Aberdeen-Angus breed: origin, merits and demerits

Among livestock there are some kind of champions and legends that surpass other animals in terms of the quality of their products. These include the Aberdeen-Angus breed of cows, in many respects standing higher than others. Despite the fact that it was bred for a long time, it is widely used throughout the world and now.

History of origin

The Aberdeen-Angus breed was bred by Scottish cattle breeders in the 19th century. The purpose of breeding was to increase the livestock in size (local breeds were characterized by short stature and low weight) and increased early ripeness, because at that time demand for quality meat sharply increased. The works began at the beginning of the century, at the age of 15, but the breed signs were consolidated only after more than half a century of persistent and consistent crossbreeding: the breed was internationally recognized in 1873. The result of the efforts was so successful that the Aberdeen-Angus breed took part in breeding many others, among Which barzon, Brangus, vocal and Afranguis. In the modern world, aberdines are still used to improve the quality of livestock.

Advantages of the breed

Their list is quite long. And the superiority of these cows is manifested in very different directions:

1. Quick adaptation to new habitat conditions. Aberdeen-Angus breed easily acclimatizes to both moderate and cold climates. A few longer cows are developed in hot areas, but after adaptation, neither the growth rate nor weight gain is reduced.
2. Free grazing. In the presence of sufficient land, the Aberdeen-Angus breed does not need additional feed, and the increase does not decrease.
3. Easy calving. Due to the fact that the cows are small-bodied (calves are born from 16 to 20 kg in weight), they give birth quickly and without complications.
4. High fleshiness. The cumulative weight of bones does not exceed 18%, and in many cases does not reach this index.
5. Stable transfer of pedigree signs. Both the cow and the bull of the Aberdeen-Angus breed, when crossing with producers of other breeds in the offspring, leave properties for which early maturity and meat quality are valued.
6. Rapid maturation. With such a negligible weight at birth, Aberdeen-Angus bulls reach downhole parameters by two years.
7. Fertility. Its index reaches 95%, and reproductive efficiency is maintained almost throughout life.
8. Longevity. On average, the livestock of this breed lives for 25-30 years, but there are also cases of longer life expectancy.

But the main advantage of Aberdeen remains the quality of their meat.

The mines of the breed

There are very few of them, and they mostly concern the exterior. Among such claims is the so-called saber's leg. However, if in horse breeding such a vice is very important, then in the case of cattle , which does not take part in the horse races, it does not matter much. Often point also to the carpiformity of the back, that is, the worm at the withers and the raised croup. Again, the objection is that it is a disadvantage for the horse, not for the cow.

If you are bred Aberdeen-Angus breed, it is more likely to pay attention to the temperament of animals. So, cows have a very developed maternal instinct. Protecting calves, they can rush even to zootechnicians caring for a barn. In addition, with a long free grazing without the presence of a person, cattle can be somewhat wild.

Quality of meat

In comparison with other beef cattle, the Aberdeen-Angus breed has more tender meat, similar in color to marble. This is due to the fact that animals have a very thin subcutaneous layer of fat, but between the meat fibers it accumulates in large quantities.

The taste of the beef of this breed varies greatly depending on the conditions of the contents and the approach to slaughter. First, it becomes more refined in animals that led a natural way of life, and were not constantly in the stall. Secondly, the issue of castration. In the European tradition, the bulls of the Aberdeen-Angus breed are slaughtered; England and America prefer to banish them at an early age. Indeed, oxen have much finer fibers of meat, because of what it becomes more juicy. However, they grow much more slowly and to the lethal age of weight gain less. On the other hand, their free grazing is facilitated: they can safely be in a herd with cows.