Texas Longhorn Cattle is a race that has existed for centuries, its origin is the product of a cross between the race Retina or Blanca Cacereña. Brought by the Spanish, and races brought by the colonizers in the 1820s. Their number increase considerably during the 1870s. Where they occupy the region of the Great Plains, as a result of the great massacres of Bisons and the settlement of settlers in the meadows.
From this time comes the figure of the cowboy or cowboy, who were responsible for their care and transport to slaughterhouses. With the appearance of the barbed wire and the enclosure of the land, the race was losing popularity until almost disappearing in the 1920s. Only a small herd managed to survive in Oklahoma on the initiative of the United States Forest Service.
Some Texas ranchers expressed interest in maintaining the breed because of its historical interest. So they started raising her in her state, hence her name Texas longhorn, although her original name was only Longhorn. You may also like to read Limousin Cattle.
Throughout history, these cattle have proven to be very resistant, surviving the elements, as well as almost extinct. Today, the Longhorn population continues to grow because ranchers are breeding their own strains of Texas Longhorn.
Characteristics of Texas Longhorn
Texas Longhorn Cattle are a medium-sized breed, which means they have good size. The growth of this race is related to the environment that surrounds it. And this is because they go in search of their food in open spaces. They do not have much skin, and the legs of this species are long, characteristic that favors it to travel long distances.
The primordial characteristic by which it is recognized from afar is by the size of its horns. These can measure between 120 and 180 cm. long. Both sexes of this species have horns. In the male, the horns grow lateral, and are located above the ears, and have a moderate inclination towards the front, and upwards.
On the other hand, the horns of the female are shorter, in the same way, they grow to the lateral ones but the inclination goes more towards the sides and upwards. It can be any color or mix of colors but dominate the combinations of dark red and white. They have sturdy bodies and long legs and these make them good for driving.
This breed is generally smaller than most carnivorous breeds. They have known positive economic characteristics:
- Easy delivery
- Resistance to diseases
- Longevity and high fertility
- They survive but thrive in marginal and poor-quality pastures, where other races go hungry.
The Longhorn was considered mature at age ten when it reached an average weight of 600 kilos and needed to feed about 4 hectares of good grass per year. And it takes 15 years to mature if the land where it feeds is arid and covered with weeds. You may also like to read Simmental Cattle.
Food
Texas Longhorn Cattle will eat a greater variety of plants and grasses than any other cattle. Breeders should have a large space filled with bush, trees, and shrubs similar to those that deer eat. Therefore this breed will make greater use of the available plant material to convert body weight and reduce the need for food that will be supplied to them.
Usage
Texas Longhorn Cattle It is a breed recognized for its lean meat which has a high price on the market. Meat has less muscle fat and less saturated fat than beef from British cattle breeds. You may also like to read Dexter Cattle.
Special Feature
Texas Longhorn Cattle has sexual precocity for the first time at fifteen months of age and then has a calf every year until he is 16 years old. Due to their qualities, they are often crossed with other carnivorous breeds, producing easier calvings, lower incidence of diseases and larger calves.
They have a little production capacity very long life. Longhorns are more resistant to common livestock diseases, such as conjunctivitis and foot rot. This means that few veterinary visits and fewer vaccines reduce the cost of supplies. Due to the resistant nature of the Longhorns, they do not require a stable in search of shelter.
They do very well, even in winter when they have no protection against the wind. And in the summertime, they only need some trees to take shelter from the sun. The crossing of long-horned cattle of other breeds of meat introduces the hybrid vigor in which it results out of spring.
This means that the calves that are derived from the cross will grow faster and have characteristics that make them generally do better.
FAQ
What is the Texas Longhorn?
The Texas Longhorn is a breed of cattle that is best known for its characteristic large horns and unique characteristics. There are several defining features of the Texas Longhorn. One such feature, which sets them apart from other breeds, is their tremendous size. Generally ranging between 1,000 to 2,000 pounds, they can easily be identified by their tall stature and lengthy horns. In fact, some specimens boast horns measuring up to seven feet in length! But despite their enormous proportions and remarkable appearance, they remain quite docile compared to many other bovines.
Where did the Texas Longhorn come from?
The Texas Longhorn is a breed of cattle that originated in the United States. It is believed to be descended from Spanish longhorn cattle, which were brought to the Nuevo Santander region of northern Mexico by settlers in the 16th and 17th centuries. These cattle were then interbred with local stock and wild mustangs, creating a unique strain of livestock which eventually became known as “the Texas Longhorn.”
How big do Texas Longhorns get?
Texas Longhorns are a cattle breed that originated in Texas during the early 1800s. They are renowned for their impressive size, and also because they can weigh anywhere between 1,000 and 2,200 pounds! The horns of Texas Longhorns can measure up to 4 feet long (121 cm).
Conclusion
The Texas Longhorn is a breed of cattle known for its characteristic horns, which can extend to over 100 inches tip-to-tip. They are descendants of the first cattle introduced in the New World by explorer Christopher Columbus and Spanish colonists. These animals were initially brought over as food sources but have since been bred into their own distinct species with many variations within that broad category. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck on your next adventure!
As a reference: Wikipedia
