American Shorthorn Association
1872
2022
Shorthorn Sesquicentennial Limited Edition Book - America’s First To commemorate our 150 years as America’s First beef breed association, the ASA Board of Directors has commissioned Dr. Bob Hough and Dr. Bert Moore to write a limitededition publication that captures and researches America’s First Beef Breed Association: the American Shorthorn Association (ASA). The authors have portrayed the progress of the breed from its establishment in England, through present time in US. This limited-edition coffee table book will be unveiled at the
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2021 ASA Annual Meeting on October 23rd, 2021 as the Shorthorn breed begins the celebration of its 150th year as an association in the US. To reserve your personal copy to pick-up at ASA Shorthorn events, preorder discounts will be offered through October 1, 2021. This book is a musthave read for any serious Shorthorn or purebred breeder. There are 20+ chapters and over 270 pages of pictures and information about the history of the Shorthorn breed and its impact on the
animal breeding industry. This is truly the first time that our breed’s history will be illustrated from cover to cover. As anticipation for this one-of-a-kind book builds, look for sneak peeks in upcoming issues of Shorthorn Country; as seen below. This book is a symbol of our Sesquicentennial Anniversary that exemplifies our prestigious position as America’s First Beef Breed Association.= Discount & Purchasing Options 150 Years of Shorthorn History:
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Pre-Order $50:
• Pre-order books by October 1, 2021. • Pre-payment required for pickup at the following ASA Events: Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Mo., North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky., or Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, Okla. • Pre-Order forms will be found on the ASA website. • Book pre-order as an add on to the Annual Meeting Registration will be available for members. • Pre-Order books must be picked up, shipping not available.
Join us this fall as we begin the celebration of Shorthorn’s genesis
150 years T
o understand Shorthorns in America, it is important to rst know their background in England. This is where their type was xed, and the breed’s characteristics were set, which in large part determined its usefulness as a breed on both sides of the Atlantic. That Shorthorn was developed in England is no surprise as Great Britain has had a profound impact on the livestock industry. It has given the world many of its most important breeds—Shorthorn, Angus, Hereford—as well as countless other breeds of beef cattle, dairy, sheep, horses, and hogs. It is amazing that one small island could have such a disproportional impact on the world’s animal agriculture, and it speaks highly of the local inhabitants who strove to better their stock using the latest breeding practices. Of these practices, it would take Robert Bakewell to lay the course for developing useful breeds. Each county, or the micro environment within adjoining counties, developed breeds of livestock that had the best utility for their agricultural goals and resources. This would range from Angus, which was developed in the counties of Aberdeen and Angus with the purpose of producing high quality beef, to Ayrshire dairy cattle developed in the county of Ayr. It would be in the Tees River Valley that Shorthorns would become what was thought to be an ideal farmers’ cow.
favorable climate, which is ideal for growing grass for animals to graze.
Onsite Purchases $60: of the American Shorthorn Association • Purchase at the following ASA Events: ASA Annual Meeting,
The famous agricultural journalist Alvin Sanders noted that this part of England was unlike the U.S. where cool-season grasses become dormant during the heat of Prize Black Scotch Heifer & English Longhorn Ox, the summer. NorthSmitheld Show, England courtesy Hough east England’s mild climate and reliable moisture allow for grass to remain green and high quality throughout the summer. This ideal climate for raising grazing animals led to what would arguably become the world’s most inuential cattle breed—Shorthorn.
The farmers’ cattle ______
The mixed agriculture of the Tees River Valley originally called for a breed that was dual-purpose for both milk and beef. Therefore, Shorthorn owes a large part of its form and function to the valley and the surrounding northeastern English counties of Northumberland, Durham, York, and Lincoln. These counties are home to some of the most fertile and productive agriculture lands in the British Isles. The farmers there prided themselves both on their crop and livestock production. The area is also blessed with a
Shorthorns were developed in the northeastern English counties of Northumberland, Durham, York, and Lincoln, which is considered some of the best agricultural land in the British Isles. According to The Old Shorthorn Country, “When you reach that ne country on both sides of the River Tees you are then in the centre [center] of the shorthorned breed of cattle.” (George Cully, 1786). They were originally referred to as Teeswater cattle, then as Durhams, then Shorthorns, and nally as Shorthorns. The name “Shorthorn” was chosen to distinguish them from another old-time English breed, which still exists today, known as the Longhorn. English Longhorns are not related to the American or Texas Longhorn whose ancestors came from Spain.
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North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) or Cattlemen’s Congress. • Books purchased onsite must be picked-up, no shipping.
Regular Price $65 Plus Shipping & Handling:
• Order forms available on the ASA website at regular price plus shipping and handling.
Shorthorns were developed in the northeastern English counties of Northumberland, Durham, York, and Lincoln, which is considered some of the best agricultural land in the British Isles. According to The Old Shorthorn Country, “When you reach that fine country on both sides of the River Tees you are then in the centre [center] of the shorthorned breed of cattle.” (George Cully, 1786). They were originally referred to as Teeswater cattle, then as Durhams, then Short-horns, and finally as Shorthorns. The name”Shorthorn” was chosen to distinguish them from another oldtime English breed, which still exists today, known as they Longhorn. English Longhorns are not related to the American or Texas Longhorn whose ancestors came from Spain.
