History of Angus Cattle
The Angus cattle, also known as Aberdeen Angus, have a rich history dating back to at least the sixteenth century in north-eastern Scotland.
History of Angus Cattle
The Angus cattle, also known as Aberdeen Angus, have a rich history dating back to at least the sixteenth century in north-eastern Scotland. Initially referred to as "Angus Doddies" for the hornless cattle in the region, and "Buchan Humlies" in the historic province of Buchan, both terms denoting polled characteristics.
In 1824, William McCombie of Tillyfour, later a Member of Parliament for West Aberdeenshire, played a pivotal role in refining the breed and is recognized as its father. The official recognition of the breed came in 1835, with registration alongside the Galloway in the Polled Herd Book. A dedicated society was formed in 1879, leading to the widespread presence of Angus cattle throughout the British Isles by the mid-twentieth century.
The Angus breed made its way to various parts of the world, leaving a mark in agricultural history:
Argentina: The breed reached Argentina in 1879 when "Don Carlos Guerrero" imported one bull and two cows for his Estancia "Charles" in Buenos Aires. These cattle became foundational to the Argentine Angus breed.
Australia: Angus cattle made their way to Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) in the 1820s and the southern mainland in 1840. Today, the breed is found across all Australian states and territories, with 62,000 calves registered with Angus Australia in 2010.
Canada: In 1876, William Brown, a professor of agriculture in Ontario, imported Aberdeen Angus cattle, marking the first birth outside of Scotland in 1877. The Ontario Agricultural College began importing and selling Aberdeen Angus cattle in 1881.
United States: In 1873, George Grant brought four Angus bulls to Victoria, Kansas, introducing the breed to the U.S. The American Angus Association was founded in 1883 in Chicago, emphasizing the breed's qualities. The Association barred the registration of red and other colored animals in 1917, focusing on promoting a solid black breed. The Red Angus Association of America was later founded in 1954.
Germany: A separate breed called the German Angus was developed in Germany, resulting from crossbreeding with various cattle, such as the German Black Pied Cattle, Gelbvieh, and Fleckvieh. These cattle, larger than the traditional Angus, exhibit black and red colors.
The Angus breed has not only shaped the agricultural landscape in its native Scotland but has also left an enduring impact on cattle farming around the globe.