Shorthorn Association | The American Rancher 09-23-19

coming up I don't think there's another breed out there that compares to the docility of the short horn cattle we are a family oriented breed but we're a business breed at the same time we're really making great strides forward see how cattlemen are profiting with one of America's oldest and most efficient breeds next on the American Rancher [Music] [Music] hello and welcome to the American Rancher I'm Pam Minich in the year 1775 the end of the Revolutionary War marked the beginning of American independence and in 1783 the first short horn cattle arrived on American farms today short horns represent a unique economic opportunity for US beef producers the breeds disposition and easy care make it ideal for families and small farms and its performance and complementary traits make it the perfect match for crossbreeding with commercial Angus cow herds and through extensive research at the University of Illinois the breeds proven efficiency pays dividends as consumer demand focuses on a more sustainable beef supply our our short horn story begins with two western ranches one in California and the other in Nebraska that have embraced everything the breed has to offer short on cattle when I was growing up I was probably in grade school when that sign went up so we've had we've been round short ones for a long time so my brother bought I have four shorter an effort for me in the 1950s and we've kind of had short horns ever since we enjoy working together out here talking about the cattle and talking about what we want to do next year what both we want to use what we want the cattle to look like and so that close working relationship that discussion of what we want to accomplish is is valuable to me well my family came to the area in the early 1900s and we've been here since then I want to be able to produce cattle that will perform on the feedlot form out in the field these cows if you watch them in a day they'll be from one end of the pasture to the other and back again particularly in this part of the world with you know fairly big pastures not a lot of rain we think it's really important for the cattle to be British that's shorn Angus and her fur and our cattle are short on angus composites they're easy to get along with the calves well Dame elk well they don't have a lot of issues they don't get huge on size a lot of them and just fit our country well short horns have qualities that we appreciate ours are certainly structurally correct they could they can move they can cover ground they are really good mothers they have all the what I would call the that the markers of what you would consider quality cattle I do think we also approved with the short arm blood in and we're improving the structure on these cattle their foot structure and how they travel and again when you're out in bigger pastures it's a longer trip to the water tank and these cows have to be able to move one of the goals I had was to try and get the short horn breed to be a viable strong participant in the cattle industry my objectives that was a vision that I had as chars what I wanted to accomplish as president very happy with what I what product I have the performance I think is there particularly in the crossbreed part of it across well on angus cross well on Herefords traits docility of course mothering ability the fertility I can will perform better than anything that they have in the feedlot we're really in the low maintenance cows I mean if a cow gives us a problem cabin she's gone we do not I'm too old to put a counter chute to help a calf nurse they need to do that on their own to do that they need good quality utters and so that's something that's really important to us we like smart cows and smart calves and this bunch of cows and calves fill the bill for us you know if you're strictly commercial you need to be crossbreeding and you know the deal well I always say is you know there's a lot of really good Hereford Angus cows and this part the world and if you have a Hereford Angus cow if you breed her back to an Angus bull you're gonna lose some heterosis if you breed her back to a Hereford bull you're gonna lose some heterosis you breed her back to a short horn bowl you're gonna maximize the heterosis on the three breed cross they're still gonna be all British and you're gonna maintain all those traits that are important to you but if you're looking for a program the Shorthorn genetics will give you that give you that mother give you that performance will give you enough milk but it provides several the good characteristics that you're looking for to build your hurt more than two centuries of progress and commitment by Shorthorn breeders has created highly efficient and productive Shorthorn genetics backed by solid integrity our short horn journey continues in America's heartland where the breed not only represents a rich heritage for farming families but a pathway to sustainable beef production there's generally some good cattle around here my grandfather was the first person from the United States asked to go over the United Kingdom and and judge their main Shorthorn show in Perth being a part of that integrity in the product you're delivering and being with a breed that we really love we try to raise livestock that are very much low maintenance and real sound on breeding calving knees growth structure we really make sure to the best of our abilities they aren't sold something it's just sizzle we really want to know what they need what they want and then try to make sure it matches up with the Lots and the kind of genetics to put into their herd I don't think there's another breed out there that compares to the docility of the Shorthorn cattle we have small children on our farm and we don't have to worry about the kids going out and checking the cows and the calves and telling us what's going on they're a great breed for kids to get started with and for age in terms of docility and more importantly they're a great breed for any commercial producer to have because nobody likes a trainwreck nobody like to be run over everybody likes the docile animal that works through the chute and one of the things that the Shorthorn breed has been doing over the last several years is we docility score all of our cattle not only when they cattle on the farm but also through the american Shorthorn sire test all the calves that were produced in that system were docility tested three times during the entire process the vast majority of Shorthorns do extremely well in all different climate conditions the short horns in general are really easy for children to work with and feel comfortable because of those dispositions you're gonna be able to find a horn that matches up with what your want to accomplish within your breeding program you're gonna be able to find a functional well balanced animal that's got the look and the ability to go out and perform wherever you want to go with your operation if you don't have to have near as many medical bills taking care of yourself and others because the cattle don't cause you troubles it's a great advantage they're very gentle and we don't work with these cattle and bring them all in and brush on them and try to gentle them down they're just nicely dispositioned and if they're not we don't keep them we are a family oriented breed but we're a business breed at the same time I know that I can rely on the system the American Shorthorn Association has in place as well as the service that they offer me that if I ever have a question I can go to them and and have confidence in the genetic decisions that I'm making we feel very confident that why Shorthorns will be around another 75 years with what the shoulder association offers us there's just so many wonderful things about the Shorthorn breed one of the things that that i like so much about them is they're versatile they're also cattle that have an enormous amount of commercial value to them they're great in the pasture and they're even better on the plate the jr. programs in the Shorthorn business are just outstanding it's learning about agriculture and learning about cattle and about the breed and how it can help others some are going to be involved in agriculture as their career some of them are not but to have background in this is still helpful just raising your own family so it's a great opportunity for kids to learn tremendous things about agriculture it's really part of feeling connected with people all over the North America to us the Shorthorn breed has met family really it's what has kept our family cloves kept our family active through our my whole childhood and as I've grown up whenever you can be successful in anything in life pass milestones that is huge for growing our youth and giving them confidence that they can be successful long-term in their lives up next you know we need to have cattle that worked once carried to the kids and I know a lot of guys can maybe relate to that you know they want to be able to take them to somebody's operation to be able to say hey I want to walk up to that fence and be able to see that animal and that's what your horns do see why many American families are selecting short horns for their farms and ranches that's after the break on the American Rancher stay with us when your cattle are stressed they're not eating they're not gaining and they're certainly not healthy or comfortable vitae charge from the makers of vitae firm protects and helps livestock recover from the effects of stress use it at weaning shipping receiving or any time your livestock will encounter stress as a proactive measure to increase appetite and promote health and performance vitae charge protect and recover to learn more visit vita firm comm what makes me so proud of 44 farms is teamwork within our own organization but also the vast teamwork of producers throughout the United States and have come together to build a great feeder cat program for both the 44 farms never-ever program and the new pride pursuits programs and partnership with Walmart please give us a call because we believe that together we can do great things and the best is yet to be in 1994 superior livestock action introduced nationally recognized value-added programs to the American beef industry now cattle sold on superior livestock video auctions get top dollar when a program is behind them the USDA approved third-party audited superior verified program verified source and age of your calves superior progressive genetics identifies loaded lots of cattle sold on superior that are sired by top genetics NH TC verifies the source age and non hormone treatment status of your calves these and other superior value-added programs are just another way that superior livestock is improving the beef industry and bringing more dollars to your bottom line individual program started just a dollar twenty two per hundred so you can't make any money any faster than invested three dollars and getting forty sixty seventy dollars back call or go online to find out more about superior livestock's value-added programs [Music] welcome back to the American Rancher with the short horn breed its families first because of their superior disposition Shorthorn cattle appealed to families who want the next generation to continue on the land by producing the highest quality beef possible the American Shorthorn Association offers one of the industry's best junior programs that provides exceptional showring educational and professional development experiences the breeds focus on families opens the doors of opportunity for all generations in both large and small operations you know we need to have cattle that weren't aren't scary to the kids and I know a lot of guys can maybe relate to that in the cattle industry and and also guys that don't raise animals you know they want to be able to take them to somebody's operation and be able to say hey I want to walk up to that fence and be able to see that animal and that's what your horns do you know we're their cattle that are docile that anybody across the country can come and see I think shorn are an ideal in terms of being a match in terms of being a family-friendly breed we know they're easy to work with their sire they're damn are easygoing cattle and their relatives are and and people can see that we want them to come and see and interact with the animals as we do every day if they can because said I think it's a really good selling point for the cattle yeah as you can see as we walk to these cattle they're they're super quiet and easy to work with it makes it nice when you're AI and cattle or or having to work them you know nobody's getting hurt and all the issues no problems truly find the value in the cattle in terms of their maternal ability their marbling ability their docility and the marketability of them really in our world it's something that we can sell in many facets and you know they're going to lay down have calves raise calves mother I'm take care of them produce heavy calves at weaning but secondly when you take those cattle out and whether you use them in the seed stock application and go that way with producing the show heifers or show cattle you can do that to an advantage to yourself or those cattle also will grow up if you take them on the commercial side they're going to have adequate marbling and then also have be very high cut ability kind of cows so they're very productive in the feed yard as well and also that the show cattle realm of it people can have a nice small herd of cattle that doesn't overwhelm them yet they can raise some cattle not only maybe their kids can show them themselves but they can also market some progeny the short horn you know exactly when it came in what if I was gonna act you know I was gonna be that docile cow it was gonna be good for the younger kids to show I am the oldest of five kids and we had luck but bunch of little kids come in and it was just nice to happen know that we could rely on that breed to be here to be docile for a kid to show and you could take a couple weeks and they'd be so ready and I was not comparable to any other breed well we got to spend a lot of family time together usually every evening we're working on the cattle and enjoying kids running around and getting a show I'm meeting new friends and families across the country showing well I love doing it with my family because they're really nice people and I like to work with them because they're really funny and nice and it's just a great experience with them the American Junior Shorthorn Association is a great opportunity for kids to get involved in agriculture and in the show cattle side of things and learn all the valuable lessons that come with raising cattle whether it's responsibility work ethic teamwork the learning about taking care of cattle but hopefully furthering their interest and desire to continue to stay in the cattle business whatever your goals are in life you know the Americans you National Association puts you in situations that that helps you succeed I know a lot of good friends around that have gone to multiple junior national shows and they say that the Shorthorn breed the short horn people are without a doubt the friendliest people and that the you know the most the easiest people to get along with they've they've been around there's some outstanding people on this breed that work very hard are very dedicated to improving it but maintaining its strengths as well and continuing to see it girl you know we have so many things going on in our lives every day and when I can enjoy just walking amongst the cattle knowing that they're providing for our family and working with us as a partnership you know what we do every day that's that's fun and it's a piece every day when you can go out and Hmong stuff when we return there's no question adding in the feed intake and strengthening the carcass data that they have will really help move the show harm breed forward see how investments in research are creating a bright future for the Shorthorn breed you're watching the American Rancher stay with us you're looking for livestock equipment whether it be permanent or portable call Ackerman distributing at one eight hundred seven two six nine zero nine one they are number one in the nation with portable wheel krills also handled portable tubs and portable alleys double Ali's loading chutes manual chutes hydraulic chutes Ackerman distributing comm one eight hundred seven two six nine zero nine one take control of current market conditions on superior livestock's weekly video auction register your lot load cattle by Tuesday selim on Thursday putting you two days from money with the largest cattle marketing network in North America superior livestock's weekly video auction has over eight thousand active and qualified buyers and they're paying top dollar and jump in the bidding is hot call us or click superior livestock calm to learn more superior livestock auction now offers a monthly hosting sphere and dairy video auction with the largest number registered and active buyers in the nation superior livestock auction is your source for lightweight dairy influence calves sellers enjoy proven price discovery that pays top dollar buyers get access to high volume and steady supply and everyone appreciates superiors trusted experience in national livestock marketing go online at superior livestock calm register and to find out more show the world that you ranch the superior way with apparel hats and other merchandise from the superior online store whether you're looking for a gift or something for yourself the only place to find official superior livestock branded apparel is at superior livestock store calm the online store features name brands such as Port Authority clique and dried up hats jackets shirts best gloves coolers and much more are just a click away order today [Music] welcome back to the American rancher according to data from the u.s. meat animal research center Shorthorns ranked first among British and maternal breeds for yield great fat cover and percent retail product that means Shorthorns offer a unique combination of muscling marbling and maternal traits something few other breeds possess the University of Illinois is conducting a three-year national sire test for the American Shorthorn Association laying a foundation of data from conception to carcass a big part of that research is to identify genetics that use fewer resources to produce more pounds of high-quality sustainably produce beef our journey takes us to Champaign today we were on the campus of the University of Illinois for our National Shorthorn sire test field day we do our national sire test through the University where we take Shorthorn bulls breed them to commercial black hided cows and collect complete performance data from birth all the way to carcass on these cattle one of the the neat aspects of this project and our capabilities here is that we can collect individual feed intake so we have the grow safe feeding system that allows us to get individual feed intake and a pin setting and so not only do we have your typical traits birth weight weaning weigh yearling weight but we also have feed intake which then allows us to calculate a feed efficiency then we'll get a full set of carcass data on these obviously this project was really put in place to help the Shorthorn Association get more data and particularly on the feed intake and the carcass data that really allows them to build their database and hopefully be able to have a feed intake epd for the breeders to use and whether you know then can be implemented into a selection index so really in some case it kind of helps document what the breeders already knew that they have cattle out there that that perform really well and they have excellent carcass traits and just get some numbers behind what some of these bulls and what some of the breeders known their genetics and do short horn cattle are very a very unique breed they can combine a lot of qualities that are beneficial not only to the commercial cattlemen but the people that raise them are obviously very proud and know what these cattle can do they're very strong maternally there they make good cows they can stay in the herd a long time docility is a huge selling point of the breed you know with the the short run cattle have done really well the calves done assisted birth weights and gestation links have been right in line with with our Angus sired cattle and that first set of cattle there last year I think 87 percent win choice did really well there's no question adding in the feed intake and strengthening the carcass data that they have will really help move the Shorthorn breed forward I think the short horn breed has a has a bright future I think the more work and research and information we can gather on these cattle to prove their viability to the industry we can we can start to develop a stronger market for Shorthorn genetics on in the commercial industry there's there's a demand right now looking for an alternative to some of the black hi to breeds out there that are so popular crossbreeding and taking advantage of heterosis whether it's just in your feeder calves or in replacement females is something that more and more commercial cattlemen seem to be looking for and the short horn breed certainly offers that [Music] the short horn story is America's story that began over two centuries ago it continues today and its future is secure thanks to short horn breeders who have focused their efforts on raising cattle with balanced rates and on giving the next generation a pathway to even greater opportunities with short horn cattle production the breed delivers an impressive array of profit traits and offers a high-quality sustainable beef supply to the consumer for more information about short horn cattle visit Shorthorn org and for more information about us visit us online at the American ranch or calm or connect with us on Facebook we'd love to hear from you I'm Pam Minich for the entire American Rancher team thanks for joining us we'll see you next time [Music] [Applause] [Music] that was superior

Channel: Superior Productions

Views: 2,661

Rating: 4.8709679 out of 5

Keywords:

Id: F47ABztYdaI

Length: 25min 2sec (1502 seconds)

Published: Fri Nov 01 2019