BREED STANDARDS FOR AUSLINE CATTLE
Ausline cattle are DNA tested and direct descendants of the Trangie and Glen Innes Angus herds, Scottish Native bred Angus and Angus genetics that have not had American angus breeding post 1968.
Purebred Auslines, (Those animals that have used any other cattle breed as their base), are the product of a breeding up process needing 93.75% (15/16) Ausline blood for both males and females to be registered as Pure bred Ausline.
Native bred Angus genetics, Lowline genetics and animals directly descended from angus cattle with no American genetics after 1968, are included in the Heritage Angus Register. They themselves cannot be shown but when bred with registered Ausline cattle the offspring can be registered as Ausline cattle. The following standards apply to both Ausline and Pure Bred Ausline cattle.
1. GENERAL – Ausline cattle are a pure beef breed. They are bred from direct descendants of the “original Angus cattle”. These pure Angus bloodlines have been sourced from: the Trangie research centre NSW, (In 1992 the low growth rate cohort of Trangie’s feed trials were used as the base of the Lowline breed), Native bred Angus cattle from Scotland and other worldwide Angus herds that can prove no American genetics since 1968. DNA testing of the full blood herd ensures its genetic purity. Grading up to purebred status, with DNA testing, is recognised.
2. COLOUR – Ausline cattle should be a solid Red, solid Black or White Park Pattern. Red and black cattle should be a uniform solid colour. A little white may be found on the scrotum or the udder. This white patch should not extend further forward than the navel, on the underbelly only, not extending beyond the drip line. White is not permitted on the head, body or tail of solid red or black animals.
White cattle (Cattle exhibiting the White Park colour pattern) can also be shown. That is predominately white with black or red points and sometimes coloured spots (similar to British White colour pattern).
3. HORNS – All Ausline cattle are naturally polled.
4. SIZE – Ausline cattle should be no more than a frame score 4 for the showring, 130cm measured at the hip.
Commercial cattle may exceed this height. Measuring at Royal shows is at the discretion of the Breed inspector.
5. CONFORMATION – Ausline cattle display the phenotype expected from a British beef breed. The Ausline is wide and deep in keeping with its beef producing purpose. Ausline characteristics should include the following
a. Fertility – There should be evidence of longevity. Bulls are masculine in appearance, virile and with strong libido. Cows are feminine in appearance with a breeding history of regular calving depending on the age of the cow.
b. Sheath – Penis angle is approximately 25 degrees from the horizontal.
c. Testicles – Testicles must not be rotated. They will be of a size relating to the age of the bull and will be held away from the body, but not allowed to swing too freely.
d. Udder and Teats- The udder is balanced with well attached, moderate sized functional teats and no bottle teats.
e. Skin – Hair will reflect the normal differences expected in areas of extreme cold and heat and the general good health of the animal.
f. Legs and Feet- Squarely set on sound feet with an easy gait.
g. The top line – Should exhibit good strength of spine and support a good barrel. The tail set will be a smooth continuation of the backline.
h. The head – Generally an alert head with wide muzzle, no under or over shot jaw and good width between the well hooded eyes.
I. Disposition – Docility is a key feature of the Ausline breed.
Definitions
Ausline: Are a combined breeding of cattle directly descendant from the Trangie and Glen Innes Angus herds (Lowlines), Scottish Native bred Angus and Angus genetics that have not had American angus breeding post 1968
Pure bred: Those animals that have used other cattle breeds as their base, and through a process of breeding up attain 93.75% (15/16) of Ausline blood for both males and females.
Breeding up: The process of producing Pure bred animals by starting with a “Non-Ausline” base and by using an Ausline parent in subsequent generation, increases the percentage of Ausline blood until 93.75%.
Heritage Angus: Identified lines of Angus cattle that do not include any American genetics post 1968. These include Trangie and Glen Innes descended cattle (Lowlines), Scottish Native bred Angus cattle and Angus cattle that have not had American angus breeding post 1968
Heritage Angus Register: This is a register of animals that have been identified as Heritage Angus. These animals are not considered to be Auslines but can be used to breed with Auslines to produce registered Ausline progeny.
Frame score: is a convenient way of describing the skeletal size of cattle. Most animals should maintain the same frame score throughout their life, while actual height increases with age. This allows one frame score value to be used regardless of when the animal was evaluated. It can also predict the mature size of an animal when assessing younger stock.
Pathway to breeding Ausline Cattle
