History of Angus Cattle in America

Farmer Damon Dobesh lives and works in Nebraska, where he grows corn, soy, and alfalfa. Damon Dobesh also keeps Angus cattle at the farm he shares with his brother. 

Angus cattle, known internationally as Aberdeen Angus cattle, are native to northern Scotland. The first four Angus cattle in the United States came over with George Grant, who settled in Victoria, Kansas, in 1873. The hornless bulls were locally regarded as abnormalities, but the breed grew on Americans after crossing it with the heartier Texas longhorn cow. 

Americans began importing Angus cattle in large numbers around 1878. The Midwest saw the arrival of 1,200 head of cattle in just a five year span, and new owners began to start new herds, breed new stock, and spread the Angus breed across the nation. 

Today, Angus cows remain popular in the United States, where they are prized for their quality meat. The breed makes up more than 60 percent of commercial cattle population across the country.