What's the big deal about whether the cattle fit your "ideal" of what a Shorthorn should be, whatever that is? Find me a real purebred Simmental, Limousin, Maine Anjou, Gelbvieh, or Angus for that matter. The only ones would be the fullbloods and there aren't many of them. Name any breed that didn't evolve from the mixture of "neighborhood" cattle. What's the difference of promoting Shorthorn Plus as opposed to "Balancers" or any of the other X-bred cattle many breed associations are recognizing in their registry? It's simply a method to involve more people in the breed and create more revenue. Are Maine Anjou a real force in the commercial industry? The only place I see them is in the show ring and they don't have to be anywhere near 100% to show. How about the Chis? I think if you have a picture of a Chi in your den any cattle you raise can register as a Chi. If the show ring is so bad, why are there 500 Simmentals or more shown at the Iowa State Fair? How come the show lasts 14 hours and is so well attended if these cattle are so commercial oriented? Who's watching the show? Colorado ranchers? All the genetics that win the Simmental show in Des Moines end up in the commercial herds out west. My neighbor sells EVERY bull calf he raises from SHOW Simmental genetics to commercial producers at a sale in Nebraska. And for good money. His cattle are almost pets, are dry lotted year round, pushed as hard as they can be and evidently must be doing a reasonable job in commercial herds out west. Are the Simmental judges so much better at picking winners that work in the real world? I doubt it. Promotion and public perception are the driving forces in nearly every industry, beef cattle included. Certified Angus Beef anyone?