Lowline Angus cattle have experienced phenomenal growth since 1996 when the first Lowline was imported to the United States from Australia…and with good reason. Known for their large rib eye area and ability to produce more product per pound along with a high rate of efficiency as grass converters, they certainly pack a lot of benefits in a smaller package.

Lowline cattle closely resemble their ancestors, the Aberdeen Angus and are about 30% smaller than the full sized Angus that you see today. Selectively bred from pure Angus stock, Lowlines are not a dwarf breed. Instead they were intentionally bred down in size as part of a nineteen year study conducted by the Trangie Research Center in Australia.

The animals selected for the study were originally derived from the best Angus stock imported to the research center beginning in 1929 for the purpose of developing a high quality commercial export market. By the early 1960’s, the Trangie Research Center had accomplished their goal with herds firmly established throughout Australia and nearby regions, a strong Japanese export market and champion placings at large livestock shows.

The additional research that ultimately produced the Lowline breed began in 1974 and was conducted for 19 years within a closed herd selected from Trangie’s large herd of Champion Angus cattle. The purpose of the study was to determine whether larger or smaller cattle were more efficient converters of grass to beef. The closed herd was split into 3 groups, one called Lowline.

The study concluded that the overall efficiency of the cattle as grass converters was essentially the same between larger and smaller animals…interesting data when one considers the fact that Lowlines are shorter, eat less and require less acreage.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, as with the rest of the country, demand for Lowline cattle exceeds the supply. The breed is appealing both to ranchers and those on smaller acreage “ranchettes.” As farm land is dwindling, higher stocking rates and more product per pound are vital goals for the producer. And at the other end of the spectrum, health conscious consumers have created a market for more efficient cattle genetically designed for the natural and grass raised beef market.

Lowlines are also an excellent choice for the family enterprise. Because of their size and docile temperament, the whole family can participate in the care and handling of the cattle from birth to maturity.

As the numbers of Lowline cattle breeder memberships increase nationally, many area breeders expressed interest in joining together to help promote Lowlines on a local level. In January 2007, the Northwest Lowline Association (NWLA) was formed. Officers as well as committee chair people were voted on and are currently working hard to set the foundation for a successful organization. NWLA hopes to meet the needs of area breeders through educational events, a website, shows, sales, cooperative marketing and networking.

NWLA welcomes Lowline breeders residing in Washington, Oregon and Idaho with the requirement that members must have Lowlines registered with the national organization, the American Lowline Registry. NWLA also offers Junior memberships for youth under 21 years of age. Associate memberships are available for Lowline breeders residing outside of the three states as well as for people who do not have registered Lowline cattle.

Come see us at the Northwest Lowline Classic October 3-7, 2007 at the Central Washington State Fair in Yakima, Washington. You can view animals, talk to breeders and even see wonderful examples of the breed at the Lowline show which is tentatively scheduled for October 5th.