Attributes of the Texas Longhorn cattle breed

European cattle have been genetically manipulated for countless centuries to produce copious amount of body fat or “tallow”, which was important to manufacturing candles, the only source of lighting for many years. Breeding also focused on growing large hides from which clothing, tools and household goods were made. Beef was really a secondary consideration. The breeding history of Texas Longhorn cattle is quite different.

Unlike their European relatives, the breed known today as Texas Longhorns trace their genetic roots to North Africa, where they are closely related to Masai, Zulu and Watusi cattle. African breeds were selected with an emphasis on stamina, endurance and disease and pest resistance and prolific procreation. Added to these important differences in genetics, only the fittest survived untended in the American wild west for 400 years. What evolved was a tenacious breed unique to our country.

Longhorns have been called the most intelligent breed of cattle. As a holdover of their experience in the wilderness, they are independent, observant and cautious and can be quite fierce. This last quality gives them a reputation as being difficult to work with, but Longhorns just need a different approach.  Working Longhorns requires patience and a calm attitude.

Once you have raised Longhorns, you won’t go back to Angus or Herefords again. Longhorns don’t graze only on the best grass, but will scrounge for feed that other breeds wouldn’t consider. Longhorns will graze on willows and other trees, and will even eat poison oak and prickly pear cactus if feed is in short supply. They will thrive on land that other cattle can’t even climb.

Longhorns are excellent mothers. The calf weights at birth are light, but that grow rapidly on milk rich in butterfat. Longhorns are known for ease of birthing, always brings home a live calf. A Longhorn cow will hide her calf in the brush for several days until it is strong enough to follow her, as a result the calf can be really hard to find! A calf will only be allowed to nurse from it’s own mother. All the cows take turns “babysitting” the calve, so the other mothers can drink and feed. Should anything threaten the “babysitter” she will bellow so the others will come running. Longhorn cows circle their calves like musk oxen, their horns pointing to the outside of the circle.  Longhorns have trampled coyotes to protect offspring. A mothering Longhorn can be quite dangerous when protecting her calf.

With their natural immunity to many diseases and pests, easy calving and unfussy feeding habits, Longhorns are “low cost” cattle. Longhorn bulls are prized for their libidos, commonly breeding 50 – 100 cows each year, compared to 20-30 cows for other breed. Longhorn bulls are preferred to crossbreed 1^st year heifers of other breeds where the ease of calving trait is an advantage. The University of Texas has documented that a Longhorn steer gains 3 pounds a day, just like any other breed in a feedlot. Calves are sought after as ropers.

Longhorns produce naturally lean beef. While marbling in the meat, which provided good flavor, is about the same as other breeds, there is little fat. Back fat is almost non-existent (over an inch in other breeds) and the beef contains about 5 percent fat, less that chicken and some fish.

A non-commercial aspect of the Longhorn breed is the diversity en the genetic nature if the animal.  It is difficult to know what coloring the hide of a calf will be. Although genetic traits can be encouraged, outcome is never certain. The sweep of the horns and disposition are unique. Each animal is an individual.