTREME SMALL and extreme big were not most efficient. AVERAGE size cattle were most EFFICIENT.
And the workers WERE instructed to ship all of them.
I did not say YOU could not love your Lowlines.
And I have worked with some really bad mannered Lowlines and some really good ones being shown.

 

[Double R Ranch]

T

As an owner of well mannered Lowlines here in Canada, I can tell you this information is incorrect. It was Australia and not a failed experiment at all. The average size Angus you refer to are NOT the oversized Angus now prevalent in North America. The Lowline is a phenomenal breed when treated well and we cross breed often with great results. Lowline/Galloway, Lowline/Jersey. A bad breeder is a bad breeder, period. All breeds have their fans but this Lowline fan can tell you, don't knock them until you work with a good breeder.

Lowline/jersey? What's the use and value? I put some lowline in jerseys this season.

 

[Double R Ranch]

And I have worked with some really bad mannered Lowlines and some really good ones being shown.

While I only have a group from one specific well known larger breeder I can say these are not more efficient than our standard Angus. Actually they are noticeably worse. The breeder was feeding a lot of alfalfa and most of their conditions were ok. Now that they are on pasture and expected to maintain like our standard Angus they aren't thriving. I am comparing them to other cattle on the same pastures. The claim to fame is they are supper efficient on pasture. Not having that experience personally. Temperament isn't great at all either. Even the calves out of the bred heifers are high headed fence jumpers instead of just moving with the herd. The cows that calmed down a bit are better until it's time to move them. Then it's off on their own high headed and looking for a place to go that is far away. I've talked to multiple other breeders who have had the same experience from multiple breeders stock. Maybe in Canada they are paying more attention to genetics and faults than they seem to be here in the US. Don't know. I do know my experience and those of breeders I've spoke with. Most have gone onto other breeds because of the same issues I've had myself. I do not think I will be renewing our membership or expanding our herd anymore with Aberdeens. The juice just isn't worth the squeeze as they say. What Aberdeens I've seen that seem to fit more into the claims by the association were priced so high it's not profitable unless I am going to target backyarders who want "miniatures" for pets. What I was looking for was faster finishing on pasture and 1/2 the size for those customers who can't handle a standard size beef for the freezer. It's been a disappointing experience for sure. An expensive one to boot.

 

[StrojanHerefords]

T

As an owner of well mannered Lowlines here in Canada, I can tell you this information is incorrect. It was Australia and not a failed experiment at all. The average size Angus you refer to are NOT the oversized Angus now prevalent in North America. The Lowline is a phenomenal breed when treated well and we cross breed often with great results. Lowline/Galloway, Lowline/Jersey. A bad breeder is a bad breeder, period. All breeds have their fans but this Lowline fan can tell you, don't knock them until you work with a good breeder.

I don't see how a lowline can be efficient and problem free. Every year my smallest calves are small because they are sickly. Putting aside that there are a lot of bulls in Canada with 105 pound birth weights; can a lowline cow handle a normal bull or will he break her back?

 

[Lonesome Pine]

Lowline/jersey? What's the use and value? I put some lowline in jerseys this season.

Bought the Lowline Jersey cow on the claim of Jeylow being a best of both worlds. Jersey tender with Lowline docile. We have not processed any of her offspring as she throws mostly well mannered heifers. So, beef product undetermined.

 

[Lonesome Pine]

I don't see how a lowline can be efficient and problem free. Every year my smallest calves are small because they are sickly. Putting aside that there are a lot of bulls in Canada with 105 pound birth weights; can a lowline cow handle a normal bull or will he break her back?

Just had a beautiful little bull born in winter here in Canada. Didn't weigh him but he is a stocky man I would estimate around 50 pounds. Easy birth, cow cooperated with field vaccines and he is thriving. They are not really miniature rather medium on shorter legs, which is only really noticeable as they grow...the calves look very Angus with broader heads.
To answer your question, I would check the birth weight on that Angus bull if you can. For example, we have purchased straws for AI from a lower birth weight Wagyu and our vet was confident there would be no problem.

 

[Travlr]

Just had a beautiful little bull born in winter here in Canada. Didn't weigh him but he is a stocky man I would estimate around 50 pounds. Easy birth, cow cooperated with field vaccines and he is thriving. They are not really miniature rather medium on shorter legs, which is only really noticeable as they grow...the calves look very Angus with broader heads.
To answer your question, I would check the birth weight on that Angus bull if you can. For example, we have purchased straws for AI from a lower birth weight Wagyu and our vet was confident there would be no problem.

You should put a location on your profile. It's easy. Click on your profile, top right, and go to Account details... and scroll down to location.

 

[puzzled in oregon]

I don't see how a lowline can be efficient and problem free. Every year my smallest calves are small because they are sickly. Putting aside that there are a lot of bulls in Canada with 105 pound birth weights; can a lowline cow handle a normal bull or will he break her back?

I have used "American" angus with both Dexter and Aberdeen angus. I use yearling bulls, and avoid any that are apt to throw the larger birth weight calves. It would be foolish to put a mature American angus bull with the smaller cows and risk injury.. The half Dexter cow that I have will usually produce a Dexter sized calf, exception she had a little bit bigger calf from the Murray Grey, still a smaller sized calf in relation to most beef breeds. The same seemed to hold true with the Aberdeen also.
Just because the average Shetland Pony is smaller then the average Quarter Horse doesn't mean that pony is sickly, they are two very separate types of equines.

 

[StrojanHerefords]

The Shetland Pony and the Lowline were developed under very different regimes. The Shetland was adapted to the tough conditions of the North Sea; while the Lowline was the product of breeding the smallest cattle together. Apples and Oranges.
A cow needs to be able to handle calving from a normal bull. Sometimes fences aren't enough.

 

[puzzled in oregon]

The Shetland Pony and the Lowline were developed under very different regimes. The Shetland was adapted to the tough conditions of the North Sea; while the Lowline was the product of breeding the smallest cattle together. Apples and Oranges.
A cow needs to be able to handle calving from a normal bull. Sometimes fences aren't enough.

Define "normal".

 

[gcreekrch]

I wish the mini cow crowd would go the way of the fallow deer, ostridge and hedgehog breeders.

 

[wbvs58]

I wish the mini cow crowd would go the way of the fallow deer, ostridge and hedgehog breeders.

What about emu breeders?

Ken

 

[Double R Ranch]

Bought the Lowline Jersey cow on the claim of Jeylow being a best of both worlds. Jersey tender with Lowline docile. We have not processed any of her offspring as she throws mostly well mannered heifers. So, beef product undetermined.

Thanks. I'm hoping the jersey side on our breeding will increase docility on the calf. So far I'm only seeing standard Angus behavior out of the Aberdeens so I guess we'll see. We don't have calves out of this sire yet on the ground so I guess we'll see how the calf is. I do have full Aberdeens due before the jersey to this sire so it will be interesting to see how they behave. I have no plans on keeping the calf though no matter the sex. Fairly confident at this point we will not be expanding the Aberdeen side of our herd.