Why Milking Shorthorns? The reasons are many!
GRAZING EFFICIENCY
Milking Shorthorn cattle are continuing to increase in production and popularity as a recognized dairy breed.
Ease of management and calving ease are two aspects of Milking Shorthorns that breeders rank highly. Lower
veterinarian bills and longevity are also noted by dairymen. Mature Milking Shorthorns average over 15,000
pounds of milk, 500 pounds of fat and 465 pounds of protein. The Milking Shorthorn breed is noted for its high
protein to fat ratio which is increasingly desirable in milk marketing today.
Even your neighbors will remark about the non-generic, beautifully colored red, white and roan Milking
Shorthorn cows grazing on the green grass. You will love their gentle dispositions - such an asset when working
with cattle in pastures, lanes and unsophisticated milking parlors. Best of all, the Milking Shorthorns' hardy,
trouble-free attributes will give you that extra time for family and other pursuits.
Even though most present-day Milking Shorthorn breeders are specialists in the production of milk, there is still
an unbroken legacy carried over from the time the breed was widely recognized as general farm cattle that were
expected to efficiently convert roughages, including grass, into milk. Grazing for Milking Shorthorns is as
natural as roosting is to a hen!
PRODUCTION POTENTIAL
Milking Shorthorns are competitive milk producers. In a program designed to continually improve the milk
producing capabilities of the Milking Shorthorn cow while retaining her overall economic advantages,
Australian Illawarra Shorthorn, North American Red Holstein and Norwegian Red bloodlines have been
introduced in varying degrees to a large portion of the breed.
A large number of modern Milking Shorthorns produce in excess of 20,000 pounds of milk in 305 days while
still maintaining industry-leading statistics for health and fertility traits as well as lower than average inbreeding
rates due to a diverse, open herdbook.
DISEASE RESISTANCE
Milking Shorthorns are relatively trouble-free, leaving you more time to manage your paddocks. In an extensive
study done over a 13-year period on an Idaho dairy owned by a veterinarian, it was found that under the same
management conditions, Milking Shorthorns were significantly less prone to disease, particularly in the areas of
lameness, mastitis, dystocia and milk fever, than their Holstein herdmates. (Paper presented at the 1995 World
Shorthorn Conference by Dr. Martin R. Lee, Jerome, Idaho.)
CALVING EASE AND CALVING INTERVAL
Milking Shorthorn cows are moderately framed and have comparatively small calves that are vigorous at birth
and easy to raise. These hardy cows recover quickly and are in condition to rebreed earlier. The 1995 Minnesota
DHIA data showed Milking Shorthorn cows with the shortest calving interval of any breed - 12.8 months! The
right breed for seasonal grazing operations.
MILK QUALITY
Milking Shorthorn milk can be worth more. On a recent USDA Sire Summary, Milking Shorthorns were listed
with the lowest base Somatic Cell score of all dairy breeds, indicating the possibility of an increased resistance
to mastitis which is consistent with the Idaho study. In addition, Milking Shorthorn milk has the most favorable
protein-fat ratio of the dairy breeds which is an added plus when marketing your milk for cheese.