The Texas Longhorn cattle are an exceptional breed of cattle used primarily for meat production. The breed is known mainly for it’s characteristic very long horns. Their horns are not usual like most other cattle breeds.
The horns of Texas Longhorn cattle can extend to over 6.9 ft (2.1 m) tip to tip for steers and exceptional cows, and 5.9 ft (1.8 m) tip to tip for bulls.
They have been a fixture of life in Texas beginning with the earliest missions established by the Spanish when they first arrived. Those early settlers brought their resistant and tough cattle with them.
And roots of those tough and resistant cattle went back to the south of Spain. The settlers used to use their cattle for hides, meat, milk and for oxen. Political control f Texas switched to Anglos in the 1830s.[1]
Cattle management essentially ceased so that cattle ran totally free during the Civil War. And vast herds become the source of Texan wealth and recovery after the war. Because cattle were trailed north for satisfying the demand for meat that came with industrialization and a growing nation.
The Texas Longhorn cattle breed declined in popularity in the 1900s. During that time, improved European, British and Indian cattle breeds were imported to the region for boosting meat production.
This influx of new breeds has very nearly caused the extinction of many of today’s heritage breeds. But fortunately, the Texas Longhorn cattle breed has always been connected with Texan identity. And some breeder always kept the herds going. However, read more information about the Texas Longhorn cattle breed below.
Texas Longhorn Cattle Characteristics
Texas Longhorn cattle are relatively smaller sized animals. The breed shares traits and appearances with many Criollo breeds from throughout the Americas that descend from the same roots.
Their coat color vary, with attractively speckled hides occurring as often as solid colors. The Texas Longhorn cattle are rangey, and both bulls and cows have long twisty horns. Average weight of the animals is between 272 and 545 kg.
Uses
Texas Longhorn cattle were used for many purposes previously. But now they are used for meat production.
Special Notes
The Texas Longhorn cattle are tough and resistant breed of cattle. They are very active and hardy, but docile in temperament. They are also valued for their reproductive abilities, and longevity.
The Texas Longhorn cattle are often used for crossbreeding other cattle breeds. And crossbreeding with British, European and Indian breeds results in great hybrid vigor in the offspring. Review full breed profile of this breed in the following table.
| Breed Name | Texas Longhorn |
| Other Name | None |
| Breed Purpose | Meat, Milk |
| Special Notes | Hardy, Active, Docile |
| Breed Size | Small to Medium |
| Bulls | Between 272 and 545 kg |
| Cows | Between 272 and 545 kg |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
| Coat Color | Coat color vary, with attractively speckled hides occurring as often as solid colors |
| Horned | Yes |
| Milk Yield | Poor |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | United States |
Very beautiful and big animals.