Shorthorns in the 20th Century UK and Ireland

Authors: John Wood-Roberts
The Shorthorn breed rose to a pinnacle of success in the middle of the 20th century, with huge export demand, and animals being sold for record sums - Bapton Constructor was sold for 15,000 guineas to Canada in 1956 and in 1961 Calrossie Heirloom for 13,500 guineas to the Argentine.

The breed’s great benefit is its twin function, both dairy and beef, but this dual purpose quality was also its undoing, as herds needed to become specialised and the Friesian began to make inroads. Many of the best animals had been exported and there was a worrying trend towards small, short-legged animals.

The beef Shorthorn was listed as a breed of concern to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in 1987. Much work went into remedying the situation, with a revolutionary experimental breeding scheme, so today’s cattle produce many times more than their ancestors. Other qualities of the breed include an ability to require little veterinary involvement, as well as proven docility, ease of calving and lack of foot problems; coupled with good mobility, the Shorthorn is a low maintenance breed, now on the way to recovery.

Beginning with an overview of the history of the breed up to 1900, John Wood Roberts continues with its dramatic rise and the large sums of money involved; he charts its subsequent rocky period and discusses the rescue methods leading to a revival of the breed. The book also portrays the colourful human characters involved (breeders, auctioneers and shippers) and their herds, bringing the story up to date. Such a complete reference work must sit on the bookshelf of anyone interested in the Shorthorn and its breeding.

John Wood Roberts has farmed for most of his life, mainly in the West Country, where he had a mixed farm with pedigree dairy and beef herds as well as an extensive outdoor pig unit and sheep until a serious accident prevented his continuing. However, when he took on the secretaryship of the Shorthorn Society he was able to continue with his pedigree experience and many contacts within the industry. Shortly following his retirement in 1999 he joined the panel of the Addington Trust that was set up in 2001 to assist the country folk who were suffering financial hardship and stress during and following the foot and mouth epidemic.

Availability: In Print
Publication date: 2005
Binding: Hardback
Dimensions: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
Extent:236 pp
ISBN: 1 873580 70 3

Book Contents

Foreword
Setting the Scene
Early Days
The Early 20th Century
What is the Shorthorn Breed?
Irish Shorthorns
The Breed gets Organized
Great War and After
World War II-the ’60s
The ’60s and Early ’70s
Late ’70s and Early ’80s
The ’90s
Sales , Shippers and Sellers
Conclusion
Appendix 1: Important chronological events in the development of the Shorthorn Society
Appendix II: Breeds or types which have evolved from Shorthorns
Appendix III:Some Shorthorn records
Appendix IV: Shorthorn Society past presidents
Appendix V: List of books which cover the years of the Shorthorn
Index