Classic Bulls, J to Z

Prominent Heritage (Native) Shorthorn Bulls Born 1950 to 1985

To help familiarize people with the genetic background of Modern Shorthorns, the Heritage Shorthorn Society is furnishing brief summaries, pictures, and pedigree links of many of the important Heritage Shorthorn bulls that were born between 1950 and 1985.  Early research utilizing frozen semen in cattle breeding took place in the 1930’s and 1940’s but became more accessible to cattle breeders after 1950.  Semen is still available on most of the bulls listed below; however HSS is not aware of any Shorthorn semen produced before 1950 that is available today.  (Additional bulls from the "Classic" period may be added over time.)   Information on more recent bulls (born after 1985) is readily available from various sources.

For those who are Shorthorn history buffs there is much more information available on these bulls through many of the books listed on our Book Reference Page,  old “Shorthorn World” magazines (many of which can be accessed through Google),  "Steer Planet" website key word searches, and/or direct internet searches.  Information and pictures on additional bulls are also posted on the Shorthorn Select Genetics Website in the Reference Bulls section.

Information on individual bulls is posted alphabetically below, after the index.  The tan registration numbers in the bull information write ups are clickable links to ASA pedigrees. All of these “Classic” Bulls are Verified Heritage.

The pictures of the "classic" bulls in these write-ups vary in clarity because the original photos were often small &/or of poor quality.

The JAF Major Duke 78 dam came from the famous Wexvale herd that was strong in all Dual Purpose Shorthorn characteristics.  His sire, Thornwood Major had a significant impact on the Shorthorn breed.  JAF Major Duke 78 was the senior sire at the Woodside herd in Pennsylvania for several years producing many winning show and sale Shorthorns.

R. W. Parrott of Woonsocket, South Dakota was the breeder of JPL Cavalier 8th. His sire, JPL Cavalier, was a popular bull in the early seventies and used extensively by Melbourne Farms. JPL Cavalier 8th’s thick muscularity was seen in his offspring. A picture of JPL Cavalier 8th was used in a promotional mat.

He was sired by the famed Clipper King of Bapton bull who reached the unheard weight of over 2600# at the time.  Clipper Duke was a popular bull in the late 60’s because of movement to a larger Shorthorn.

Kenmar Leader 13B has a fascinating pedigree that brings together much of the great older Shorthorn genetics with his sire being Kinnaber Leader 9th and his dam a daughter of Pleasant Dawn Seal 2nd.  Leader 13B was a large bull.  The Kenmar herd was owned by Harvey Fulton & Sons of Birtle, Manitoba Canada.  It was one of the most famous historic Shorthorn herds in all of Canada producing many influential Shorthorn sires.

Kenmar President 26A (Maxi-Brute) is another Kinnaber Leader 9th son.  Maxi-Brute’s dam, Kenmar Mayflower 14V, is one of the most famous Shorthorn cows in all of Canada.  Her style and structure have made some say she was a powerful cow that would be cloned if she was alive today.  He was promoted as a muscle bull with a large ribeye.  His popularity as a potential breeding sire is high even today. 

Kenmar Ranom 32Z sire, Pleasant Dawn Seal 2nd, was an exceptional beef bull who went to be a part of the ABS Shorthorn bull battery. 32Z, also know as Tank for obvious reasons, was Canadian bred but eventually purchased by Questing Hills. He had a long career as he was used in many herds to upgrade and return to viable beef production.

Kinnaber Leader 6th is a Canadian bred bull.  He is a full brother to Kinnaber Leader 9th.  There has been considerable debate about whether Leader 6th or Leader 9th was the better bull.  Leader 6th has had a continuing impact on beef Shorthorns, including current Shorthorns, through his sons.  

A really important bull in the development of modern Shorthorns was Kinnaber Leader 9th  Bred by Bob & Wayne Gordon of Souris, Manitoba Canada he was nick named “Big Gene” after Gene McDonald who was a representative of Shorthorn Country and an American Shorthorn Association field representative who loved the bull for his growth.  Several bulls in this section are either sired by the 9th or have him in their pedigree.  The docility, calving ease, and marbling of his offspring are excellent.

Laplata Stronghold brings together the best of the Shorthorn breed. His sire, Melbros Stronghold, was an award winning “Certified Meat Sire” and his dam was a double bred Meadowbrook Chieftain 9th daughter. He was bred by Rudy Griess of Sutton, Nebraska who owned La Plata Shorthorns. Later he was also used by Reuben Schantz of Beemer, Nebraska.

Leveldale Princeps was produced by the Leveldale herd of Illinois, and he was the 1959 International Champion Shorthorn bull. He topped a Leveldale production sale at $7000 to Elmcrest Farms, Illinois. His sire, Leveldale Basis, sold for the record price of $35,000.00 (over$150,000.00 in today’s dollars), and Basis was the sire or grandsire of multiple champion bulls and cows in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Princeps was similar to the type that was popular at that time—somewhat compact, although he was described as “sizable and rugged”.

A son of the famous Par Defender bull, Lilac Par 18th is one the most famous and popular bulls from Haumont’s. Par 18th has many famous offspring with sons being used throughout the USA. He was a thick rugged bull that encapsulated many of the old Shorthorn genetics breeders are looking for today.

Lone Pine Grand Society was an Australian bull.  He was bred by Lone Pines Shorthorns who made significant contributions to the development of many Shorthorn herds including the famous Mandalong Stud. He was brought to the USA by ABS (American Breeders Service). The Lone Pine prefix in Australia is now owned by Spry’s Shorthorns of Australia.

Mandalong Super Elephant was the Supreme Champion Polled Shorthorn Bull at the 1973 Sydney Royal Easter Show--Australia’s most prestigious Shorthorn Show.  His mature weight was 2735# so he was quite a large bull.  He was used extensively in both the USA and Canada during the 70’s.  His pedigree in many ways complements that of Mandalong Super Flag.  Several Super Elephant sons were used as herd sires in Canada and the USA.

Mandalong Super Flag was probably the greatest bull ever to migrate to Canada from Australia.  His influence on Canadian Shorthorn genetics is unparalleled and is demonstrated by how many Canadian Shorthorns have Flag multiple times in their pedigrees.  He was purchased as a 8 month old calf by Dr. G. Carter of Alberta, Canada from Mr. Rick Pisaturo who owned Mandalong Stud in Australia.  As a two year old Flag was shown at The National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado where he was named Supreme Champion Shorthorn—an accomplishment no other foreign bull has ever had.  Because of his size, smoothness, and the quality of his offspring he was a game changer in North American Shorthorn genetics.  He was a bull ahead of his time.  Recently (December, 2016) we had a chance to spend 2 days with Rick Pisaturo.  It was fascinating to listen to him describe the evolvement of Shorthorns in Australia and how he developed Mandalong Shorthorns.  Talk about a history lesson.  He is still “sharp as a tack” at 94.

Manitoba Sunrise’s sire, Crestdale Super Flag, was the Grand Champion Beef Shorthorn Bull at the World Shorthorn Congress in Calgary, Manitoba in 1980. He had previously sold for $41,500. Manitoba Sunrise was bred by William Acheson of Somerset, Manitoba. He was sold to Lynn Ewald, Fair Acres Stock Farm, Waldorf, Minnesota. Manitoba Sunrise had a successful show career and has sired some excellent offspring that have very successful in their own right.

Maxton Bold Crusader was the Grand Champion Dual Purpose bull and high seller at the 1980 World Shorthorn Congress in Calgary, Manitoba. He was consigned by David Spalton of Derbyshire, England. He was purchased by Sanford Farms, Meadowvale, Ontario. His dam had a milk record of over 16,000 pounds which was high for a Dual Purpose cow. He was used extensively in Canada and the USA.

Meadowbrook Chief 2nd

Registr. ASA # 3662407 Birth Date: 03/9/1977

Sire: MEADOWBROOK CHIEFTAIN 9TH ASA # 3540863

Dam: Meriville Saga Susan Bee 4 ASA # sx3659267

Chief 2nd was a great son of the famous Meadowbrook Chieftain 9th bull. Chief 2nd was purchased by the Windholme herd of Virginia where he was the main herd bull for several years. Chief’s daughters were excellent milkers in the true tradition of the Meadowbrook herd. Chief 2nd was well known for the daughters he produced.

Meadowbrook Chieftain 9th daughters were extremely popular in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s because of their quality udders and milking ability.  His dam, Meadowbrook Lassie 3D was the prototypical Shorthorn cow.  The Clarence Forgey Meadowbrook herd was truly Dual Purpose with some Meadowbrook steers winning carcass championships in Indiana.  A search of native Shorthorn pedigrees will quickly show the influence of Chieftain 9th.

Prince 16th comes from the popular Meadowbrook herd with his dam, Wexvale Pride’s Princess also the dam of Meadowbrook White Cloud 4th.  She was a large cow that was very complete.  Prince’s grand dam, Lakeside Princess 4th was probably the most influential cow in the famed Wexvale herd.

Melbros Stronghold, otherwise known as “Champagne”,  was a Certified Meat Sire and Sire of the Year in Shorthorns.  His offspring won National Championships in the showing and in carcass contests.  He was the most complete accepted Dual Purpose bull in the breed during the early 1970’s.  His daughters were very thick and fleshy.  He was used extensively in the Windholme herd in Virginia.

American Breeders Service (ABS) imported Merriwong Smuggler from Australia for  semen sales. The Merriwong herd in Australia was very well known and some of their Shorthorns were used in the foundation of the Mandalong Shorthorn herd.  Smuggler was not a large bull but he was balanced.  His pedigree dovetails with many of the better Australian genetics of the time.

Mollie’s Defender Adair, nicknamed “Surge”, was Supreme Champion bull at the Polled Congress in the early 1980’s.  He sold for $18,500 which was a high price at the time.  He had large body mass with excellent muscling in a frame size that compliments the needs of today’s Shorthorn breeder.

Mr. Minot was another Graham Land Livestock bull. His sire, Spiro, was famous for his award winning ribeye measurements while his dam, Miss Springfield was National Champion heifer. He had a weaning weight of 757# and sold for $7000 at the Graham’s dispersal sale in 1975. He was purchased and then promoted by Clarence John & Sons of Cottonwood, Minnesota. Mr. Minot was a true Dual Purpose bull.

Nelco Mcleod was a long bodied, well muscled bull who produced excellent females.  His dam, Nelco Stella’s Missie 3rd, embodied many of the traits today's Shorthorn breeders are trying to bring back.  She was large volumed with a very feminine look.

Nodak King’s Tradition from the Schlekewy Milking Shorthorn herd in North Dakota. He was purchased by Carvin & Gerald Guy of Velden, South Dakota who owned the Hilltop Ranch. Nodak King’s Tradition went on to sire 2 National Champion bulls, one being Hilltop Lanncer 457. He also sired one National Champion Cow. Nodaks King’s Tradition was a very popular bull in the Shorthorn breed in the early 70’s. His daughters were robust with a lot of depth.

Oak Hill Secretariat

Registr. # 3649497 Birth Date: 1977

Sire: Oak Hill Futurama 74TH ASA # 3596808
Dam: Oak Hill Irma 75 ASA # x3605373

Oak Hill Secretariat traces on the sire side to Cheapside Betty who is undoubtedly the most famous cow to come out of the Cheapside Milking Shorthorns in Canada. On the dam side he traces to Scottshill Major Clark. Secretariat definitely trends to the dairy side of Dual Purpose Shorthorns. He was raised by Steve Torgeson of Austin, Minnesota then sold to Lazy D’s in Missouri.

Oakwood Conductor was a double bred son of the 1955 International Grand Champion Shorthorn bull. He was purchased at Oakwood dispersal sale for $3500.00 and went on to become one of the first 3 bulls to be a PRI Certified Meat Sire—a testament to his positive beef qualities.

Pleasant Dawn Seal 2nd was bred by Lloyd Hatch of Manitoba Canada.  The Hatch herd was undoubtedly one of the best Shorthorn cow herds in all of Canada for many years.  Seal 2nd was leased for many years to American Breeders Service (ABS).  He was so popular as a sire that there is almost no semen left on him.  His daughters were tremendous brood cows.

He was a heavily muscled bull for the time with a frame to match.   He was used extensively in the Stout herd in Oklahoma.  Par ’71 also was well balanced and produced many good females. He traced to Haumont breeding.

Remitall Choice Mint came from the Louis Latimer herd in Olds, Alberta, Canada. He was considered a large bull at the time, over 2300#, and was purchased by the McIver Bros. of Farwell, Minnesota at 1968 Remitall sale. His progeny were used both in Canada and the USA. An interesting side note is that Remitall is L. Latimer spelled backwards.

Ridgewood Tracy was produced by Orval Williams & Son of Odessa, Missouri. He was purchased by the Mysha herd (Norman & Marcia Shaver) and was shown extensively. He weighed over 2700# with structural correctness. He was a true Dual Purpose bull who was used in both beef and dairy Shorthorn herds.

Roan Harvest Duke was bred at Gustafson’s Wexvale herd.  Duke comes more from the dairy side of Dual Purpose Shorthorns.  He has an interesting pedigree that traces to some outstanding old Shorthorn cow families.  He was a bull that was safe to use on heifers.

Rosa’s Commands 05

Registr. #4105871 Birth Date: 3/31/2005

Sire:    PROMISE M COMMAND 97   # 3976776

  Dam:     ROSABELL 302ND    # 3991129

Rosa’s Commands was a very thick bull as shown in his picture.  He is linebred which makes him a strict outcross for many other Heritage “Native” Shorthorns.  He was used successfully for many years in the Hidden Hill Farm Shorthorns in both their purebred operation and in their custom meat program.  He was a Dual Purpose bull.

Scottshill Major Clark was the Junior and Grand Champion bull at the 1965 All American Dairy Show. He is the sire of Clark, Columbus, Thornwood Major, and Spiro.   Through his sons he has had a tremendous impact on the Shorthorn industry, especially Heritage Shorthorn.

Smallflower Leader 2nd was a large polled bull (over 3000#) that was raised by W. J. Small & Sons of Canada. He was purchased by KABSU and John Teagardin. The Kansas State Beef Program used him in beef trials and he was used extensively by Leonard Bingham in his breeding program. Smallflower was a “rugged bull” that contrasted in both size and scale with most of the his contemporaries.

Spiro is a Graham Land & Livestock Co. bull that is a son of Scottshill Major Clark.  Spiro is the sire of such famous bulls as GX Spiro’s Plumber 528X and Mr. Minot.  He also sired two National Champion females.  Spiro’s nickname was Muscle Man because of his record setting rib eye measurements.  He was an extremely popular bull in his time and was used by a large number of Shorthorn breeders.

Spruce Hill Image was a white bull that goes back to Canadian Image and Hillview Hobo on his sire’s side and Par Defender on his dam side.  He was a tall bull by most standards, but was a very popular bull for his time.  He is useful in a Dual Purpose Shorthorn breeding program to blend adequate size with other genetic characteristics.

TCC Chinook sired a National Champion cow and has one of the best pedigrees in the Shorthorn breed. On the sire side he traces to Columbus and his dam, Thornwood Royal Teri, was a long lived productive cow that was the dam of many show winners including the famous Miss Springfield. Chinook a smooth correct bull that who was low maintenance and had a practical side beyond his prodigious production of show winning offspring.

Tea for the Tillerman, a Columbus son, was used successfully in the herds of several major USA Shorthorn breeders during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, including the Woodside herd in Pennsylvania.  He was line bred with Scottshill Major Clark on both sides of his pedigree.  He was a large stretchy bull that “brought a lot to the table”.  He added size while maintaining milk and productivity.

Thornwood Major is another Graham Land & Livestock bull that was used extensively in the 70’s. He combined muscling with scale, as breeders tried to move beyond the “belt buckle” debacle. Another important aspect was longevity.  His dam, Thornwood Royal Dot, was flushed at 16 years of age.  Cows with this ability are absent is today’s show-obsessed Shorthorns.

Cat 20 was a product of the Harold Thieman TPS herd in Missouri. Cat 20’s pedigree diverged from the Leader 21 sons that everyone was using at the time. From the picture of Cat the smooth muscling and thickness is quite apparent. Cat was lightly used in many herds during the early 70’s.

TPS Coronet Leader 21st was a large bull in a world dominated at the time by small (belt-buckle) cattle.  He was a stout and thick bull that has sired many famous Shorthorn sires such as Kinnaber Leader 6th and 9th.  His importance to the Shorthorn breed should not be underestimated.  American Breeders Service (ABS) promoted him as a changer bull that would bring the Shorthorn out of the wilderness of small cattle into the world of functional productive cattle.  Leader 21st lead that charge.

TPS Leader 61st was half brother to Leader 21st, since Coronet Max Leader was their sire.  What sets him apart is that he is more of a linebred bull.  He was thick with adequate size.  He is not well known in the Shorthorn breed today but he has the potential, with proper matings, to propagate positive old Shorthorn genetics.

Weston Surprise

Registr. # 3478500

Sire: FA Cadet 20 D ASA #3324879

Dam: Butte Lee Myrna 2nd ASA #3393325

Weston Surprise was the original “Surprise” in the Weston herd in South Dakota owned by Dr. Martin Nold. Weston Surprise was sired by FA Cadet 20D who was the sire of several Surprise bulls. His dam was a Butte Lee cow from the herd of Edgar Philpott in Central Butte, Saskatchewan Canada. Weston Surprise was known as a “meat bull” and was used extensively in the Weston herd.

Many consider Weston Trademark 3rd to be one of the finest Shorthorn bulls ever produced. He was from Dr. Martin Nold’s Weston herd in Osaka, South Dakota. He was used in a wide variety of Shorthorn herds in both the U. S. and Canada. He was affectionately known as “Fillet”. His offspring tended to be thick and deep in a balanced package.

Polar Bar combines the best of Meadowbrook and Wexvale breeding.  His great grandam is Lakeside Princess 4th who was basically the foundationcow for the Wexvale herd of Michigan.  She was purchased at 6 weeks of age and her influence on the Wexvale herd was extensive.  His sire, Meadowbrook Prince 16th, had a long positive track record in the Meadowbrook herd and produced many outstanding offspring.  Polar Bar combines the best of true Dual Purpose Shorthorn breeding.