Settlers first brought Shorthorn cattle to this country in the mid 1800’s because they combined excellent maternal traits with superior meat quality. The same innate characteristics are what make Shorthorns so valuable to the beef industry of today. The merits of commercial cattlemen using crossbred females have been proven time and time again. Crossbreeding is the most effective method of improving lowly heritable, but highly profitable traits like reproductive performance. Crossbreeding has also proven to be extremely valuable in increasing cow longevity and pounds weaned per cow exposed. This means lower costs for developing and buying replacement females and more return when it’s time to market.
Shorthorn is the logical component of the commercial crossbred female. The superb disposition and maternal ability allow producers to take advantage of maternal heterosis without the extremes in size, milk and energy requirements of larger mature size breeds or the temperament, udder and lack of convenience traits associated with some English alternatives. Shorthorn’s exceptional carcass quality combined with their ability to reach heavier market weights and maintain acceptable leanness makes them well suited for the retained ownership and grid marketing programs of today’s beef industry.
The commercial programs offered by the ASA are designed to assist producers and buyers of Shorthorn genetics in profitably applying Shorthorn’s unique combination of traits to today’s beef industry. |
