Lazy S Farm - Our Cattle Page

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.

During the last few years there has been a significant increase in Black Baldies owing to cattle breeders switching from the traditional Hereford herds to the currently popular Aberdeen Angus breed.

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.

Black Baldy is a term used for a type of beef cattle produced by crossing Hereford cattle with a solid black breed, usually Aberdeen Angus, often for the purpose of creating hybrid vigor. Angus bulls are also used on Hereford heifers in an attempt to produce smaller calves to reduce dystocia. Additionally, Black Baldy cows are noted for their good mothering abilities. The Black Baldy has a white face like the Hereford, but the red body color of the Hereford is replaced by black from the Angus (white face and black coat color are both genetically dominant in cattle).

Our four calves are growing like weeds. We will be breeding BeBe (our black baldy heifer) and Nana (our pure Angus heifer) in July. Steers 1 and 2 will be heading to the slaughter house in the fall. Our cattle love the automatic waterer John installed. We are still working out the plans to build a holding pen with shute. We still need a feeder for the round hay bales and a feeder for grain in the winter. The cattle are currently using half of the tobacco barn for shelter. We have been discussing an option to tear down their half of the barn and creating a more open shelter but, those plans will have to wait for awhile.

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.