Durham Reds

[Okotoks]

I know some on SP have been involved with breeding Durham Reds and I received this email from the ASA and I'm sure a lot of other breeders did as well. I know some have invested a lot of time and effort so hopefully these changes help this program be successful.

Subject: Changes to the Durham Red Program


Attention Durham Red Enthusiasts:


In the brief history of the Durham Red program, only several hundred cattle have received the coveted “DR” prefix to their registration number.  After some breeder feedback, it is quite evident that the rules originally put in place are cost prohibitive and cumbersome.  As a result, the ASA Board & Staff have decided to make a few changes to the program in order to increase the number of cattle enrolled.  The ASA’s British composite program is still a performance based, data driven agenda aimed at capitalizing on the benefits of the Shorthorn X Red Angus cross.  However, effective July 20th, the ASA has lifted the genetic defect testing requirements as well as the yearling weight and scrotal circumference measures prior to receiving a Durham Red registration paper.  The ASA still encourages breeders to report yearling weights and scrotal measures as well as keep Durham Reds free of carrier genetics.  However, these changes will allow breeders to register Durham Red calves at weaning time and receive one Durham Red paper rather than a ShorthornPlus paper first.  As mailing costs continue to rise, these changes should save some cost for breeders and the ASA alike.  Fees for registrations and any pedigree builds (also known as Initial Entries) will remain the same.  As well, the ASA reserves the right to require genetic defect testing of any potential carriers in the Durham Red program (including Red Angus and all other breeds). 



It becomes very difficult for the ASA staff to allocate time and resources to promoting Durham Red when the registry does not reflect that the program has significance.  Conversely, the ASA staff knows that far more Durham Reds are traded in a year than are registered; some receive ShorthornPlus papers, others no paper period.  All said, the ASA needs to see a significant increase in Durham Red registrations if we are to dedicate additional funding to the program’s promotion and advertising.  Rest assured, we understand the potential significance of the Durham Red to the commercial beef sector; “breed complimentarity” is a buzzword that is returning to cow-calf production.  With extreme drought cutting cow numbers dramatically in parts of the US, now is the time to prepare to repopulate those pastures with RED British F-1 females.  Success of the Durham Red will also prompt ASA staff to look into enhancements to the online registration system for composites.  Online registrations with an “open” herd book is a challenge in itself!



Feel free to forward this email to any users of Durham Red; we certainly welcome any feedback! 



FYI – The new Summer 2011 EPDs for Shorthorns and Durham Reds are now up on the ASA’s website through the “Search the Breed” tool!



Best regards,

Patrick Wall

Director of Genetic Improvement

Eastern Regional Director

American Shorthorn Ass'n.

8288 Hascall St.

Omaha, NE 68124

 

[garybob]

It makes me wonder where the ASA believes that eliminating the genetic defect testing requirement will HELP. We need to eliminate marble-bone, TH, as well as PHA from getting into commercial herds.

?????????? ??????????
GB

 

[kfacres]

i think that in the paragraph, the genetic testing comes first, then they talk about SC and YW...  I find that ironic, as in the order each is prepared...

I know that we haven't registered a single shorthorn (or plus) this year, and have also declined in paying our annual dues.

 

[JTM]

I think it's interesting that they say there isn't enough interest to justify alotting time and money towards this program. Isn't that what the Association is suppose to do? Create interest by marketing this program, visiting and talking to commercial breeders and seedstock producers? Maybe more time should be put towards this type of program and towards promoting commercial acceptance rather than making sure all of the major sales and shows are well attended? I'm not sure about the change in the genetic defect testing rules but I think making things a little easier is a step in the right direction.

 

[sue]

So here is the break down.

The original "awkardness" of DR was when you sold a calf at less then a year of age a SH + paper would transfer to your customer. If you were waiting for yw wt and sc measurements then this would take time for you and your potential customer. ... I personally brought this to the attention to former Ex sec Greg Ruelle
.
Long before genetic defect issues played a part in Red Angus.

Keep in mind the whole idea of Durham Red is a breed composite PROGRAM within the breed of shorthorn NOT A WAY OF BREEDING UP or back to purebred shorthorn.?

As time travels then this was still an issue for me personally- Durham Red papers in "transit look like a plus paper" so in fact when shorthorn plus looked as though it was growing in numbers ($$$) it was really just a Durham Red in the 'HOLDING PEN"  ..... sure i think in the thick of THC an d PHA we bred shorthorns to anything else until we had a test. I would agree and with my whole heart agreed "APPENDIX"  needed a new name. Shorthorn Plus made sense. I in fact endorsed this "show division....
But I never thought for a minute any one at ASA would lose site of what the Durham REd program meant to the breeders and buyers...

BASICALLY WHAT THE PROPOSAL IS BEFORE YOU IS SHORTHORN PLUS IS NOW FORMALLY AS EQUAL AS DURHAM RED  ???

YOU NEVER NEEDED  A DNA MARKER TO PAPER ANYTHING BLACK or Shorthorn PLUs.... aND FRANKLY THAT IS SHORTHORN PLUS.  SO YOU DECIDE HOW YOU WANT TO PAPER IT.  But at one point a durham red was a papered animal mated to a papered animal with dna??  Shorthorn plus never required anything clean or dirty from black angus issues? YOu decide is this worth it?

I will pay 5$ for any time the word Durham red shows up on the american shorthorn web page, the shorthorn country ... you say you 'dont have money' but when did face book or a web site cost additiional dollars??  How about a "blog" now that's some huge internet spending there?? Look back at the global or most respected cattlemen of america that endorsed this program. .. My god-- JTM would please post a picture of COMPLETE- WHAT MORE NEEDS TO BE SAID??

Seriously adding value is the name of the game. You either "get it or you dont'??


Good post okotoks.

 

[garybob]

<beer>to sue. Couldn't have said it any more plain than that.

GB

 

[trevorgreycattleco]

Linebred shortie x linebred angus (black, red) ; same type/ heterosis through the roof = great carcassed, great mammas that can be bred to just about anything. 

 

[Shorthorns4us]

Obotoks-- thank you for sharing that e-mail.  I would never have known otherwise.
I love the Durham Red program and immediately got some Red Angus animals when they started the program because to me it was-- this is our ticket back into the feedlots!!!
Some of my best heifer calves this year are going to be Durham Red papered-- this cross is just plain awesome and we keep our color integrity.  I also have an awesome half and half bull calf that really needs to go into a commercial herd-- he is full of meat.
I hope this does open up more registrations-- I understand though that we need to be aware to still keep our cattle as defect free as possible. 
thanks a bunch!
EF

 

[JTM]

Here you go Sue, the Durham Red himself. That is, as soon as I get his papers done.  (dog)

 

[feeder duck]

JTM......How is he bred? I like him a good bit!

My "Durham Reds"  have " Appendix" papers......oops I mean Plus Papers. It so hard to keep up with all the changes. I guess it is all good in the end!

  Jeff

 

[Jacob B]

Whats the cow TrevorGRey?? Looks cool from the front side?

 

[kfacres]

JTM......How is he bred? I like him a good bit!

My "Durham Reds"  have " Appendix" papers......oops I mean Plus Papers. It so hard to keep up with all the changes. I guess it is all good in the end!

  Jeff

I can give a little bit. .He's a 3/4 shorthorn, sired by a half blood bull from Leveldale Farms in IL.  His dam is a Lakeside cow that sue produced.  I forget the rest.  Brock (Trever Grey CC) Produced this bull and sold him to JTM (Josh).  I was a day late and dollar short, but I considered buying him myself...  Gosh dang it Josh, and Brock too)

 

[trevorgreycattleco]

Whats the cow TrevorGRey?? Looks cool from the front side?

Cow is a shorthorn / red angus. Sire is a 7026 son we used from Leveldale. Dam was(deceased) a super cow bred in the Plateau Red Angus in Colorado. She was a ground sow. Calf is a 3/4 shorthorn sired by 329. I think she was about a month old in this pic. Thanks Jacob.

 

[trevorgreycattleco]

Jacob B, that cows reg number is AR52109. She is a Durham Red but is listed as a Plus. I never bothered to finish the paper work.  I thought the program was lost to the wind honestly.

feeder duck, the bull your asking about.....He is sired by a awesome bull bred by Leveldale. A Durham Red. Cherokee Canyon on the really good Missie Ruth cow Les had. Dam is out of a Clementine cow from Hub Ranch sired by another Leveldale bull. Javelin. He is sired by the Canadian bull Alta Cedar Ultimate 130K. I think he could make some really good feeders for the yards or grass finishing. JTM says he is holding up well out breeding cows this year.

 

[JTM]

JTM......How is he bred? I like him a good bit!

My "Durham Reds"  have " Appendix" papers......oops I mean Plus Papers. It so hard to keep up with all the changes. I guess it is all good in the end!

  Jeff

Thanks! Cattle Visions and SEK Genetics have him. Or you could track me down. Thanks everybody else for the comments!