Whitebred Shorthorn: About The Breed
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The Whitebred Shorthorn (often refered to as the White Shorthorn) is bred primarily as a crossing bull to mate with any breed of female, but principally with the Galloway to produce the noted Bluegrey, and the Highland producing a Cross Highlander, the progeny from both these crosses being well suited to the full range of British climatic conditions, and able to utilise the poorest of grazing land.
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The Whitebred Shorthorn is a completely seperate breed from the Beef Shorthorn or Dairy Shorthorn.
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The typical animal should have a docile temperament and an outer coat of soft hair and a thick mossy undercoat. The head should be of a medium length with a good wide muzzle and bold bright eyes. The neck too, should be of medium length, blending in smoothly at the shoulders and the top, in line with the back. The ideal frame should have a good covering of firm flesh, should be wide at the pins, should have a straight top line and the body should be deep throughout with a good spring of rib. It is most important that legs and feet should be sound. The feet should be free from any tendency to turn upwards or inwards. The legs should be of nice flat bone and “set at the corners” to give a well balanced appearance.
The bull should be of good conformation and have the ability to transmit conformation and growth potential to steer calves, which will thrive and grow to prime beef quickly and economically.
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The cow should have good milking qualities, the udder should be compact with medium sized teats, well spaced and having the appearance of being able to produce ample milk and be a long weaning regular breeder.
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In 2004 the Whitebred Shorthorn was added to the Rare Breed Survival Trust's Watchlist as a category 2 breed.
Bluegreys
The Whitebred Shorthorn is used predominantly as a crossing bull to the Galloway to produce the Bluegrey, it has a real place in todays’ market, given its low maintenance, ability to thrive in extreme weather conditions utilising poor grassland with no need to feed concentrates to produce superior marbled beef. One of the many attributes of the Whitebred Shorthorn is a good temperament, which makes them an enjoyable breed to work with, combined with their strong maternal instinct and milking ability sees them produce strong calves with good growth rates. The Whitebred Shorthorn is a very versatile breed, proving that it has many different crossing abilities, farmers are now crossing them with Highland Cattle, Holstein Fresian, Beef Shorthorn, Herefords and Luings to name a few. These are real positives for the breeds future. given the growing pressure the industry is under to reduce costs and produce beef sustainably.
History
Association
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These popular Blue-grey cattle were the product of the crossing of the hardy Galloway cow with the Whitebred Shorthorn Bull many of which came from Cumberland.
Early Whitebred Sales
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In the early 1900’s, owners, offering Bluegreys for sale at the Newcastleton suckler sales brought along the odd Whitebred bull, which followed the Bluegreys into the ring to be sold.
Early Whitebred Sales
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In the early 1900’s, owners, offering Bluegreys for sale at the Newcastleton suckler sales brought along the odd Whitebred bull, which followed the Bluegreys into the ring to be sold.
Cattle Sale History
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Shorthorn sale judges history
Cattle Sale History
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Blue grey cattle sale history