Logo of Merrill Farms, established in 2002, featuring a red barn and gray building design within a circular emblem.
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Logo of Merrill Farms, established in 2002, featuring a red barn and gray building design within a circular emblem.

Our Cattle

A herd of brown cows grazing in a lush green pasture under a cloudy sky, with a red barn and farm buildings visible in the background.

Registered Shorthorn Beef Cattle

We have a small herd of registered Shorthorn cattle, many of our freezer beef animals come from these cows and are born right here on our farm. The remaining calves are purchased at weaning from neighboring farms and vary in breed including Angus, Hereford, Shorthorn, Simmental, and crossbred. We have selected all of these breeds because they excel in carcass quality characteristics such as marbling, flavor and tenderness.

Our Products

Our Herd

The Shorthorn breed is the oldest beef breed in the US. Shorthorn cattle like all British-based breeds excel in qualities that are very important to us, marbling and tenderness (carcass quality), maternal ability, and temperament. Our breeding focuses on these characteristics.

Our herd sires are selected for maternal strength, marbling, moderate birth weight, and growth. We do utilize some AI but we invest in high-quality herd bulls that breed the majority of the cow herd.

Our breeding cows are not pampered, they are expected to calve unassisted (obviously we assist if necessary) and raise their calves on hay and pasture only (free choice minerals are provided), and they are not fed any grain. Poor temperaments are not tolerated and females are expected to maintain a yearly calving interval. Since we retain all of our steer calves to raise for freezer beef or junior fair projects we breed for these real-world traits. We offer heifer calves, bred heifers bred cows, and occasionally bulls for sale.

Brown cow standing in a grassy field under a partly cloudy sky, showcasing rural farming life and livestock grazing.

Carbon Girl 185E

Pedigree Coming Soon
Brown and white speckled cow standing in a pen, grazing on hay, with another cow lying down nearby. The pen is surrounded by wooden fencing, indicating a livestock setting.

Mildred 2409SD

Pedigree Coming Soon
Two brown cattle resting on hay in a barn, with one standing and the other lying down. Both animals are wearing red and white halters, and the barn features wooden walls and straw bedding.

Jane 2412M

Pedigree Coming Soon
A group of brown cows grazing in a lush green field, with a calf standing close to its mother. The background features trees and farmland, showcasing a serene rural landscape.

Beckler Katrina 24G

Pedigree Coming Soon
Brown and white spotted cow standing in a barn filled with straw, with another cow partially visible in the background. The cow is tied with a rope and is facing to the side, showcasing its distinctive markings and a rustic farming environment.

Precious Victoria 2304M

Pedigree Coming Soon
Brown cow standing in a barn with straw on the floor, showcasing its healthy condition and rustic farm environment.

Golden Girl 2306GR

Pedigree Coming Soon
Brown and white spotted cow standing in a grassy field, with a red barn and trees in the background, showcasing a serene rural landscape.

Byland Eclipse 6U55

Pedigree Coming Soon
Brown bull standing on a farm with trees in the background, showcasing its muscular build and ear tag number 66.

Byland Hoss 2T1

Pedigree Coming Soon
Brown beef cattle standing in a grassy field with trees in the background, showcasing its healthy physique and breed characteristics. Ideal for agricultural and livestock-related content.

Carbon King 2313M

Pedigree Coming Soon
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Available Livestock

We maintain 20-25 head of registerd Shothorn females and offer bred heifers/cows in the fall after confirmation of pregnancy. We do occasionally offer bulls which will be posted in spring after they have passed their BSE. We also typically consign cattle to the Ohio Shorthorn Breeders Association fall sale (usually in October) the sale is called "Ohio Fall Shorthorn Showcase Sale". Click here to see all our available livestock or click on the image below.

Contact us for more information >>

Brown cow standing in a grassy field with a fence in the background, surrounded by trees displaying autumn colors.

Heifers

A group of brown cows grazing in a lush green pasture, with a calf nursing from its mother, surrounded by trees and open fields.

Bred Females

Brown beef cattle standing on green grass in a sunny pasture, showcasing its muscular build and healthy coat.

Bulls

A brown cow stands next to two people at the Lorain County Fair, with a colorful backdrop featuring a barn and decorative flowers. The scene captures a sunny day at the fair, highlighting agricultural exhibits and community engagement.
Brown cows grazing in a lush green field surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage, with trees displaying red, orange, and yellow leaves under a cloudy sky.
Brown cow standing on green grass in a farm setting, showcasing its healthy physique and tranquil environment.
Brown cows grazing in a lush green field with red barns in the background, surrounded by colorful autumn trees under a cloudy sky.
Brown cows grazing in a lush green field with a cloudy sky in the background, featuring a red barn and farmhouses in the distance.
A peaceful farm scene featuring several brown cows grazing and resting in a green pasture near a pond, with a red barn and white buildings in the background under a cloudy sky.
Two calves, one with a speckled coat and the other solid brown, stand in a lush green pasture under a clear blue sky, with other cattle grazing in the background.
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