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History
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By the 1990s I decided to concentrate on pure bred registered Angus cattle, but they had changed appreciably since my youth. I set out to work with only the original genetics and tried to build a herd with no imported bloodlines and create the type of cattle with rightly made the Aberdeen Angus name famous around the world. These unique cattle were famed for their superior meat quality and their ability to adapt and thrive in a huge diversity of conditions. It is somewhat ironic these adaptable cattle, which were first registered in the mid 19th century, are more relevant now at the beginning of the 21st century as grains become increasingly expensive and scarce. To use 12 kilos - approx 26 lbs - of grain, which could be used for human consumption, for an animal live weight gain of 2 kilos - approx 4.5 lbs - surely exemplifies the great need for forage efficient cattle. The first Native cow I bought in 1995 was Karen of Boghall, from a family sometimes known as Kindness Prides or Prides of Aberdeen. These in fact trace back through the famous Lola Montes 208, which was bred by William McCombie and Queen Mother 348 to Queen of Ardovie, born in 1836 and bred by W. Fullerton of Ardestie, Angus. Karen is the dam of Dunlouise Kinsman. My next purchase was Ejeta of Templehouse; she was without doubt the greatest breeding animal I have ever bought. She is the backbone of the entire Native project and it is not an overstatement to say that without Ejeta I doubt that the Native cattle would have survived. Unfortunately, she was hurt and died aged 19, back in calf with a perfect udder and feet. Her 10 year old son Dunlouise Excalibur has also never had his feed touched. |
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Ejeta traces back to Emily 332, born in 1852, sired by Old Jock (1), bred by High Watson of Keillor, Angus, Scotland. Emily was the dam of Erica (843) sired by Cupbearer (59), bred by the Earl of Southesk, Kinnaird Castle, Brechin, Angus, and sold to Sir George McPherson Grant of Ballindalloch. He played a huge part in making the Ericas the largest and most sort after family. I purchased a Eulima - a tribe of the Erica family, which had been in the very capable hands of the Goodson family in Scottish Borders for many generations. These trace back through Enchantress (981) and her daughter Eugenie of Ballindalloch (4170) to Emily (332) bred at Keillor by Hugh Watson.  |
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I then acquired the only 2 members of the Jipsey family left in existence and we have managed to expand this truly wonderful family. The Jipsey family originated at The Spot, at the very top of Glen Prosen here in Angus, with Old Jip (965) in 1862 bred by Arch Whyte, whose ancestors still farm there. My next purchase was several members of the Cherry Blossom family, which is the only branch to have survived of the Craigo family. These originated from a mating of Young Craigo with Craigo (260), bred by Captain Carnegie of Craigo, Montrose, Angus. I then managed to acquire a daughter of Dunlouise Excalibur YO70 out of the very rare Nell of Aldbar family, generally accepted as the oldest family in the breed; the line can be traced back with considerable assurance to the original black polled cattle which were at Aldbar Castle, Brechin, Angus in the middle of the 18th century. These were known as the "Sheriffs Breed" as they were the favourites of Sheriff Patrick Chalmers (1777-1826), when he owned the estate. Aldbar estate remained in the Chalmers family until the castle was demolished in the mid 1960s. I negotiated a swap deal and acquired Ruby 5th of Newcroft as an 11 year old cow, and she has proven to be a good embryo donor. We now have several ET sons and daughters born in Wyoming USA, which is fortunate as Ruby is one of only 2 remaining Natives from the Ruth of Tillyfour family. Ruth of Tillyfour was a daughter of Beauty of Tillyfour 2nd (1180) bred by Hugh Watson and bought with her daughter, Miss Watson (987) at the Keillor dispersion in 1861 by Wm McCombie. These Native Aberdeen Angus are on the critically endangered list of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (Spring 2009 brochure), from whom we have had semen to widen our gene pool. The Native cattle are a by word for efficient use of grass, very sound structure, easy fleshing, easy keeping and easy calving. The preservation of these rare bloodlines and expansion of the gene pool has been essential in order to re-introduce these unique genetics worldwide, as I believe they are "The Genetic Blueprint of the Breed"! Geordie |
