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Aberdeen Angus

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The Aberdeen Angus is a special breed of beef cattle.

Aberdeen Angus cattle, West Tullyfergus - geograph.org.uk - 1540214
Aberdeen Angus cattle, West Tullyfergus - geograph.org.uk - 1540214

These animals come from north-eastern Scotland. They live in places like Aberdeen, Banff, Kincardine, and Angus. People value them because they are very hardy. They can survive harsh Scottish winters with heavy snow and storms. Most of these cattle are solid black or red in color. They are also naturally polled, which means they do not have horns. This makes them much easier for farmers to handle.

Angus bull 1856
Angus bull 1856

Raising these cattle works in many helpful ways. They have a lot of muscle and are medium-sized. Many farmers use them to make better beef. The meat is often called superior because of its marbling. Marbling is when fat is spread through the meat. In Japan, people prize this meat very much. Bulls are also used to help other breeds. They can pass on the polled gene to their offspring. This helps cows have babies more easily during birth.

Judging Aberdeen Argus bulls, Royal Sydney Easter Show, 8657343610 (detail)
Judging Aberdeen Argus bulls, Royal Sydney Easter Show, 8657343610 (detail)

History shows how these cattle became famous. Long ago, people called them "Angus Doddies" or "Buchan Humlies." Both names meant they were polled. In 1824, a man named William McCombie began to improve them. He is known today as the father of the breed. The breed was officially recognized in 1835. Later, a breed society was formed in 1879. By the mid-twentieth century, they were very common in the British Isles.

These cattle have traveled to many different lands. In 1873, George Grant brought four bulls to Kansas. In 1876, William Brown bought cattle for a college in Ontario, Canada. The first calf born outside of Scotland was born there in 1877. In Argentina, Don Carlos Guerrero brought one bull and two cows in 1879. That bull was named "Virtuoso 1626." In the United States, the American Angus Association was founded in Chicago in 1883.

Aberdeen Angus cattle, West Tullyfergus - geograph.org.uk - 1540214
Aberdeen Angus cattle, West Tullyfergus - geograph.org.uk - 1540214

Today, the Angus is linked to many other breeds. In the United States, they grew into the American Angus and the Red Angus. Many new breeds are made by cross-breeding them with others. For example, the Brangus is a mix of Angus and Brahman. The Murray Grey and Wokalup come from Australia. Even the Australian Lowline came from research using only Angus stock. In the United Kingdom, the original native cattle are now considered at risk. However, the breed is not at risk worldwide.

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🖼️ Images & Media (3)
File:Angus bull 1856.jpg
Angus bull 1856.jpg
File:Judging Aberdeen Argus bulls, Royal Sydney Easter Show, 8657343610 (detail).jpg
Judging Aberdeen Argus bulls, Royal...
File:Aberdeen Angus cattle, West Tullyfergus - geograph.org.uk - 1540214.jpg
Aberdeen Angus cattle, West Tullyfergus -...
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