Lowline Cattle
Lowline cattle are true miniature cattle bred by animal scientists in Australia. A mature lowline bull stands 38 to 48 inches at the shoulder and weighs from 800 to 1,100 pounds. These animals do not carry the Achondroplasia (dwarfism) gene. A mature lowline cow stands 35 to 41 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 500 and 700 pounds.
Nearly 70 years of genetic selection for high quality and small size make them breed true. There are no genetic defects and no throw backs. Calf losses are extremely few and heifers show ease of calving. The newborn calves are very vigorous and healthy.
Lowlines are exceptional beef cattle that thrive on limited feed intake thus lowering production costs while producing half-size cuts of lean, flavorful high quality beef. Lowline cows will winter on roughly 1/3 the feed of many of the crossbred cows that are popular today, while they wean at 250 to 350 pound calf. Lowline market steers marble well above other breeds at 15 months old and reach market weight of 750 pounds for roughly 1/3 the feed cost. Lowlines have a 30% larger rib eye area and 45% less backfat than traditional Angus.
Birth weight: 40 lb. average
Weaning Wt.: 300 lb. average
Mature Cow: 500-700 lb., 35” -41”at the shoulder
Mature Bull: 800-1100 lb., 38” – 48” at the shoulder
Market Wt. Steer: 650 – 750 lb. at 15 months
See www.usa-lowline.org for more information regarding the history of Lowline cattle.
Why Raise Lowlines?
- Two lowline cows can graze and gain weight on the same amount of forage that is required to support one full sized cow.
- These cattle combine the legendary meat quality of Angus with 70 years of selection producing a unique size Angus suited for smaller ranches and farms.
- Earlier maturation and high reproductive efficiency enable faster establishment of your breeding herd from your very first purchase.
- Lowlines fit today's lifestyle of the "Hobby Farmer or Hobby Rancher.” They are very adaptable to a wide range of climate and weather conditions.
- Lowlines make an ideal 4-H project and can be shown easily by Junior Handlers.
- Lowlines are extremely docile and friendly. This trait along with their size makes these cattle so much easier to handle. No heavy fencing or large equipment is needed to manage them.
- Lowlines make wonderful pets and enhance the rural lifestyle on small acreage properties.
- Lowlines are classified as farm animals and your investment in Lowlines could qualify for a tax credit.
- ½ blood and ¾ blood Lowline cattle are eligible for registry in the American Lowline Registry. 7/8 blood cattle are eligible for registry as purebred (not fullblood) Lowlines.
- Registered Fullblood Lowline cattle must be DNA parentage verified to the original Australian Lowline Society herdbook.
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Percentage-blood Lowlines and Hereford-Lowlines |
Percentage-blood Lowlines |
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Duke, a Fullblood Lowline Bull |
Vicki, a Fullblood Lowline heifer calf likes to get her neck scratched |
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Oreo, a half-blood cow with her Hereford-Lowline heifer calf |
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Oliver, a ¾ blood Lowline bull likes to be brushed |
Diego, a Fullblood Lowline bull |
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A ¾ blood Lowline steer calf |
I think they went that way |
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Pepper, a Hereford-Lowline steer |
2 - ¾ blood Lowline bulls and a ¾ blood Lowline heifer |
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Dori, a Purebred Lowline heifer calf |
Percentage blood Lowlines at the trough |
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Foreground – a ¾ blood Lowline steer calf |
A Hereford-Lowline steer calf |
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Right –Teddy, a Purebred Lowline bull |