are mated with other breeds. Angus The Aberdeen Angus, now usually known as the Angus, originated in north-eastern Scotland. It is black and has no horns. Angus cattle were first imported into New Zealand in 1863, when the Australia and New Zealand Land Company introduced a bull and three cows to their station in Southland. In the 1880s they set up the first Angus stud in New Zealand, at Totara Estate in North Otago. Theory vs practice Some farm workers had novel ideas about how to deal with difficult cattle. 'A new chum who was working on [Te Waimate] Station had a theory that a beast would not charge if one turned one's back on it, and then stooped down and looked at it through one's legs. But a well-known poley [hornless] bullock disproved his theory, and hit him right on the soft end -- luckily, however, without serious injury.' 2 The Scottish Angus was a small, stocky beast, noted for its hardiness and its ability to thrive on poor pasture. From the 1960s, New Zealand breeders bred it to produce a taller, longer and larger animal. Modern Angus The modern Angus is moderately large and well-muscled. It is hardy and can thrive in hard hill country. The cows are highly fertile and good mothers. Angus meat is lean and well-marbled, with excellent flavour. Angus cattle have been the most popular breed in New Zealand for many years, and comprised 21% of the national beef herd in 2006. The bulls