The homeland of the Shorthorn cow breed is considered to be Great Britain. The new species was created 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 characteristics. 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 its 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 weighing 30 kilograms. Russian representatives of the breed are larger in size. The weight of cows reaches 6 centners, and the weight of sires reaches almost a ton.
The meat yield from the Shorthorn breed is 60-80%. The proportion of fat layer is no more than 8%. The products are classified as marble type. Animals reach their greatest productivity at the age of 2 years. During the year they also produce 2,500 liters of milk with a fat content of 3.9%.
Pros and cons of the Shorthorn cow
Shorthorn cows have advantages and disadvantages compared to other species:
The meat of Shorthorn cows is valued for its taste and marbling. But susceptibility to disease and low fertility have led to the fact that the number of livestock has decreased.
Requirements for maintenance and care
Cows require careful care. The Shorthorn breed does not tolerate cold and does not adapt well to climatic conditions. If you do not show proper attention to the livestock, the animals often begin to get sick.
Bulls lose the ability to mate, females lose the ability to fertilize. Productivity rates are also starting to decline.
In the southern heat, it is recommended to release Shorthorns to pastures in the spring and summer. In cool climates, animals spend most of their time indoors. Make sure the room is warm and dry. Drafts are contraindicated.
An area with a canopy for walking is being built in front of the building. 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 time is enough to restore order in the barn.
Diet
The Shorthorn breed has increased nutritional requirements. The use of low-quality feed affects the weight gain of animals. The diet includes:
- Hay and straw. In winter the volumes increase.
- Cows' favorite treat is legumes. Pasture provides only a quarter of the livestock with this type of grass. When breeding shorthorns, it is recommended to sow separate areas with plants.
- Animals prefer beets and carrots among root vegetables. Potatoes, pumpkin, and silage are useful.
- Different types of concentrates are mixed in equal parts. Usually 2 types of products are used.
- The need for nutrients is provided by vitamin and 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 juicy feed makes up half of the daily requirement. For females, these types of food are distributed equally.
Breeding
Breeding Shorthorn cows is difficult due to difficulties with fertilization. Various pathologies often reduce the reproductive function of animals. But if conception is successful, calving is easy. During pregnancy and the postpartum period, they provide comfortable housing for the cow and calf.Violation of hygiene standards will lead to illness and even death of livestock. Young animals are immediately taught to follow a daily routine. Walking and feeding are carried out strictly according to the schedule.
Frequent illnesses
The health of Shorthorn cows is poor. Animals are susceptible to infections and viruses. The most dangerous diseases are leukemia and tuberculosis. Effective treatment has not yet been developed. At the first signs of illness, infected individuals are immediately isolated from the herd. The carcasses are burned. To combat leptospirosis and catarrhal fever use antibiotics.
When breeding animals, attention is paid to the quality of food, water and maintaining cleanliness in the pen. As a preventive measure, regular vaccinations and veterinary examinations are carried out.
Shorthorn cows have many positive properties. Breeders use the breed to breed new productive species. If the rules of keeping and feeding are followed, large volumes of high-quality meat and milk are obtained.
