Lowline Angus cattle have it all: perfect size, friendly dispositions and fabulous finished beef. If you want the ‘lowdown’ on this great breed, no one is more knowledgeable than Mark Ramsey of 4R Farms in Republic, Mo. Mark and his wife, Becky, have been raising Lowline Black Angus cattle in Greene County for seven years.
Lowline Angus are an Australian breed of cattle that first entered the United States in 1997. Lowlines are 50 to 60 percent of the size of average beef cattle, making them the perfect size for people with smaller acreage. In fact, Mark sells a many of his cattle to folks with 10 acres or less. The size of the Lowline and the amount of forage intake of each animal makes it possible to put 30 percent more beef on the ground per acre. These cattle are very friendly and have a wonderful, laid back temperament that makes them easy to handle. Another pro for the Lowline breed is that their meat marbles well when the cattle are finished on grass – a big plus in the beef market. Portion sizes are definitely another plus – these Angus produce a smaller, more manageable cut of meat.
When it comes to breeding, Mark recommends covering first calf heifers with a Lowline Angus bull. He really wants people to, “look at the ease of calving of first calf heifers,” when bred to a Lowline. The bull’s smaller stature makes for greater ease of calving. Because of this, pulling calves is simply not an issue at 4R Farms. Cows and heifers are bred in the spring and fall. Mark’s herd consist 125 cows and seven bulls. Mark checks his cows on horseback, a technique that helps keep stress to a minimum for the cattle – not to mention the enjoyment factor.
Mark keeps his cattle herd closed, which greatly reduces any spread of disease and keeps the environment healthy. At 4R Farms, you will only find, “grass fed, antibiotic free animals.” “I sell beef on the hoof,” says Mark, “and I’m a seedstock guy. I sell open and bred heifers and a few cow/calf pairs.”
Between his cattle farming and his excavating business, Ramsey Excavating, Mark stays busy. His best time management tip, according to his wife, Becky, is, “a good wife and a good office manager who help him stay on top of things.” Mark is certainly on top of all things Lowline Angus. He says that there is currently work being done to increase the number of Lowline Red Angus. As of right now, there are only a few, but hopefully that will change in the near future.
