Shorthorns

I am and always have been a fan of shorthorns, but I find it difficult to embrace the breed and breeders when everything is owned by the same big 3-5. The genetic opportunities are limited and everything is related. with that being said I have noticed at a few sales (only what I have seen) that prices are down on shorthorns. Has anyone else noticed this?  I thought about capitalizing on some reasonably priced females until I realized there is not to much in the way of outcross genetics available to use. outside of trump lines the only 3 quality outcross bulls to use are captain obvious, ace of diamonds, and jpj. Sullivan seems to be doing well but offers little to the public which can turn some off to the breed. just wondering what others thought

look harder  lot of "quality"unrelated genetics out there   I was going to say especially north of the border but there are lots of breeder in the states that product a quality product without the Trump bloodlines.

Look hard enough and you'll find some "outside" genetics. I would strongly suggest heading north.

You are not that far from us and there are genetics in the states but if you look at show catalogs and read the Shorthorn Journal you will definitely see a common thread. If you truly want to investigate outside the common show cattle Lakeside is not far from you. Sue knows what's available with in your immediate area and travels around US more than anyone I know.

bryan6807 said:

I am and always have been a fan of shorthorns, but I find it difficult to embrace the breed and breeders when everything is owned by the same big 3-5. The genetic opportunities are limited and everything is related. with that being said I have noticed at a few sales (only what I have seen) that prices are down on shorthorns. Has anyone else noticed this?  I thought about capitalizing on some reasonably priced females until I realized there is not to much in the way of outcross genetics available to use. outside of trump lines the only 3 quality outcross bulls to use are captain obvious, ace of diamonds, and jpj. Sullivan seems to be doing well but offers little to the public which can turn some off to the breed. just wondering what others thought

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I have read your post a number of time and I am not sure of your question.
Are you asking if anyone else has noticed that the prices are down on shorthorns, or are you asking if anyone else has noticed that genetic opportunities are limited?
If it is the first question then I can't provide you with any help right now.  Our bull sale is April 5, 2012.  I can let you know about a month from now how bull sales in Western Canada were this spring.  If it is the second then I would suggest that you look harder.  If you want to find outcross genetics they are easy to find in Canada, and I'm sure there are breeders in the states that have not followed the crowd.  These types of breeders often don't advertise as much as they probably should (we are guilty as charged).  They are probably a little more laid back and may even feel self conscious about tooting their own horn.  But once you find them, they are usually great people to deal with.

I can hardly believe someone would comment that it is hard to find outcross genetics in the Shorthorn breed. Spend a night or two and use our friend Google to tour some Shorthorn herds. I have heard this comment before, and quite franklly, there are more sources of outcross genetics than any person could ever use. Just being outcross is not enough so sort through them carefully, but I would say there are some outstanding outcross genetics available. Like has been mentioned, there are lots in Canada but there are also lots in the US. You just have to do some homework and find them. PM me and I will give you a few places to start. There are a bunch of Shorthorn breeders on here that have good outcross genetics so maybe they will send you a PM as well.

I'm going to second all the comments here that most of the truly different genetics are not advertised near as much as they ought to be!  Hopefully some of those breeders will read this thread and get their name out there a little more!

Lakeside Farms, Sneed Shorthorns, Meadow Lane, Lovings, Leveldale, Peakview, Trevor Grey, Lauer, Kaper, JDMC, Studer, Betteridge, Koulee, Vaith.  These are a few programs that come to mind and these are all in the lower 48.

Outcross is my thing! 
Come visit when you get the chance!  or check the web:  www.fordfamilyshorthorns.com
The other folks posting on here are right-- a lot of the outcross and non-traditional breeders are smaller and sometimes harder to find-- but boy are they worth the effort! 
Get a List from the ASA website of all registered members-- there are a lot of smaller farms listed there that you won't see ads for in the typical magazines or papers. 

;DHad to get a plug in there!
LOL
Emily

aandtcattle said:

Lakeside Farms, Sneed Shorthorns, Meadow Lane, Lovings, Leveldale, Peakview, Trevor Grey, Lauer, Kaper, JDMC, Studer, Betteridge, Koulee, Vaith.  These are a few programs that come to mind and these are all in the lower 48.

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I might check out A & T also.  (thumbsup)

Thank you all for the input. Big thanks to those who sent links or the names of breeders helping to narrow the search down ( I do not have a ton of time to search google between working 2 jobs amongst other things) I have seen a few bulls advertised from Canada but I have a hard time investing in them when I have not seen the progeny. maybe I will make an attempt to shop a little harder. thanks again

Good luck on your search for Shorthorns that are different with quality; you are sure to find what you are needing.  My only suggestion is to find a balance of all traits- both on paper and on the hoof.  There are lots of breeders out there that know it is one's responsibility to measure their cattle and submit the data to the breed association.  Extreme traits of any kind cannot move the mean line on the bell-shaped curve in order to make total genetic progression as an entire breed. 

Check Irish Acres,WO Shorthorns Limos,and they will relay you to probably 30 small breeders in Iowa that have had a major influence on the breed  and are outcross now-just as they have been for 25 years-and this is just in Iowa ans Minn. O0

You can come down here to my place and buy 2 really good 3/4 shorthorn heifers sired by 329 for 2 grand apiece. They are not related to anything mainstream. One comes from a red angus cow, the other a black angus cow. Facebook....Trevor Grey Cattle Company to see pictures of them last fall. I no longer have a camera so I have yet to get new photos. Just a suggestion. I thought I would put it out there.

If you dont like mine, I have some other ideas of where you may find something good. PM me or call my number listed here.
Private Treaty II Sale. <rock> Listed in classifieds. Check it out.