OT-shorthorn cattle questions

4010 puller · Apr 9, 2012

Hello:

What are the biggest differences between the durham/american shorthorn cattle versus the milking shorthorn? Wanting to add some shorthorn to a mix of angus,limousin, and simmental. I like their roan color and think they would give good milk production for higher weaning weight calves. According to their websites, they discuss separating breeds 50-60 years ago, but both show their breed being originated as dual purpose breeds. Which would be better, buy a shorthorn bull to breed my cattle and save the heifers or buy more of a purebred shorthorn? I just dont want too much milk production like a holstein where i have to worry about mastitis.

Dave from MN · Apr 9, 2012

We used a shorthorn< red roan, purchased from a breeder in east central mn. Lost the bull due to injury 2nd summer, but I loved them calves. Have a daughter from =him and she calved a nice bull, unassisted at 20 months, and milks great, and is tame as a pet. I also saved one of his son's. I will be going back to the shorthorn this year as the black angus I had summer of 2010 had the slowest adg gain I have ever had. Not happy at all. Here is a pic of one born today from a 1/2 shorthorn, 1/4 pinzgauer, 1/4 charlios father and a black Simmental mother. Awesome calf. My youngest son has already started the bidding in the family.

Dave from MN · Apr 9, 2012

umm, I meant the calves from that black bull had the worst adg of any calves I have had in the last 5 years since I been in it.

Mike (WA) · Apr 9, 2012

Stick with the beef shorthorn- I've had both, and the milking shorthorn just gives too much milk, and leads to complications. Beef type gives plenty of milk for a calf.

That being said, check with others about lower prices at the sale barn for shorthorn vs. hereford or black.

I sure liked them, though- great disposition, good mothers, few calving problems. And the fun (for your grandkids) of having many different colors. Angus are great, but they always seem to turn out, well, black.

Fern(Mi) · Apr 9, 2012

Living, working , and playing in Shorthorn country raising registered Shorthorns. Breeding them has involved the selection of a great many different traits over the years.
Our interest lies in registered Shorthorn beef herd replacements. However from time to time we purposely introduce a milking Shorthorn bull to make sure their milk production will nurse calf to weaning.
I guess it is all in what you want in a cow as to how you want them breed. Our tend to meet the requirements our customer want when starting herds of their own.
Some of our animals are double registered.
Probably biggest change has been when I came on the scene 75% of the herd were horned cattle. Today the tables reversed 75% of the herd is polled.
You may asked you AI semen dealer for a catalog. He'll likely have what you may need to sway your calves this way or that.
Fernan

Anonymous-0 · Apr 10, 2012

Try some Red.

Pair-a-dice farm · Apr 10, 2012

My grandad started raising registered shorthorns in 1917 and I still have a few that can be traced back to the original line. I would try to find beef shorthorns from an old herd that has raised them for production. The problem I have with shorthorns is that many of the breeders have raised them for show cattle and lost some of the natural traits that made them one of the best breeds. In my area they just don't sell well so I have been crossing with Angus which makes an excellent cross.

OT-shorthorn cattle questions

4010 puller

Well-known Member

Dave from MN

Well-known Member

Dave from MN

Well-known Member

Mike (WA)

Well-known Member

Fern(Mi)

Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Pair-a-dice farm

Well-known Member