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Australian Lowline Cattle were developed from the Angus herd, which was
established at the Trangie Research Centre in 1929 to provide quality breeding
stock.
The trials, which produced the Lowline breed, began in 1974. The Trangie staff
chose one herd selected for high yearling growth rates and another selected for
low yearling growth rates, with a randomly selected control group. They dubbed
the herds High Line, Low Line and Control Line.
The program involved a detailed evaluation of weight gain, feed intake,
reproductive performance, milk production, carcass yield, and quality and
structural soundness.
From 1974, the Low Line herd remained closed, with all the replacement bulls and
heifers selected from within the line. This trial continued for 19 years.
After 15 years of selective breeding, the Low Line herd had stabilized at about
30 percent smaller than the High Line cattle. The bulls were maturing at about
43 inches, and the cows at about 39 inches or less; against 57 inches for
standard Angus bulls, and close to the same height for standard Angus cows.
In 1993 the herd was sold. You can now find Lowlines not only in Australia, but
here in the United States.
They are smooth, free from waste, and produce high quality meat. They are free
from the eye cancer which plagues the Hereford, and they have proved adaptable
to various climates. Being descended from stock that has been handled in
Australia for 60 years, they are also exceptionally docile.
The Australian Lowlines are of champion stock. No large equipment and heavy
fencing is needed to manage them. They offer farmers with limited acreage the
option of keeping docile cattle of high quality. They also make great pets. |