Lowline cattle are the result of a 30-year project by Australia's Trangie Research Center that selected purebred Angus cattle for efficiency and profitability. Their goal to produce more beef per acre was very successful. Lowlines were first imported into North America in the late 1990's.

Australian Lowline cattle are selectively bred to keep the gene pool absolutely pure (DNA testing) and there is now a large enough population of these cattle to ensure that inbreeding does not take place. Australian Lowline heifers do not begin to cycle until 14 to 18 months of age. Because of the small size of Australian Lowline calves, many farmers keep them in a sheep race and do not move them into a calf cradle until they are at least five months of age.

Lowlines eat 1/3 the amount of traditional full sized cattle. Because they are bred for long, deep, wide backs, and shorter muscles, even a small place can produce a substantial amount of tender, quality cuts. By marketing freezer friendly sizes of healthier meat direct to the consumer, at a premium, and avoiding all the middlemen, small acreages can rival the profits of larger ranches.

An independent study showed Lowline cattle with 40% increase in retail product yield per acre on grass. This higher than normal retail yield has been documented repeatedly by ultrasound measurements in the US and Australia that consistently show 30% larger rib eye area per hundred weight. This translates into a boneless retail product yield of 20 to 30% more retail product per hundred weight of carcass per testing conducted in the US.

• Lowlines finish early, on average at between 13-17 months of age
• Economical to raise, finish on grass with good marbling
• More animals per acre, which increases production
• Great FFA or 4H projects. Small enough that children can handle easily
• Very good mothers
• Excellent when crossed with other breeds
• Low birth weight, great for first time heifers
  

  The average halfblood born in US weighs 59 lb

  The average 3/4 blood born in US weighs 52 lb

  The average fullblood born in US weighs 42 lb

The awareness of the demand for miniature Angus cattle is increasing. There are several ways to start to participate in this venture. Buying full blood/pureblood females of high quality and breeding age, while the most direct, is also the most costly. Surrogates, carrying full blood embryo transfers or embryos to place in your own cattle, offer a less expensive and excellent means with some risk. Live calves of both sexes should also be considered. Young heifers will grow valuable as they reach reproductive age. You will need the services of a good vet to flush embryos and maximize their potential or a number of heifers to give any kind of calf crop. A full blood bull should also be considered if breeding cows are available. You can natural breed. The expense and technology needed are a fraction of some of the other methods and you have an instant product to sell, plus all the other benefits.