Bowman's Abernethy

To highlight the rapidly expanding genetic base of Heritage Shorthorns throughout the USA & Canada, the Heritage Shorthorn Society (HSS) has a new website page called "Calf of the Month".  A variety of calves recently sired by quality Heritage Shorthorn bulls from the 1960-1980 time period will be featured on the HSS website (www.heritageshorthorn.org).  The first calf featured is sired by by Bowman's Abernethy (yes it is spelled with an e).  Bowman's Abernethy was used by the Kiblers in Washington and traces back to the old Grain Belt herd in Washington.

Heritage Shorthorn breeders are now producing calves from many of the best bulls from the the 1960-1980 time period rather than letting the semen of these bulls just sit in a few individual's semen tanks.  Shorthorn enthusiasts would be surprised with the options now available through Heritage Shorthorn breeders to access rare Shorthorn genetics that can have a "hybrid vigor affect" on Modern Shorthorns-the possibilities are endless.  If you are interested in the genetics of a particular old Shorthorn bull a free Cattle Wanted or Semen Wanted ad can be placed on the HSS website to potentially put you in contact with a Heritage Shorthorn breeder using those genetics.

I found it interesting when looking at Bowman's Abernethy's pedigree that he had Apsi Lady 2nd as a grandam. She was also in the pedigree of a bull we purchased in 1969, Rothney Charles. He was a good bull for the times but his offspring would not have had the performance of today's Shorthorns. I do not see Bowman's Abernethy on the verified list, how does that list work?

Bowman's Abernethy was just recently approved for Verified Heritage status.  He has been added to the Verified list.  The Verified list is comprised of Shorthorn bulls (starting in the 1950's) that have gone through a vetting process that documents that all the ancestors in their pedigree are 100% full Shorthorn by pedigree tracing to the original Coates herd book of 1822.  No known outside blood has been added, by pedigree.  A Shorthorn breeder does not have to be a member of the Heritage Shorthorn Society to have a Shorthorn bull verified as Heritage.  Heritage status is equivalent to what AMSS calls native.