In 1999, Paul Gotaas began to think about how he might spend his time and energy when at some point in the future he would retire from his profession of dentistry. Paul had long had a passion for horses, cattle, trying new things, and a challenge. When Paul

heard about some “smaller black cattle” that had recently arrived in Alberta, he found his way to Ted Jansen and soon became convinced that Lowline was a breed that he wanted to become involved with. Paul shared his enthusiasm regarding the e� ciency of Lowline cattle with his wife Arlene, his son Darrell,

and his daughter-in-law Barbara.In the fall of 1999, Big Island Lowlines (named after

the island in the North Saskatchewan River just below Darrell and Barb’s place) purchased 20 embryos that were transplanted into 20 Holstein heifers at Alta Genetics. At the same time, Greta MLP (daughter of the great Australian donor cow Mugga Ellen) and three ET heifer calves Alta Paulie, Alta Mattie, and Alta Sarah (named after Darrell and Barb’s children) were purchased. The implant program produced 7 bull and 7 heifer calves in the fall of 2000.

Big Island Lowlines began their involvement in the exhibition and promotion of the Lowline breed at Farmfair International in Edmonton, Alberta in the fall of 2000 with exhibition of the � rst Lowline at Farmfair, a 7 day old bottle fed ET bull calf, Alta Grizz BIL 6K.

In 2002, to add diversity to their breeding program, Big Island purchased 4 breeding bulls; Zeus SCR, Titus SCR, Apollo SCR, and Chet. This introduced Goan Saltbush, Captain Knightcrawler, Commodore and Bosun genetics. Miss Sun Creek Aztek was purchased in 2003, adding a Knightcrawler line to Big Island females. Over the years, Big Island has consistently added new genetics to their herd to continue to provide diversity and improve the quality of the Lowline breed. Before the days of using a computer program for herd management, Big Island relied on Paul’s detailed analysis and construction of pedigree charts for developing their breeding program and for continued acquisition of semen, bulls, and females to provide genetic diversity and quality. Big Island also began to

Paul & Alta Grizz

Paul, Matthew & Sarah

Paul & Arlene

be actively involved in cross breeding with the Angus, Galloway, Red Poll and Speckle Park breeds. There were many days and nights spent at the kitchen table, in parking lots, and at restaurants discussing Paul’s charts in detail! In a way it was a sad day when the computer program took over.

Over the years, Paul has enjoyed immensely his discussions with David Whitehead, Ted Jansen and many others regarding Lowline genetics.

In 2003, Murray Skippen joined Big Island Lowlines as herdsman. Murray has been an integral part of the operation since Day 1 of his involvement. Murray has not only made a commitment to promote and improve Big Island Lowline cattle, but the Lowline breed as a whole. Murray is always ready and available to “talk Lowline” and to share his wealth of knowledge about “anything cattle”. Murray looks forward to heading o� to Denver and Houston annually to meet with fellow Lowline breeders south of the border. Murray has become like family to the Big Island operation.

Big Island Lowline began showing their cattle in 2003, at Edmonton’s Farmfair International in the Multi Breed Show. Big Island added participation in other exhibitions, sales, and shows throughout Alberta; in St. Paul,

Drayton Valley, the Camrose Canadian Bull Congress, and at the Calgary Stampede.

In 2007, the � rst Canadian National Lowline Show was enthusiastically welcomed by the Farmfair International Beef Committee. Lowline cattle in attendance were representatives of Big Island Lowlines, Black AZ Lowline, BM Lowlines, Silver Hill Lowlines, Twa Cattle Company, and Wild Rose Lowlines. In November of 2015, the 9th National Show was held in this same venue. Big Island Lowlines is regularly represented at the Interprovincial Show in Armstrong, BC, the National Western Stock Show in Denver, the International Livestock Show in Houston, and at Farmfair International in Edmonton. Big Island has produced Canadian male and female Grand Champions and also a Grand Champion Bull at the Houston International Lowline Show. Big Island cattle have also topped a number of sales in prices paid.

In June 2008, Big Island introduced the � rst recognized red carrier fullblood bull and female in Canada with the births of Alta Magnum and Alta Abigail sired by Bluey and Awesome Red respectively. A year later, Lazy G. Red Skye was imported and was the � rst red fullblood Lowline bull in Canada. Since then Big Island has added the true red gene through the use of Alm Bess genetics. The red bull Alta Legend (� rst red Lowline born in Canada) and the true red gene carrier black bull Alta Demolition were born in 2010 and 2011 respectively. They were sold and have been and are currently being used successfully in breeding programs in North and South America and also in

Alta Demolition 214Y

Australia. 2016 is starting out as an exciting year for red Lowline in the Big Island herd.

In 2010 Big Island sent its � rst export of 10 Lowline heifers to the UK. After a long and complicated process of working with the CFIA to produce a CHAH certi� cation protocol that would work for beef herds, the heifers were exported

and were the � rst live cattle to enter the UK from Canada in over 20 years, and the � rst live Lowline to set foot in the UK. Big Island has enjoyed working with Wessex Lowliness to send to date, 29 heifers to the UK. In the summer of 2015, Paul and Arlene, Darrell, Barbara, Paul, Matthew

and Sarah, traveled to Dorset County in the UK to visit with the owners and managers of Wessex Lowlines. It was a pleasure to see how the Wessex operation has � ourished and

the enthusiasm and professionalism with which they promote the Lowline breed in the UK and the EU!

For more than a decade and a half, Big Island Lowlines has been actively supplying breeding stock to buyers locally, nationally, and beyond, thereby aiding in the start-up of fullblood and/or mixed breed commercial herds. We recently have also had very preliminary discussions with the University of Alberta Faculty of Agricultural, Life, and Environmental Sciences and are excited about the possibility of collaborating with two research stations in studies of beef breeding, genomics, environmental in� uences, and rangeland ecology and management.

Darrell served as President of the Canadian Lowline Cattle Association for 10 years and currently remains a member of the Board of Directors. He enjoys being involved in the operation with his father. Barbara is the administrator for the Big Island operation and has been involved with the planning of the Canadian National Lowline Show since 2007.

On a more personal note: One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Lowline breeder is all the truly wonderful people that we, at Big Island, have met over the past 17 years. Meeting, working with, and showing with many wonderful people has truly been a blessing to each one of us. We have so many memories that we are grateful for, so much wisdom and good advice that we have received, and so many friendships that we have made. Thank you for being a part of our journey. We are looking forward to making many more memories with you.

We wish you every success with your Lowline experience.

God bless you and your families – Paul, Arlene, Darrell, Barbara, Murray

Wessex Lowines, Paul, Barbara and Darrell