ABERDEEN-ANGUS

Aberdeen-Angus cattle are certainly Scotland’s most famous native breed and they are a highly popular breed for beef production across the world. The breed originates from the Scottish counties of Aberdeenshire and Angus, hence the breed’s name, and they most commonly have a black coat although this can sometimes be red. Originating in Scotland, Aberdeen-Angus cattle are seen as a hardy breed, due to their native environment, and they generally mature earlier in comparison to the UK’s other native breeds. The beef is renowned for it’s excellent eating quality; being well marbled adds to the flavour and tenderness of Aberdeen-Angus beef.

Through the Years

Hugh Watson can be considered the founder of the breed it is his two animals Old Jock and Old Granny that a vast majority can trace their pedigrees back to these two animals. Old Jock is a very notable bull, born in 1842 Old Jock was given the number “1” in the Scotch Herd Book when it was founded. While the roots can be traced back to Hugh Watson of Keillor Farm it was William McCombie who was the one that popularised the Angus to its world wide name as we know it. The popularisation of the breed has also led to the downfall of the Native Aberdeen Angus as by the 1970s only 40 pure breed Aberdeen Angus were left. This alarming figure has improved over the years though it is still considered at risk by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and needs further help to bring the breed back to a sustainable level.

The breed is known all over the world and was widely exported during the twentieth century with large populations of the cattle around the world particularly in the U.SA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. and over the years has been bred with other breeds of cattle for different characteristics to improve yield for farmers.