Yeah, one of my commercial buyers uses a Shaver bull on the females he buys from us. It's got a lot of breeds in it, including Red Poll, Hereford, Shorthorn and others. His bull is a little on the lean side and is pretty flat-sided, but the calves grow like bad weeds.
I found a site for the breed in New Zealand. Turns out that that bull on the front page looks almost identical to the one that my buyer runs. Long and lean.
http://www.shaverbeef.co.nz/content.php?content.1
Don Shaver developed the breed (much like Harry Hays with Hays Converter). I guess Don called it quits though, as I found his auction listing on the Net. Don used to have a website with the history of the breed, but no point anymore I guess.
Clearing Auction Of Three Separate Parcels of Farmland; Farm Equipment; Shaver Beefblend cows and bulls; Feed; Household and Miscellaneous items held 6 km. north of Milverton on Rd. 119, then west on Line 76 to Fire #4688 on: Wednesday, March 22 at 10 a.m. FARM 1: This farm known as East Half Lot 5 Line 76 Mornington twp is approx. 100 acres with approx 84 acres workable and 4 acres hardwood bush. Situated on this farm is a modern 120 ft. x 76 ft. steel clad barn with 12 ft. centre feed alley suitable for approx. 200 head with attached 80 ft. x 70 ft. covered manure storage area and a 30 ft. x 20 ft. processing area. Water for this versatile set-up is supplied from a drilled well. FARM 2: This farm known as West Half Lot 6 Line 76 of Mornington twp is approx. 100 acres with approx. 90 acres workable and 6 acres bush. Situated on this farm is a two storey double brick 4 bedroom home with 20 ft. x 26 ft. newer family room, new cherry kitchen and two complete bathrooms. The large L shaped bank barn with attached lean is set up with loose pens and has grain and hay storage above. The 26 ft. x 62 ft. shed is partially insulated. There is also a 40 ft. x 80 ft. hay shed with concrete floor and two 5000 bu. steel granaries with aeration flooring. Water is supplied form a drilled well. FARM 3: This farm known as East Half Lot 6 and Part West Half Lot 7 Line 76 in Mornington twp is approx. 118 acres with approx. 70 acres workable. Situated on this farm is an aluminum clad 1 1/2 storey, 3 bedroom frame home, with two full bathrooms. This farm also has a stocked bass pond and would be an ideal farm for someone looking to built their dream home. NOTE: To view these farms, call Don at (519) 621-1719. Each farm will be offered separate and farms one and two will also be offered as a package. Properties will be offered at 1 p.m. TERMS ON PROPERTIES: 10% down payment day of sale. Balance in 60 days. Selling subject to reasonable reserve. Full list of equipment, cattle and feed to follow. Proprietor: Don Shaver and Shaver Beef Breeding Farms Ltd. (519) 621-1719 AUCTIONEER: Doug Jacob (519) 271-7894 and Gerber Auctions (519) 699-4451 `
