Darrell and Barbara Gotaas, owners and operators of Big Island Lowlines, have been involved with Lowline cattle since 2000.  It is with desire to help this breed achieve the success that it has achieved in Australia and the United  States, that they have grown their herd to be one of the largest registered fullblood and crossbred Lowline cattle operations in Canada.  Darrell currently serves as President of the Canadian Lowline Cattle Association.  Both Darrell and Barbara are involved in showing and promoting their cattle, herd management, and in the selling of Lowline and crossbred beef. 

Paul Gotaas comes from a rural background, having grown up in Camrose, Alberta.  Though currently living in Edmonton, he and his wife Arlene, have maintained horses and cattle at their farm in Hay Lakes, Alberta, for decades.  Paul was the catalyst in the beginnings of Big Island Lowlines as he became convinced, after doing extensive research, that Lowline cattle have advantages to provide the commercial cattleman, the small acreage farmer, and the modern day consumer desiring smaller cuts of  tender and tasty beef.  Paul has extensive knowledge of the history of the breed and of Lowline pedigrees.  He is a firm believer in the future of these cattle in Canada.  Paul began a crossbreeding program in 2005.  He owns a number of Galloway-Lowline and Angus-Lowline cross animals.

Murray Skippen is an invaluable part of the Big Island Lowlines team.  Murray was raised on a purebred Limousin and Blonde d’ Aquitaine farm.  He has worked for Canada’s largest embryo transfer company, Emtech Genetics, for 11 years as an embryo technician. He has shown several breeds of cattle across Canada and the U.S. for over 20 years.  Murray has shown Big Island Lowline cattle since 2003 and has housed most of the herd since 2004.  He is enthusiastic about the characteristics of  Lowline cattle, and has used his skills in presenting Lowline cattle to help win Big Island Lowlines many ribbons!  He would be happy to help any new Big Island Lowline customers with aftersales service and information needed.

Big Island Lowlines is a family operated farm with Lowline cattle located in the west end of Edmonton, Alberta, and in a second location just east of Sherwood Park, Alberta.  Both locations are in close proximity to the city.

Big Island Lowlines became involved with Lowline cattle in January of 2000 with the purchase of 4 fullblood heifers and 20 Australian and domestic embryos.  Our embryos calved out in the fall of 2000, and along with our original live animals, formed the foundation of our present fullblood herd. We have added several outcross bulls to our operation to add to our genetic pool.  We have flushed embryos for direct transfer and freezing, and have enjoyed good success with natural breeding.

The farm is owned and operated by Darrell and Barbara Gotaas, and Darrell’s father Paul. Murray Skippen is an invaluable part of the management of Big Island Lowlines, and house the cattle east of Sherwood Park.  All of us enjoy telling others about the breed, and we welcome those who want to have a look at our animals.

We have exhibited our cattle annually at Farmfair  International since 2000.  Farmfair  runs concurrently with the Canadian Finals Rodeo at Northlands Park in Edmonton during the beginning of November.  We have shown in the Multi-Breed show at Farmfair International since 2004.  The first National Lowline show was held at Farmfair International in November 2007. Six breeders showed 43 Lowline cattle. The show was a successful event and has promise of becoming an annual event. We also participate in the Camrose Bull Congress which is held in Camrose, Alberta in January each year. We also attend the Lowline Show and Sale at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, as well as the American Lowline Registry annual meeting which runs at that time in January as well. In January of 2008 Big Island Lowlines took 5 Lowline cattle to Denver for the show and sale. It was a successful venture for our operation. Big Island Lowlines participated in the first Lowline Show in British Columbia, held at the IPE in August.

Big Island Lowlines has been successfully crossbreeding Lowline cattle since 2005.  We are very excited about this aspect of our operation.  We have had our halfbloods involved in steer sales at Farmfair International, and in the steer class at the IPE jackpot, they have been well received.  We have crossed Lowline bulls with Galloway, Angus, and Simmental cattle.

Big Island Lowlines is among the largest registered fullblood  Lowline cattle operations in Canada.  We have always focused on raising sound, easy  keeping, high yielding, grass fed cattle.