Why Lowlines?

This question is asked by many who are first introduced to the breed. They are cute, smaller than normal cattle, docile and friendly and finish really well on grass. The breed is smaller than full sized Angus, about 30% smaller as a matter of fact. They are thus ideally suited for the small producer with limited acreage and a few cattle. Synergistically, they are also more docile as a breed than their larger counterparts. This makes them ideal for the small producer with limited facilities as extensive handling facilities are not required for normal, routine care. Also, it has been shown that docile cattle tend to put on weight faster and better than more nervous, high strung animals. Finally, they finish very well on grass. This means that marbling, a key parameter which determines the grade of the beef can be achieved with no change in the feeding program. Most commercial cattle are finished on grain to provide them with the required marbling to achieve a grading of “prime” or “choice” by the USDA. This additional expense need not be incurred with Lowlines.

Lowline History

From 1929 to 1963 the Trangie Stud’s Angus herd was prominent in the Australian showing circuit and won many major awards. The research herd was closed to outside genetics in 1964 after the purchase of herd sires from leading Australian Studs, Wambanumba, Glengowan, Tulagi and Wallah.

In 1963 the emphasis at Trangie was changed to scientific research in the form of performance recording. The project, involving weight gain, structural measurements, objective visual assessment and selective breeding, continued through to 1973 and pioneered performance testing in Australia today. The trial which produced the Lowline breed began in 1974, with funding from the Australian Meat Research Corporation, to evaluate selection for growth rate on herd profitability. The aim was to establish whether large or small animals were more efficient converters of grass into meat. This project continued for 19 years. The Trangie herd was divided into three groups based on yearling growth rates. The high yearling growth rate cattle were named High lines, the low yearling growth rate cattle were named the Low line and a randomly selected group was named the Control line. A program of detailed evaluation was implemented, which included weight gain, feed intake, reproductive performance, milk production, carcass yield and structural correctness. The protein conversion performances of the High line and the Low line cattle were monitored and recorded on an individual basis. The lines continued to grow apart with the selection process and recorded on an individual basis.The Trangie Research Centre concluded that the High Line animals were about five percent more efficient converters of grass to meat than the Low Line. Nevertheless, the computer printouts which showed the best performers were High Lines and the least effective performers were Low Lines, also showed that for the great bulk of High Lines and Low Lines their efficiency as protein converters were much the same.

Towards the end of the trial a group of interested cattlemen persuaded the Department of Agriculture to sell the Low line of cattle on the open market. On the 8th of August 1992, 9 bulls, 23 heifers and 7 cows were sold to 7 purchasers. They then formed the Australian Lowline Cattle Association. The complete dispersal sale followed on October 30, 1993 where 20 bulls were sold, together with 44 cows and 51 heifers.

In summary, these small, docile, acknowledged and accredited, early maturing cattle will appeal to both the commercial cattle industry and the small acre farmer.

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