Shorthorns

With a legacy spanning more than three centuries in the UK, Shorthorns have been central to the development of Australia’s and New Zealand’s beef industries. By the 1850s, it is estimated Shorthorns made up approximately half of the Australian beef herd.

Shorthorns are prized for producing high-quality premium meat, offering strong returns for commercial breeders. The breed’s popularity is on the rise with global markets recognising the quality and profitability of Shorthorn beef.

Innovation has supported this progress, including genetic evaluation programs that make breeding decisions easier and more effective. In 2024, the Beef Shorthorn Society of Australia became Australian Shorthorns, celebrating two centuries of breeding, development and adaptation that deliver excellence and premium returns today.

Genomic Testing for the Australian Shorthorn Industry

We are proud to be the only provider of cost-effective genomic testing solutions for Australian Shorthorn society members. We invest in cutting-edge technologies that empower stud and commercial producers to make breeding decisions that are faster, smarter, and more profitable.

Australian Shorthorn Testing Options

Cattle Parentage Verification

Cattle parentage testing uses DNA analysis to accurately identify the sire and dam of an animal. By comparing genetic markers from calves and potential parents, the test provides a reliable confirmation of pedigree, helping producers to:

Improve breeding accuracy
Preserves the integrity of breeding records
Enables efficient herd management
Identifies underperforming animals, educating culling decisions
Long term genetic improvement within herds

Bovine VERSA 85K

A great fit for the Shorthorn breed, the Bovine VERSA 85K is 85,000 SNPs of both Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus content. This chip has been developed to increase accuracies for both pure bred and composite cattle and analyse traits of impact to the Devon breed to assist with breeding decisions.