Commercial advantages of Lowlines
Market perception and value:
- smaller cuts which are well-marbled
- offers a high proportion of meat to bone and fat
- more omega-3 fatty acids, more conjugated linoleic acid (a potent cancer-fighter), less total fat and calories, less omega-6 (linked to several disorders and diseases), and less risk of bacterial contamination due to the higher pH of the cow’s digestive tract if grass-fed
Efficiency:
- consume about 1/3 the amount of feed as a full-sized animal, gaining weight and finishing earlier with very little cost
- do not need grain to reach full maturity and where you would normally stock 6 Angus cows you can run 10 Lowlines
- can expect more pounds of meat per acre than with standard size breeds
Crossbreeding Benefits:
- typically low birth weights for calves allowing typically unassisted calving
- bulls are very fertile and have proven ability to reach heifers along with low weight reducing risk of injury to heifers
- bulls do not require the same amount of feeding as larger bulls making them inexpensive to maintain
- bulls are easy to handle whether separated or among the herd
Information obtained from the American Southwest Lowline Angus Breeders Association and www.usa-lowline.org/history.html.