At Deluisio Angus, we believe that calm cattle are better cattle. That’s why we’ve launched a long-term breeding initiative focused on selecting and promoting Black Angus genetics with exceptional disposition, verified through hands-on testing and real-world behavior.
Our proprietary Deluisio Angus™ Calm Index is the backbone of this effort — a scoring system designed to help producers confidently select bulls and females with proven calm temperament for safer, more productive herds.
✅ Why Temperament Matters
A calm herd isn’t just easier to manage — it’s better for everyone:
- Injury Prevention – For both handlers and animals
- Labor Efficiency – Calm cattle move and work easier
- Improved Weight Gain – Less stress means better feed conversion
- Better Maternal Traits – Calm dams raise better calves
- Higher Retention – More cattle make it through each stage of production
📊 What Is the Calm Index?
The Deluisio Angus™ Calm Index is a standardized scoring system from 1 to 10, with 1 being the calmest and 10 being unsafe or aggressive. Scores are based on direct observation during daily handling, feeding, pasture checks, and chute work.
🧭 Calm Index Scale:
| Score | Disposition Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Walks directly up to handler and licks hand; fully relaxed. |
| 2 | Hesitates slightly before approaching; licks or stays calmly within arm’s reach for 2+ minutes. |
| 3 | Approaches confidently but prefers to stand next to handler without contact. |
| 4 | Calm, allows close proximity, may sniff or follow handler at a distance. |
| 5 | Alert but manageable; no flight response unless crowded. |
| 6 | Nervous around handler, keeps 5–10 ft distance, may pace or vocalize. |
| 7 | Moderate flight zone; does not allow approach within 10 ft, watches intently. |
| 8 | Reacts quickly to movement or touch, attempts to flee handling. |
| 9 | High flight risk, extremely reactive in the chute or pasture. |
| 10 | Aggressive, head down or charging behavior observed; culled immediately. |
Animals scoring 1–4 are considered Calm Index Certified and prioritized for breeding and private treaty sales.
🧬 How We Select for Calm Cattle
We use a multi-layered approach to ensure temperament is front and center without sacrificing growth or carcass merit:
- Docility-Scored Sires & Dams – Every mating starts with disposition data
- Rotational Grazing & Daily Contact – Calves learn calm behavior in low-stress systems
- Hands-On Handling – Starting at one month of age, calves are gently handled to test reaction and trainability
- Weekly Behavior Journals – Notes on each animal help shape a calm breeding profile
🌱 Our Commitment to Calm Genetics
This is a 10-year breeding plan, not a short-term marketing gimmick. By 2027, we aim to offer limited private treaty bull sales featuring Calm Index Certified sires from our Avonmore, PA herd. These bulls will offer:
- Predictable calmness
- Pasture efficiency
- Solid maternal lines
- Easy handling for first-generation and commercial cattlemen alike
📣 Follow the Journey
Progress is being documented on our main blog at Deluisio.com, where Cody Deluisio blends lessons from network engineering and regenerative farming to build resilient, calm cattle systems.
🛒 Interested in Calm Cattle?
We’re currently building a waitlist for:
- 2026 and 2027 bull and heifer sales
- Embryo availability
- Custom matings using Calm Index-qualified genetics
👉 Contact us here to get on the list.
📍 About Deluisio Angus
Deluisio Angus is a regenerative Black Angus seed-stock operation in Avonmore, Pennsylvania, led by Cody Deluisio. We breed for calm disposition, maternal strength, and performance under real-world conditions. Our genetics are built for producers who value safety, sustainability, and sanity in the cattle business.