How to Select & Raise Black Angus Cattle for Meat
Easily recognizable with their all black coloring, Black Angus are a sturdy breed raised primarily for their excellent quality meat and ease in management. Brought to the United States in 1873 from their native Aberdeen, Scotland, they proved extremely hearty, withstanding tough Midwestern winters on the open range.
There were 282,911 registered Black Angus in the United States in 2009, according to the American Angus Association, attesting to its popularity as a beef producing breed. With research and planning, selecting and raising a herd can be a successful endeavor.
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Instructions
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Join an organization dedicated to the Black Angus breed. National associations are an excellent resource, providing educational materials, research capabilities and contact with other ranchers and professionals. State organizations specializing in Black Angus cattle help you make educated decisions in herd selection and the handling of Black Angus at a local level.
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Make a budget. Research the cost of purchasing registered Black Angus to start your herd. Also including the cost per head for breeding costs, feed, handling and processing. This helps determine if you need financing to begin your herd, how large a herd you can afford and the costs to raise the cattle through processing.
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Select the highest quality registered heifer for breeding you can afford to start your herd. Investing in a registered Black Angus with a proven pedigree will greatly improve your success at raising a productive herd. Use the databases provided by national and state associations to locate reputable breeders. Check for up-to-date health records for your heifer provided by the breeder and verify that the registration tags or numbers tattooed on the animal's ears match her registration papers.
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Determine how you plan to increase your herd. Decide if artificial insemination provided by a breeding service or purchasing a bull for breeding best meets your needs and fits your budget. Use association databases to find a breeder and verify that either the sperm for artificial insemination or the bull you plan to purchase has a performance history that supports your goals.
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Keep detailed records. Good herd management of Black Angus raised for meat production requires records that begin at birth and continue until sold to market. National and regional organizations provide standardized forms and details of the required information to record.
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Learn proper handling techniques for Black Angus. Proper handling keeps the herd healthy and on track for optimum weight gain. Determine the best method of feeding your herd, whether grain fed, open range or a combination, and decide if you wish to raise organic Black Angus. Also research and develop the components of a health maintenance program. Finally, research and determine the optimum age and weight at which your cattle should be sold to market.
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References
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