Aberdeen-Angus cattle

ouedtaria asked: Are the breed of Angus cattle born with no horns or are they removed as calves

Aberdeen-Angus cattle are naturally polled (hornless). They are also hardy, black, and the 'world's most famous breed of quality beef cattle'. But don't take my word for it - that comes from the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society themselves.

Where are they from
Not surprisingly, given the name, the breed originally comes from North-east Scotland - most notably from Keillor in Angus, Tillyfour in Aberdeenshire and Ballindalloch, on the River Spey. That's where the breed developed at the hands of 19th century farmers like Hugh Watson, William McCombie and Sir George Macpherson-Grant.

What do you mean 'developed'
The Aberdeen-Angus breed is the result of some intensive line breeding and selection. Natural selection played its part too - the local cattle in that area of Scotland (known as 'doddies' or 'hummlies') were hardy enough and produced good beef, but those early breeders helped nature along. The first sale of the bulls took place in 1863, and by 1878 they won the equivalent of the Cattle World Cup at the Paris Exhibition of 1878.

The outstanding characteristics of the breed include 'easy management, economy of production and superior beef qualities' (this from the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society). Not surprisingly, dairy farmers love them.

First Aberdeen, then the world.
They've done more for export sales than the Bay City Rollers, that's for sure. Scotsman George Grant imported the first four Angus bulls from Scotland to the USA in 1873. In the States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina the breed quickly established a dominant position.

So they are big business
More than that, it appears that Aberdeen-Angus cattle can become a way of life. In the States, for example, there is a National Junior Angus Association for the children of breeders; there is an annual Angus Foundation Golf Tournament. We haven't been able to track down anything to do with Breeders' Wives, but you never know...

Does Angus beef taste better than any other kind
Some would say. Certified Angus Beef was the Official Branded Beef Supplier to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games - and proud of it.

But it's not been a good time for the British beef industry
Remember in 1990 as Agriculture Secretary John Gummer staged a PR stunt on behalf of British beef by eating a hamburger with his 4-year-old daughter Cordelia By March 1996, the British government was forced to acknowledge a plausible link between 'mad-cow disease' and deaths in humans. British beef was banned around the world. Beef prices plummeted.

And then came the Foot & Mouth crisis. So no, it has been a rough time for the British beef industry.

At least the Aberdeen Angus Steakhouse survives
Apparently, there are 40 of them in Central London. As long as tourists want a prawn cocktail to round off a 'traditional British meal', there will always be Steakhouses.

Until the tourists realise that the 'traditional British meal' is now a Chicken Tikka Masala.

See also: The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society