Milking Shorthorns are usually red on their backs, sides, and faces, with white
stomachs, but they can be all red, all white, or roan.
The Milking Shorthorn resembles the (beef) Shorthorn, but has a wedgier, more dairy-cow
confirmation.
Milking Shorthorns have the same bloodlines as beef Shorthorns. They originated in
northeast England from the dual-purpose Shorthorn.
This breed of cattle began to be cross bred with a beefy Scottish Shorthorn. Those farmers
raising the non-cross bred Shorthorns began to emphasize the dairy qualities.
In 1885, an Englishman named Thomas Bates further refined the dairy traits.
But, both types of Shorthorns shared the same herdbook until 1944, at which time the American
Milking Shorthorn got its own, separate, herdbook.
Milking Shorthorns are very hardy, adapting well to cold and hot climates.
They are considered good grazers.
The average weight of a Milking Shorthorn cow is 1,400 pounds.
