Longhorn Cattle: Rugged and Beautiful
The Texas Longhorn is making a major come back in today’s beef industry. The same characteristics that the Texas Longhorn developed through the years of neglect are in demand by the cattleman of the twentieth century. Longhorns are valued for their calving ease,fertility,disease resistance,and longevity.
Texas Longhorn cows can calve well into their teens,and more calves mean more profit to today’s livestock industry. The breed is adaptable to any climate,doing well in the hot humid climate of the Florida coast to the cold winters of the northern United States and Canada. It also forages on minimum pasture.
Longhorns thrive,even in harsh conditions. Longhorns work extremely well in crossbreeding programs. Crossbreeds are being developed to take full advantage of the breed’s best characteristics. Longhorns are being crossed with Mexican corrientes for roping cattle. The Texas Longhorn genetics are in demand in today’s beef market for the lean meat they provide. With the public’s concern today about fat in the diet,this breed of cattle can provide naturally lean beef. Research from Texas A&M University has shown that Texas longhorn steaks ( Longhorn Lean) have about 30% less muscle fat.
Contrary to the wild stampedes seen on television,the Texas Longhorn is a very docile and easy to work with. Men and women can work the cattle on foot as well as horseback,and show long horned cattle in the show ring. Once the animals become accustomed to being driven or worked,they are very tractable.
The longhorn has proven itself to be beautiful,rugged,and useful in the modern day western world.
