Careful breeding helps secure Shorthorn future

Late autumn, in the weeks before weaning, is always a good time to take a long, hard look at that season’s calf crop and there is no doubt that the calves grazing the pastures in front of Upsall Castle, Thirsk, certainly look impressive.

But while Gerald Turton is clearly pleased with them, he admits it will be another year before he really knows how much of an effect these calves are likely to have on the herd’s future – and possibly on the breed as a whole.

You can’t get much deeper into Beef Shorthorn history than in the Upsall herd in North Yorkshire. No other Beef Shorthorn herd on the UK mainland has been established as long and in 2009 it celebrates its centenary.

So it is fitting that as such a momentous occasion approaches, owner Gerald Turton has thrown caution to the wind and infused the famous bloodlines of this renowned herd with a raft of imported genetics by using semen from a team of carefully selected bulls from Australia and Canada.

“We’ve dabbled a bit with imported genetics over the years. We’ve used Canadian breeding to improve udders, length and shoulders but this time, instead of using one bull, I thought it would be more valuable to use several bulls all at once,” says Mr Turton.

Among the eight Australian sires leaving their mark in the herd are Bundaleer Yankee Cruiser, Eionmor Mr Gus 80C, Sprise True Blue YO33 and Bellmore Fuel Injected V12 as well as the Canadian bull Sutherland Bundaberg.

And while the pedigree aspect of his breeding choices remains his focus, Mr Turton is a man deeply committed to stimulating greater awareness of the breed’s traits among commercial beef producers. He admits it’s been a slog at times and although the Beef Shorthorn has improved beyond recognition in the past 20 years – and there continues to be a steady stream of new breeders emerging – he can’t help thinking commercial producers still haven’t woken up to its true value.

“If I could convince more owners of Limousin-cross cows that they could solve their heifer replacement concerns in one go by using a Beef Shorthorn bull I’d feel the breed was making a real break through. Beef Shorthorn x Limousin-cross females are tremendous cattle – milky, quiet, thrifty and extremely hard-wearing,” he says.

Maintaining female traits while upholding the breed’s beefing characteristics remains a constant challenge. “It’s a balancing act trying to sustain and improve the shape while never losing sight of maternal traits. Maternal qualities are one of the breed’s great strengths.”

The plan is to retain several bull calves by different sires and to use them in the herd to continue the evaluation of these imported genetics. But while it will be some time before he sees their influence in the sale ring at Perth, this autumn’s Perth gathering will see one bull and three heifers carrying the Upsall prefix.

The heifers are by Uppermill Recto, Walrus of Upsall and Warlock of Upsall. The only bull entered is Virginian of Upsall who is a son of Trunley Soldier. Virginian has a Beef Index of 22 and is out of the dam of the herd’s 2005 supreme Perth champion.

Hopefully this autumn’s entries may emulate at least some of the record breaking success achieved by the 2005 Upsall team at Perth which accounted for all the male championship titles, including the supreme with Wyvis of Upsall, which made the day’s second highest price of 7500gns. Behind these wins lies the influence of Uppermill Recto – one of the most influential sires to be used at Upsall in recent years.

Shorthorn future

So what does the future hold for the Beef Shorthorn? As the profitability of suckled calf production in the hills comes under scrutiny as environmental pressures increase and producers struggle to justify in-wintering costs, should the traits of this breed now be far more widely acknowledged as we try to produce the most profitable beef of the highest quality from our hills and uplands?

Mr Turton believes the Beef Shorthorn ticks most of the boxes when it comes to maternal traits coupled with its hardiness, thriftiness, quiet temperament and longevity. The breed is now moving into a new era, he says.

“For the last decade suckled calf producers haven’t had a clear vision of where they were going. The beef sector has been far from stable and now we have a number of other problems hanging round our necks.

“But I have complete faith in this breed. We wouldn’t have kept them for the last 100 years if we’d had any doubts about them. Native breeds are enjoying resurgence – in terms of more recognition among commercial farmers and a greater appreciation of the quality of their beef.

“Breeds like the Beef Shorthorn that are easily managed and will finish off grass without high priced concentrates will undoubtedly have an important role to play in the future of profitable beef production.”