SASKATOON – Shorthorns are in short supply, said breeders attending the Saskatoon Fall Fair and Mexabition. Their return to the cattle show after a 15-year absence coincides with a renewed interest in the British breed.
“Commercial cow herds have been getting too much exotic blood in them. They’ve lost the maternal traits and some of the other strengths the Shorthorn provide for Canadian herds,” said Brian Gamble of Perdue, Sask.
Shorthorn breeders also credit a change in the perspective of commercial growers when it comes to production. They say the demand for smaller, stronger calves and cows producing adequate milk supplies is way up and with it demand for their cattle.
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“People are looking for smaller cuts of meat and smaller animals are needed to fill that market. The consumer is calling the tune,” said Tim Lehman of Rosthern, Sask.
Strong attendance at sales
“At the same time, cattle producers look for 1,400 pounds at 14 months and we can deliver that too. It has meant strong turnouts for our bull sales and a lot more calls from cattlemen,” he said.
The Shorthorn breed was the first purebred animal recognized in Canada and during the 1930s was often referred to as the “mortgage lifter” because of the breed’s ability to produce both milk and meat. Until the 1970s the breed was a major force in commercial cattle bloodlines.
“When the exotics came in we were the hardest hit,” said Gamble.
“We weathered the tough times with the Shorthorn, but we were hit pretty hard in the mid-seventies,” said St. Gregor, Sask. breeder, Bernie Moellenbeck. The Moellenbeck family has stuck with the breed since 1948.
“When it happened I started looking at other breeds too. I looked at everything out there and realized Shorthorn was where I wanted to be,” said Moellenbeck, winner of the champion bull, reserve junior champion and premier exhibitor titles.
“I can’t raise enough bred heifers to satisfy demand for them,” he said.
