Cattle : TEXAS LONGHORN

 

Australian Status:  

Country of origin : Texas, United States of America.

International status: USA, Canada, Australia, Brazil

Arrived in Australia: 1985 brought in by Patrick Holt, two bulls and two heifers from H bar R ranches in Montana USA, plus straws from Canada - details in link below.

Australian Population: 2019: less than 750 females. 2022: estimate  800 females.
To be monitored five years from 2022 to be sure they increase before being taken off the Recovering listing.

HIstory: Evolved in Texas and northern Mexico from rangy cattle taken to South America by the Conquistadors from Spain. Before long they went to northern America, many taken with Spanish missions. Mexicans had them in Texas on widespread ranches, until the people were driven out by new colonisers, to whom the cattle were a boon. Next, after the American civil war they proved a Godsend as people returned to ruined farms finding the cattle had survived happily on the range alone; becoming a much needed food source. Taken in thousands up the old pioneering trails to other states, they have all the romance of the old cowboy days and pioneers. Used also for draught, they pulled the wagons of the Oregon trail and helped settlers plough fields, haul timber and take goods to market.

The Uni of Texas has studied the genomes of these cattle tracing them to the Moor era of Spain.

Having to survive on tough rangelands gave them good survival traits, able to utilise all sorts of rough feed, and common sense. It is the only breed to have developed in, and adapted to, American conditions. After the destruction of the Bison, they spread north with farmers to vast grasslands. Once fences were introduced, imported beef breeds were put to them that radically changed the old breed by 1900 - people also wanted fat on their cattle to make candles and soap. They were derided as mad, bad and difficult to know, being strong range cattle, not fat paddock slugs. Once in the millions, the lean lanky Longhorn was doomed. But they were saved from extinction by the American government setting aside wildlife refuges for them, in 1927, first in Oklahoma then Nebraska. The gathering of this first herd from the remnants left is a wonderful story in itself, the coming together of many dedicated people, two of whom spent months by rail and horseback including in arid prickly pear country, looking at thousands with old cattlemen, until they found enough of the right sorts in Texas to take to the refuge - they saved the breed. In 1964 a breed organisation was formed which further stopped extinction.

A herd is still maintained at the original sanctuary of Witcha Mountains Wildlife Refuge. A marvellous lesson in saving a rare and valuable old breed, and how crucial government support is. The President at the time was Calvin Coolidge.

Breed traits: Famous for their long elegant horns which go out horizonal then sweep gracefully up with the tips going outward again. A beef breed desirable for its lean beef. The cows and steers tend to grow slightly longer horns than the bulls. A delightful range of coat colours and patterns preserve many old cattle patterns. Solid colours, roan, patches, spots, speckles and brindle are all seen, with the old saying "no two are alike" it adds interest to the herd and they are attractive to look at, while having a camouflage for safety and sun protection. 

Long in the body and deep through, although not wide across. Surprisingly good carcass yield.

Calving ease as low birth weight - studies proving them the best of all cattle breeds for calving unassisted. High fertility. Hardy. Excellent mothers. Early maturing, both males and females can be bred at a young age; however for slaughter they take longer to grow out than most breeds. The later slaughter age gives a full flavoured meat, that remains tender. Popular to cross with dairy cows, particularly maidens, for ease of calving.

Very long lived, productive into their twenties, this breed has preserved many desirable old traits lost in commercial breeds, and is regarded as a "genetic gold-mine" (Dept. of Animal Science, Oklahoma State Uni., from which some info herein also sourced) . Uni of Texas studies proved their resistance to pinkeye, bovine bloat, and immunity to tansy ragwort (a common weed there, Senecio jacobaea).

The naturally lean meat is remarkably healthy with Omega 3 in the grass fed animals too - being very low in saturated fats and cholesterol.  Studies have proven this, and the low fat, low calorie, quality of the meat. Amazingly - less saturated fat than skinned chicken! For this reason they are popular to cross with other beef breeds, for healthier meat of less saturated fat and less cholesterol. They also have the least amount of oelic acid compared to other breeds particularly feedlot cattle (Uni Texas study).  Being pasture raised helps maintain these healthy qualities of Longhorn meat, particularly the uptake of Omega 3 from plants which then goes into the meat, making it healthier for us - Longhorns provide an excellent supply of ALA (alpha linolenic acid, Omega 3) in the beef. They also have more CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) than other breeds on grass, which helps prevent cancer, strengthens the immune system, helps prevent diabetes and several other important healthy attributes. Many people have turned to Longhorns purely for the health aspects. They also supply Vitamin E from pasture feeding.

The hides and horns yield another valuable return for breeders. Once horn was valuable for many items, these days decor is a good market. The hides are huge, providing much leather, or a very attractive floor rug. Some animals with very long horns fetch thousands of dollars simply for their horns, particularly when near record-breaking length. Being picturesque, farm tours are another useful income and a 'trophy steer' is often kept for his horns in the front paddock, to attract photographers and visitors.

Intelligent, gentle natured cattle, ideal for tough country, a big country breed, being long legged with tough feet and good strong teeth; wise, heat tolerant, parasite and disease resistant and hardy foragers. And hey, good looking!

Organisation: Texas Longhorns Australia, established 2008, their Registry started 2012 http://www.texaslonghornsaustralia.com.au/

Additional Notes:

an ABRI breed

Texas Longhorn Enterprises - excellent history of introducing the breed to Australia.

Photo: Southern Cross Sir Don, Texas Longhorn bull belonging to Yennel Longhorns of Gunns Plains, Tasmania, used with their kind permission. 

Page by Janet Lane

 

---

 

Back to Cattle