Onyx Park Native Angus®

Onyx Park Native Angus® was established with one primary objective in mind - the preservation of Native Angus® cattle.

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The Native Angus® story is one of astounding success from humble beginnings centuries ago in the glens of Scotland. From those glens they were exported to every country on earth that runs cattle, becoming the predominant breed globally. Ironically, their very success led them to the brink of extinction, as their original genetics were infused with those of other breeds and imported back to their homeland. By 1995, only a handful with unaltered original genetics survived.

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Were it not for the efforts of the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society's Mr Bob Anderson, Geordie and Julia Soutar from Dunlouise Angus and the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST), they would not be here today. And as it is, while they have been removed from the RBST's Critical Watchlist (< 150 breeding females), they remain on the Endangered Watchlist (< 250 breeding females) - still but a short step from extinction.

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As the blueprint of the Angus breed, the historic relevance of the Native Angus® is undeniable. That they are also commercially relevant is becoming more evident as consumer preferences move towards healthy, nutrient dense food. Both of these considerations drive our approach to preserving these iconic cattle. 

 

In the first instance, we are focused on building a herd in Australia that preserves as many of the Native Angus® families as we can. In this we follow in the footsteps of Geordie and Julia Soutar of Dunlouise Angus, who have not only rescued the breed from likely extinction but have, over more than 20 years, established a base of genetic diversity which now provides the foundation for sound growth of the breed. We join in this task with other breeders such as Harrison O'Connor of the Saddle Butte Ranch in Montana, USA and Joy Howley of Alto Angus in Victoria, Australia who are champions of the Native Angus®.

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In the second instance, we are taking a pragmatic approach. The best way to preserve the Native Angus® is to show they are commercially relevant. That is not to say that they are comparatively "better" than modern Angus (or any other breed), rather to say that they have certain traits or characteristics that make economic sense relative to modern Angus (or any other breed). For example, Native Angus® were bred over centuries to thrive on relatively poor forage, a trait which suits them well when finishing on grass is required. We are focused on demonstrating as widely as possible the commercial relevance of Native Angus® in the market niches where they show comparative strengths.

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With fewer than 250 registered breeding females, Native Angus® cattle are at higher risk than Mountain Gorilla, Giant Panda and Black Rhino ...

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They deserve a shot at preservation and we are doing all we can to see that they get one.