What is a Texas Longhorn?

A breed that has endured some of the toughest of times and conditions, the Texas Longhorn cattle gave meaning to the term "survival of the fittest".

Hardy, agressive, and adaptable. Texas Longhorns were suited to face the challenges of life on the ranges of the southwestern region of the United States. They survived on the most primitive land and conditions and became the foundation stock of the southwest cattle industry.

Refined by nature, these "historic" animals offer much more than a popular romantic nostalgia to breeders. Shaped by a combination of natural selection and adaptation to the environment, the Texas Longhorn is considered to be the only breed of cattle that is literally adapted to America.

History of the Texas Longhorn

Over 500 years ago, the Texas Longhorn became the foundation of the American cattle industry. Since the time when Chrisotpher Columbus brought Spanish cattle to Santo Domingo in 1493, and later on as their descendants grazed the ranges of Mexico, the Texas Longhorn breed has claimed a heritage unmatched by any other.

In 1690, the first herd of 200 head were driven northward from Mexico to a mission near the Sabine River in an area later to be known as the State of Texas. That was only the beginning of a breed that would someday help preserve and become synoymous with the "Old West".

Nearly 300 years after setting foot in America, millions of Texas Longhorns ranged from the mequite-dotted sandy banks of the Rio Bravo to the sandbeds of the Sabine. Most of the Texas Longhorn cattle at that time were unbranded usrvivors of the Indian Raids, scattered by stampedes and weather, escaped from missions or abandoned from ranch failures.

In the next quarter century, 10 million head were trailed northward to the midwestern grasslands, while still more were shipped eastward. Texas Longhorns were noted for their endurance and resistance to disease and hardship. They were durable and able to withstand long trail drives, and could survive incredible distances without water, fend for themselves for food and shelter, swim the rivers and survive the hot desert sun and the cold winter snow.

But, by the turn of the century, demand for the Texas Longhorn breed began to fade. It took less than 40 years of fenced-in land, plows and the demand for imported English breeds to drive the Texas Longhorn closer to extinction than the buffalo.

In 1927, the Federal government came to the rescue of the Texas Longhorn breed to help preserve its heritage and insure its survival. Congress apprpriated $3,000 and appointed two forest service rangers, Will C. Barnes and John H. Hatton, to aid in the task.

These two men put together the first herd for the Wichita Mountains Wildlife REfuge in Oklahoma. Others followed suit and gradually, more breeders began to produce private stock, recognizing the true value of the Texas Longhorn and the need to combine their efforst in supporting the breed and its standards progressively towards the future.

Why Texas Longhorns?

In today's cattle business, cattlemen need a breed to cattle that can perform cost-effectively. Texas Longhorns have already proven their ability to survive time and change. In doing so, they have also proven that they not only produce a vigorous calf in almost any condition, but also produce a carcass that yields the quality and cutability to stay competitive in the marketplace.

A breed unique from any other, Texas Longhorns have helped pave the way for the future of the cattle business while preserving their own uniqueness as a breed and as a trendsetter towards lean beef. Texas Longhorns - an old breed with a new future!

A Trait Leader in the Industry

Texas Longhorns are becoming "fashionable" in the beef industry as more and more cattlemen are recognizing that Texas Longhorns are more than just a unique breed with a link to that romantic western heritage. Texas Longhorn cattle ar emaking a significant impact, contributing to improved genetics aimed at meeting health-conscious consumer demands in the marketplace.

Genetic Diversity

The Texas Longhorn has been described by many leading cattlemen as a "genetic gold mine". A breed that has established its own character and uniqueness, it has also handed down and contributed to the cattle industry a superior genetic package of calving ease, high fertility, hardiness, vigor, leanness, adaptability, endurance, efficiency and longevity.

From the pasture...to the feedlot...to the rail...Texas Longhorn cattle prove themselves time and time again to serious cattlemen looking for a breed that can work best for them.

Calving Ease

Texas Longhorns and calving ease go hand in hand. No other breed can compete with the Texas Longhorn's ability to almost guarantee a live calf on the gound and, just as important, reduce calving stress on the first-calf heifer.

Calving problems are considered almost nonexistent with Texas Longhorn cows. They give birth unassisted to healthy calves that are on the ground and off to a good start. Combined with the good "mothering instinct" of the Texas Longhorn cow, a live healthy calf means efficiency and profits to the producer.

Consequently, Texas Longhorn bulls have been used successfully on first-calf heifers in many cattle operations. One of the few breeds that can insure safe calving ease, Texas Longhorns carry economic importance to the producer.

Adaptability

Environmental adaptation to hot and cold climates is another major attribute of Texas Longhorn cattle. From the hot Texas sun to the cold Canadian winters, Texas Longhorns thrive and survive in almost any condition with minimal maintenance. A breed that has outlived the toughest of economic and environmental conditions, Texas Longhorns not only survived, but thrived!

Resistance

Evolved through natural selection, only the hardiest cattle have survived in the Texas Longhorn breed over the centuries.

The Texas Longhorn's genetic resistance to certain diseases and parasites reduces losses and cuts down on the cost of produce a pound of beef...the bottom line when it comes to beef production.

Meeting Consumer Demands Through Crossbreeding

History has proven that the Texas Longhorn cross consistenlty produces a beef carcass which is lean and free from excess fat coverage, while still maintaining the overall palatability of the USDA Choice Quality Grade. Research shows that 85-95% of Texas Longhorns crossed with other breeds grade at least Choice. Texas Longhorns produce the type of meat today's cook demands...lean, tender, flavorful beef! And Texas Longhorns do it with an efficiency unmatched by any other breed in the industry. Efficient production of beef means profits to the producer and satisfaction to the consumer.

Preserving the Texas Longhorn

With its increased popularity in the cattle industry and careful management by TLBAA members, the Texas Longhorn breed is increasing in numbers. Continuing promotion by the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America is also helping to secure the cattle's future. You can beccome a part of this worthwhile endeavor by becoming a Texas Longhorn breeder and an active member of the Association.

If time or location limits your becoming a cattleman at this time, you can still be involved with this fascinating breed. Memberships in the Texas Longhorn Breeders Foundation are available to those who want to ensure that the breed never again becomes an endangered species and that the history and economic importance of the Texas Longhorn is always available to future generations.

This information was provided by the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America, 2315 N. Main Suite 402, Fort Worth, TX 76106.