The Aberdeen-Angus was introduced into America in the 1880’s and soon attained high popularity. The first two American herd books were published in 1886 and 1888 respectively. From the 1880’s to the early 1960’s, these Angus where moderately sized, short, compact and efficient producers of high quality beef. Growing up in the 1950’s, I remember these easy to keep, short square bodied Angus cattle with their fat calves. For me the Lowline Angus is reminiscent of that breed, that populated the farms and ranches of my childhood. The smaller stature of the Lowlines along with their usually docile nature and high quality meat production is what makes the Lowlines so very appealing. Although not large by today’s ‘bigger is better’ mentality, Lowline bulls often reach weights of 1100 to 1300 lbs (plus) with hip heights ranging from 43” to over 50”. The cows often reach weights of 750 to 950 lbs (plus) with hip heights ranging 39” to 47”. With their optimum size, balanced with their lower nutritional requirements, the Lowlines produce considerably more pounds of beef per acre at a lower operating cost, when compared to larger cattle. We at Faith Valley select Lowline sires that have reached or can reach 1200 lbs (plus), yet rejecting those that go beyond 1400 lbs and over 50” hip height. We believe the optimum weight and size range must be carefully guarded not to get too small or too large. We prefer the thicker, heavier set phenotypes, with an emphasis on weight gain and meat quality. Lowlines are gaining a reputation for their ability to efficiently produce extraordinary ‘high choice’ beef.
 

Click on above photo for more Angus nostalgia. 

Additional historical facts of the Lowline and Aberdeen Angus cattle can be read at:
http://www.usa-lowline.org/lowline_history.htm