The First Angus in America:
When George Grant transported four Angus bulls from Scotland to the middle of the Kansas Prairie in 1873, they were part of the Scotsman's dream to found a colony of wealthy, stock-raising Britishers. Grant died five years later, and many of the settlers at his Victoria, Kansas, colony later returned to their homeland. However, these four Angus bulls, probably from the herd of George Brown of Westertown, Fochabers, Scotland, made a lasting impression on the U.S. cattle industry.
When two of the George Grant bulls were exhibited in the fall of 1873 at the Kansas City (Missouri) Livestock Exposition, some considered them "freaks" because of their polled (naturally hornless) heads and solid black color (Shorthorns were then the dominant breed.) Grant, a forward thinker, crossed the bulls with native Texas longhorn cows, producing a large number of hornless black calves that survived well on the winter range. The Angus crosses wintered better and weighed more the next spring, the first demonstration of the breed's value in their new homeland.
Early Importers and Breeders:
The first great herds of Angus beef cattle in America were built up by purchasing stock directly from Scotland. Twelve hundred cattle alone were imported, mostly to the Midwest, in a period of explosive growth between 1878 and 1883. Over the next quarter of a century these early owners, in turn, helped start other herds by breeding, showing, and selling their registered stock.
Often called Black Angus or Aberdeen Angus cattle, they have low, compact bodies and are noted for the fine quality of their flesh. As a breed, they lack the size of Shorthorn and Hereford cattle. Black Angus are now the most popular beef breed of cattle in the United States.
Angus cattle are hardy, undemanding, and adaptable; they mature at around two years of age, and have a high carcass yield with marbled meat. They are good natured in comparison to several breeds, but are more aggressive than some breeds such as the Hereford. Angus are used as beef cattle and are not used for milk intended for human consumption. They are used widely in crossbreeding to improve marbling and milking ability. Angus females calve easily and have good calf rearing ability.
We are slowly developing our farm. We do not as yet have any
cattle. We are still researching the animals, although it looks like
the Angus cattle will be our choice. John has installed an
automatic waterer and we are working on building a holding
pen with shute. As soon as the pen is done, we will be
purchasing cattle. Our plan is to purchase two heifers to be
raised for breeding and one steer to be raised for the freezer.
We raise our livestock and produce without steroid, hormones,
or pesticides. We believe that farming should be done naturally. The earth's most delicious, most healthful foods are made when farmers work in harmony with nature. We strive to improve soil health and crop vitality by natural means. We never use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides. Our livestock feed on unsprayed pasture. We do not use any hormones or antibiotics. In addition to grazing, our livestock is fed quality hay and a small amount of locally-milled grain daily.
