6 Factors About the History of Angus Cattle

Angus is a Scottish beef cattle breed. It is widely used in the production of meat. The Angus breed of cattle is one of the top beef breeds in the world, and it is now enjoying quite a bit of success there due to its widespread popularity.

These cattle are also known as Aberdeen Angus, and their breed’s roots can be traced back to Scotland, in the counties of Aberdeenshire and Angus. Since the two nations’ strains were repeatedly bred and rebred to create a new breed, the Aberdeen-Angus name has stuck.

Although its history is unknown, the breed seems to be directly connected to the Galloway, which is generally known to be the earliest breed in England.

William McCombie and Hugh Watson were the most prominent constructive breeders of the 19th century. They were responsible for the majority of the improvements made to the Angus breed and the standardization of the current kind of Angus cattle.

1. The Angus Cattle has a Distant Origin

The northern parts of England are the birthplace of the Angus breed. Initially, high-quality attributes were sought in all cattle, red and black, in an effort to breed the best traits possible. Later in the 18th century, cattle from the northeastern Scottish counties of Aberdeen-Angus were often used to strengthen other area herds.

In 1873, Scotland brought the first Angus cattle to the US. George Grant, a rancher in Kansas, aimed to make Angus cattle the main breed of cattle and introduce them to the state as an alternative to the other beef options available there.

When Angus cattle were first shown to the public at the Missouri Exposition in 1873, they were not well received. Feedlot cattle breeders at the time did not recognize polled for its advantages, and the black hue was too odd from the usual red color of the popular cattle breeds.

On the other hand, Angus ranchers were undeterred and still promoted the breed while crossbreeding it with the tough Texas Longhorn. The polled, tough black calves were a popular cross among critics of the species in the past. Consequently, from 1878 – 1883, 1200 Angus cattle were imported from Scotland.

2. Angus Cattle Have Unique Physical Characteristics

Angus cattle are dark and have polled heads, compact bodies, exquisite meat, and high dressing percentages. The Angus breed is known for its naturally polled cattle and its dark red or black coat. This breed’s natural color is black.

However, red hues have recently emerged. Black and Red Angus cattle are considered different breeds in the US. But in the UK, the two breeds share a herd book. The Angus cattle breed is now accessible and bred in many places worldwide.

Angus cattle are smaller than most cattle breeds. The average weight for Angus cattle is between 1000 and 1300 pounds. These bulls weigh up to 850 kg and have a high muscular composition, while cows generally weigh 550 kg. Their stature is average. Angus breeds are well-behaved and calm. Angus cattle, both cows and bulls, are generally low-maintenance animals.

3. Only Two Types of Angus Cattle Exist

Below are the two breeds of Angus cattle:

Black Angus

Black Angus beef cattle are huge, polled, pure black, and compact. Ranchers love Black Angus cattle because they are easy to care for and produce a lot of meat. It is also possible to make several by-products from the bones, hide, hooves, and fat found in these animals.

Some examples of these by-products are crayons, gelatin, shampoo, baseball gloves, and cosmetics.

The Black Angus breed of cattle came from Scotland in the middle of the 1800s. 97% of the beef breed’s bodies can be turned into beef or other products.

Red Angus

Both the Aberdeen Angus and the Red Angus breeds can trace their ancestry back to the same place. Like the Aberdeen Angus, Red Angus cows are medium-sized and have a meaty carcass.

Female Red Angus cattle are very fertile and are known for their longevity. They are also known for their high milk production and maternal instincts. Breeders consider Red Angus friendly and easy to deal with. This breed’s meat is of outstanding quality due to intramuscular marbling.

4. Angus Breed Temperament Varies

The breed’s temperament varies. Angus cattle are good-natured and calm, although not as much as Herefords. The Angus is a popular cattle breed. Unfortunately, popularity tends to attract breeders who are not careful and occasionally dishonest. As a result, some of the cattle’s lineages have produced animals with unpredictable temperaments.

In certain parts of the world, Angus cattle (bulls, steers, and cows) have even gained an aggressive reputation. Generally speaking, ranchers and farmers should have no issues with low cross Angus cattle temperament.

5. Genetically Designed for Optimal Health

Angus cattle are healthy and unlikely to suffer pink eyes, cancer, or sunburn as they have pigmented skin. However, while this is usually (but not always) the case, the breed does exhibit genetic problems like dwarfism, excessive bone growth, dwarfism, and neuropathic hydrocephalus, a fluid-filled brain cavity.

6. Angus cattle Have their Advantages and Disadvantages

Here are some pros and cons you should know about Angus cattle:

Advantages

• Mothering ability
• High-quality carcass
• Fertility
• Milking ability
• Moderate size

Disadvantages

• Individuals who prefer leaner cuts of meat will not enjoy this beef since it contains excessive marbling.
• The taste of the meat is a little on the bland side.
• Because of the breed’s rising popularity, they are being bred more, and there is a greater likelihood that these animals will belong to a very low-quality cattle breed. Nevertheless, this varies from one rancher to the next.
• Due to the popularity of this breed, there are so many differences in terms of fertility, maturity, and conformation.