Shorthorn breed of cows: description and characteristics, breeding rules

Great Britain is considered the birthplace of the Shorthorn breed of cows. The new species was bred by crossing local stock with Dutch bulls. At first, the goal of English breeders was to improve meat characteristics, but then they paid attention to milk indicators. Today cows are bred by farmers in Europe, Canada and other countries. Animals were brought to Russia in the 19th century.

Appearance and characteristics

The Shorthorn breed got its name because of the short and curved horns. Cows are proportionally built. The animals are quite large - up to 130 centimeters in height, the oblique length of the body exceeds one and a half meters.The coat color is red, there are variegated specimens, and sometimes pure white.

Adult females weigh about half a ton, bulls - 7-9 centners. Calves are born 30 kg. Russian representatives of the breed are larger. The mass of cows reaches 6 centners, producers - almost a ton.

Meat yield from Shorthorn breed is 60-80%. The proportion of body fat - no more than 8%. Products are classified as marble type. Animals reach the highest productivity at the age of 2 years. They also receive 2,500 liters of milk with a fat content of 3.9% per year.

Pros and Cons of a Shorthorn Cow

Shorthorn cows have advantages and disadvantages over other species:

Pros and consHigh rates of meat productivityCalves gain a kilogram daily, which is one and a half times higher than the averageGood milk yieldWidespreadPretty weak immune systemCows are demanding on conditions of detentionProblems with reproduction of offspringPoor acclimatization

The meat of Shorthorn cows is valued for its taste and marble layer. But disease susceptibility and low fertility have led to a decline in livestock numbers.

Maintenance and care requirements

Cows require careful care. The Shorthorn breed does not tolerate cold and does not adapt well to climatic conditions. If you do not pay due attention to the livestock, the animals often get sick.

Bulls lose the ability to mate, females - the ability to fertilize. Productivity is also starting to decline.

In the conditions of the southern heat, shorthorns are recommended to be released to pastures in spring and summer. In cooler climates, animals spend most of their time indoors. Make sure the room is warm and dry. Drafts are contraindicated.

In front of the building they are equipping a platform with a canopy for walking. Staying in the fresh air will have a positive effect on the well-being of cattle. To strengthen the immune system, it is useful for cows to move for at least 3 hours. This is enough time to clean up the barn.

Diet

The nutrition requirements of the Shorthorn breed are high. The use of low-quality feed is reflected in the weight gain of animals. The diet includes:

1. Hay and straw. In winter, volumes increase.
2. Cows' favorite delicacy is legumes. Pasture provides livestock with this type of grass only a quarter. When breeding shorthorns, it is recommended to sow plants in separate areas.
3. From root crops, animals prefer beets and carrots. Useful potatoes, pumpkin, and silage.
4. Different types of concentrates are mixed in equal parts. Usually use 2 kinds of products.
5. The need for nutrients is provided by vitamin-mineral complexes.

Shorthorns eat at least 55 kilograms of food per day. In the diet of bulls, roughage makes up a third of the total volume of products, and succulent - half the daily norm. For females, these types of food are distributed equally.

Breeding

The breeding of Shorthorn cows is difficult due to the difficulty of fertilization. Various pathologies often reduce the reproductive function of animals. But with a successful conception, calving is easy. During pregnancy and in the postpartum period, they provide a comfortable keeping of the cow and calf. Violation of hygiene standards will lead to illness and even death of livestock.Young animals are immediately taught to observe the daily routine. Walking and feeding are carried out strictly according to the schedule.

Farmers advise using artificial insemination methods. Material for insemination is taken from bulls with the highest rates.

Frequent diseases

The he alth of Shorthorn cows is poor. Animals are susceptible to infections and viruses. The most dangerous diseases are leukemia and tuberculosis. An effective treatment has not yet been developed. At the first sign of illness, infected individuals are immediately isolated from the herd. Carcasses are burned. Antibiotics are used to treat leptospirosis and catarrhal fever.

When breeding animals, attention is paid to the quality of food, water and keeping the pen clean. As a preventive measure, regular vaccinations and veterinary examinations are carried out.

Shorthorn cows have many positive traits. Breeders use the breed to breed new productive species. Subject to the rules of keeping and feeding, large volumes of high-quality meat and milk are obtained.

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