Zenith Shorthorns

Zenith Shorthorns, Performance Bred Shorthorns, Our cattle are bred to work in the paddock but also have the traits that will make them attractive to feedlot buyers. Selection of the bulls is based on performance with the main criteria being the Shorthorn Export Maternal Index (EMI). This index estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined for a commercial herd (self replacing herd run in a temperate environment) targeting steers that are fed for the for the Japanese market. It balances selection across all EBVs supplying a single value to make your bull selection easier. For those who may not be producing steers that are feedlot finished, the Supermarket and Restaurant Index values are also presented. Zenith believes that one of the most economically important performance criteria is the production of a live calf. To this end there is considerable pressure on lighter birthweights and calving ease. Calving ease is addressed in the EMI but Zenith applies a further constraint that no extreme birthweight bull will be kept. Our philosophy is that high birthweights are dangerous even if the bull is only used over mature cows and causes little or no trouble in the first year. If you retain his heifers they themselves will have genetic potential for high birthweights that may cause calving difficulties at their first attempt to calve, even if mated to a light birthweight bull