Shorthorns?

BeReyt

Member
Livestock Farmer
I'm wondering if anyone has experience with Shorthorns and/or NDS and could tell me about them?
Interested in a good grazing cow with quality milk, and being in Lancashire I thought of these (unless there's another traditional northern dairy breed?)

Thanks, James
 

BeReyt

Member
Livestock Farmer
I think the NDS has pretty much died out, and was more of a dual purpose/suckler cow type animal.
Thanks for that, was it caught in the middle between the split of the breed or would it be more true to he original types being a dual purpose?

@upnortheast that's great thanks, I'll get j contact. I've time to look at all options, no mad rush.

Ive fancied cross with shorthorn as there supposed to be the highest rated in health traits
That's what I like to hear.. any problems to be wary of?
 

Cowmansam

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Shropshire
No idea to be honest I’ve not done the cross it’s just something I’ve fancied doing reason I haven’t old guy worked with them years back said no milk and bad tempered but he says that abiut most things to be fair
 

Bald n Grumpy

Member
Livestock Farmer
If you enjoy foot trimming they're not for you, I've never trimmed a foot.
Nds are being used by some as crossing bulls with good results.
I'm heavily biased ( always kept dairy shorthorns) but you won't regret giving them a try. Good healthy long living cows that produce a calf worth rearing
 

Rossymons

Member
Location
Cornwall
They have their place sure enough.

Feet are very good and they hold onto condition well. Production might not set the world on fire but neither will the bills to get you there. Solids not as high as other grazing cows - from what i've seen anyway.
 

BeReyt

Member
Livestock Farmer
Would 3500 - 4500 per lactation be achievable, grazed behind electric? Thinking of cheese making, so would the milk be of that quality?

A good strong animal that will look after herself is what I want, accepting that yields will be on the low side.

What temperament do they come with?

Thanks for the replies everyone
 

upnortheast

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Northumberland
Would 3500 - 4500 per lactation be achievable, grazed behind electric? Thinking of cheese making, so would the milk be of that quality?
That should be easy assuming you can grow (& manage ) good quality grass.
Cheese needs decent protein I understand .That is part genetic & part nutrition. So need to do some research on feeding for milk protein production
 

BeReyt

Member
Livestock Farmer
Brilliant, thanks for that! Something along those lines, yes.

That should be easy assuming you can grow (& manage ) good quality grass.
Cheese needs decent protein I understand .That is part genetic & part nutrition. So need to do some research on feeding for milk protein production

I'm confident I can manage the grass, growing the grass on a day like today is another matter 😬

I will do some more research, thank you.

Very helpful everyone 👍
 

LTH

Member
Livestock Farmer
I have half a dozen bred from a cow I got as a calf from strickley. Nice cows good feet, fert and milk quality. Not much different to Friesian on yield. Arklid bel 50% pure in calf to 100% win hall william.
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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