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Milking Shorthorn | ||
The Milking Shorthorn is one of the oldest recognized breeds of dairy cattle. It originiated in Northeastern England, in the valley of the Tees River. Much of the early improvement work took place in the counties of Northumberlan, Durham, and York.
The first "Milk Breed" Shorthorns, or the Milking Shorthorn was brought to the United States in 1783, arriving first in Virginia. These early importations, often referred to as "Durhams" became favorites of the pioneer, furnishing meat, milk, and power. Milking Shorthorns, the most numerous in the British Isles, America, and Australia, are either red, red and white or roan. Roan is a mixture of red and white, and found in not other breed of cattle.Here is a picture of a roan colored cow.
The Milking Shorthorn is the most versatile of all breeds and this is one of its greatest attributes. These docile cows efficiently produce large volumes of milk each lactation and are large enough to have a high salvage value when their long productive lives finally come to an end. In addiction, their healthy calves born each year on regular calving intervals are spunky at birth, grow rapidly, and those not kept for breeding stock and herd replacement make efficient gans and hang very desirable grading carcasses.
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