The Australian Shorthorn Herd Book, established by the Beef Shorthorn Society in 1974 to enable the broadening of the gene pool of registered Shorthorn cattle in Australia, to facilitate flexibility in breeding programs, and to enable reliable tracing of cattle previously excluded from Shorthorn herd books, was the first herd book dedicated to Australian Shorthorns.  Today, it remains the only herd book so dedicated.

From the Breeder's Perspective, the Australian Shorthorn Herd Book offers a cost-effective means of registering eligible cattle, of implementing any one of a wide variety of programs which can make use of the available gene pool of shorthorn cattle in Australia and overseas, and of selecting the limit of traceability - whether by registration alone or by the use of Breedplan.

From a Buyer's Perspective, Australian Shorthorn cattle are cattle with a traceable background, tailored by individual breeders to particular product needs, offering access to a broad-based gene pool which includes purebred shorthorn cattle inspected and approved for entry into the Australian Shorthorn Herd Book.

Broadening the Gene Pool:  Over a long period many purebred shorthorn herds have been run in Australia outside the registered cattle system.  These cattle offer an expansive gene pool which can be most useful in a breeding program.  The Australian Shorthorn Herd Book encourages the registration of such cattle.  The type and quality of the cattle registered is ensured by inspection of foundation females.

"The Australian Shorthorn Herd Book provides a low cost, traceable form of Shorthorn breeding utilising the extensive Shorthorn genetics available to the commercial or seed-stock producer.  Important genetics traits can be traced and monitored, a key to marketability and profitability".  Peter Falls, "South Burrabogie", Hay, NSW

Flexibility -  The Australian Shorthorn Herd Book is not restricted to foundation cattle and their progeny.  Flexibility is the hallmark.  Cattle already registered in other Herd Books for shorthorn cattle in Australia are admitted without inspection.  It is up to the individual breeder what breeding program he or she implements - making use of any combination of foundation cattle and cattle registered in the Beef Shorthorn Herd Book, Shorthorn or Dairy Shorthorn Herd Books.

"My aim is to produce quality steers, 15-18 months, finished on grass for the local Tasmanian trade.  Through the Australian Shorthorn Herd Book, drawing on cattle in other Shorthorn herd books, I have been able to breed registered bulls which allow me to meet this very specific market".  Alec Loane, Dunroan, East Devonport, Tasmania

"With an extended genetic pool, including polled cattle, I'm able to maintain the upside of infusions of Beef Shorthorn genetics whilst dehorning naturally - all the while being able to register cattle cheaply and efficiently".

Bill Greenhill, "Egmont", Westbury, Tasmania

The wide range of options includes breeding foundation females to Beef Shorthorn Bulls so as to build up pedigrees which in time enable registration of calves in the Beef Shorthorn Herd Book. 

Traceability  - It is one thing for a breeder to know about or have personal records of the performance of particular stock.  But with registration there is a permanently traceable record of genetics.  If a breeder wishes, the amount of traceable information can be expanded by use of Breedplan in conjunction with registration.  The permanent record provided by registration assists in identifying stock which carry desirable breeding characteristics - whether it be conformation, or a quality such as superior marbling ability.

"After nearly 20 years of running registered Beef Shorthorn and purebred unregistered shorthorn females side by side, using the same bulls over all the cows, and keeping personal records of the breeding and performance details of the unregistered cattle, the penny dropped.  I realised that registering the unregistered females and their progeny in the Australian Shorthorn Herd Book would give me a permanent, public, traceable record of what I was doing, access to Breedplan, and in time - if I wanted - the ability to register the cattle in the Beef Shorthorn Herd Book.  In the last 15 years it has worked out wonderfully well".   David Ashley, "Morningtime", Elingamite, Victoria

For more information, please contact The Beef Shorthorn Society of Australia

Telephone the Federal Secretary: 0419 317 990