Shorthorn Beef Cattle Devlyn Husband and Jonathan Goodin Breed Pics Breed Characteristics The shorthorn can be red, white, roan or a red and white mix. The average weight is 1760 lbs. The generally dont have horns, but when they do they are polled Shorthorns are terminal History The Shorthorn breed originated on the Northeastern coast of England in the counties of Northcumberland, Durham, York and Lincoln. In 1783, the breed was spread to Scotland and America In 1854 they were used strictly for beef production It was easily bread with longhorns The average life-span is years Daily Care Shorthorns do not suffer from disease usually. The most common disease is genetic disease Tibial Hemelia. This causes calves to be born with serious deformities. Most of the calves do not survive this and must be put down immediately. Most shorthorn cattle will cost anywhere from $400-$1,600. Champions can sell for $2,000-$4,000 Anatomy 4 Stomachs 1. The Rumen - this is the largest part and holds up to 50 gallons of partially digested food. This is where the 'cud' comes from. Good bacteria in the Rumen helps soften and digest the cow's food and provides protein for the cow. 2. The Recticulum - this part of the stomach is called the 'hardware' stomach. This is because if the cow eats something it shouldn't have like a piece of fencing, it lodges here in the Recticulum and cause no damage to the cow. Also, the grass that has been eaten is also softened further and formed into small wads of cud. Each cud returns to the cow's mouth and is chewed times and then swallowed properly. 3. The Omasum - this part of the stomach is a 'filter'. It filters through all the food the cow eats. The cud is also pressed and broken down further. 4. The Abomasum - this part of the stomach is like a human's stomach and is connected to the intestines. Here, the food is finally digested by the cow's stomach juices and essential nutrients that the cow needs are passed through the bloodstream. The rest is passed through to the intestines and produces a 'cow pat'. Daily Care Shorthorn beef cattle are extremely feed efficient, allowing them to retain high fertility levels and high production records, even under tough seasonal conditions. Shorthorns generally eat grass, but you can feed them artificially made feed if preferred. Works Cited "Breeds - Beef Shorthorn." The Cattle Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb "Shorthorn Beef SBTS | Shorthorn Beef." Shorthorn Beef | a Better Bottom Line!. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb "Shorthorn Cattle." Cattle.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb