Speaking of Fear Factor, and Sonny offspring, I remember attending the 2003 NAILE and being impressed by a number of Shorthorn females. That year there were a number of Trumps and CF Fortunes (Improver 57 x Rose t90) being shown. Sitting in the stands I could not believe the uniformity and style of the Sonny females. I walked down to where the cattle were waiting to enter the ring in order to get a closer look. The Trumps all seemed very tall, and the Fortunes stood very staight over their front ends (i felt it was odd at the time...post legged maybe...curious if anyone else saw the same thing). The Sonny's were as close to perfect and consistent as I have seen in half sisters at a show; even half sisters from different herds. (side note, I do not own Sonny semen, calves, embryos, or have any financial connection) There was a female named DJS Cherri 205 that was phenomenal, and ended up winning Supreme Champion. I'm not sure there has been a more impressive female at that age since!!! (She's a full brother to Churchill and 3/4 brother to DJS Prestige) Dark cherry red, thick, correct, feminine, etc. I haven't seen too many Fear Factor calves...personally I thought he was a bit large framed, but I felt his sire, Sonny, has produced much more well rounded offspring than his grand sire, Trump, considering the cattle I have seen over the last ten years. (imo)
The beauty of this discussion is that there truly are a lot of different genetics in the shorthorn breed. The Canadian Shorthorns are very interesting, and provide an opportunity for inter-breed hybrid vigor considering the outcross potential. I have thought that we'd see more of this in the lower 48 Shorthorns due to Einmore Gus 80c, the Saskvalley bulls, the Alta Cedar bulls, Glenford bulls, Shadybrook, Uluru, and Horseshoe Creeks donor program and bull sales, forgive me to the rest of the outstanding Canadian Cattlemen i've left out. There was a bull named Fantasy Lane Toby sired by Spry's True Blue (who's australian and sired by the American bull JR Legend from JR Ranch in Othella, Washington) that has a picture in the March 2009 issue of Shorthorn Country. He looks amazing in phenotype, has an outcross pedigree, and is touted as a calving ease bull. It seems like we're on the verge of something different, but I'm not sure what that is just yet. Don't you love raising cattle! Good luck!