There is a new article in the “Cattle Viewpoints” section— Raising Shorthorns for Working Oxen, a Growing Niche Market. This article by Gregory Mitchell highlights this important market, especially if you are producing horned calves.
The “Spotlight on Members” features a different HSS member each quarter. Check out the latest article about Wally Klose of Diamond K Shorthorns in Montana. Many of you may already know Wally, because he is a long time Shorthorn breeder. He always enjoys discussions with other Shorthorn breeders about bulls that have been popular over the last 40-50 years.
If any of you have previously contacted the heritage-cattle.com website about adding your ranch/farm to their listing for Heritage Shorthorns and received a discouraging reply, please try again. I have discussed with Donna Grace, who started that website, how she decides who to list under the various heritage breed categories. In the interest of providing more information to the viewers on her website who are looking for various heritage cattle, she is willing to list all Heritage Shorthorn breeders who contact her with their information.
Due to an increase in questions coming to the HSS office about health and genetic issues, we feel it’s appropriate to help clarify two previously discussed, potential issues in Shorthorn cattle:
1. Growing interest in Heritage Shorthorn family milk cows has resulted in more testing for specific diseases. While Johne’s Disease was previously seen mainly as a diary cattle problem, it currently is an expanding problem in all cattle. Unfortunately Heritage Shorthorns are no exception. There is confusion about testing, so HSS put the question to an expert at johnes.org. Dr. Michael T. Collins, veterinarian and Johne’s expert, sent the following reply “There is limited value in testing cattle under 2 years old. A positive test is meaningful but the rate of false-negative tests is high because the disease is so chronic and slowly progressive that young animals have not had time for the infection to advance to a stage that is detectable by today’s diagnostic tests.” Heritage Shorthorn buyers need to ask sellers if they have a Johne’s testing program in place and whether they have ever had a positive test. Negative tests in young animals under 2 years of age do not mean much, so it’s advisable to do repeat testing of cattle, even after an initial negative test result. Please note that cows shedding the Johne’s organism in their feces may contaminate your property, and therefore put all your young cattle at risk for gradually contracting this disease.
2. The second issue that HSS has been fielding questions on is Myostatin (double muscling). A recent post on a major cattle forum indicated the presence of the F94L double muscling gene in at least one Heritage Shorthorn bull and his offspring. On the “Purchase Guidelines” Page, HSS has always recommended Myostatin testing. While some beef operations consider the F94L gene to be positive in the heterozygous condition, it is always best to know the status of this gene up front, rather than be shocked when it starts popping up in the homozygous state as dystocias and other serious issues. Unfortunately not all Heritage Shorthorn breeders are testing their herds.