Advantages of Texas Longhorn Cattle – a Guideline
What are Texas Longhorn Cattle used for? – back to the basics…..
So you’ve been thinking about getting a couple of Texas Longhorn Cattle.
They are beautiful and majestic but it’s not like you can try them out for a couple of weeks, assess the advantages and disadvantages and then change your mind. Above all, what are they used for? Don’t Texas Longhorn Cattle have a reputation of being difficult to handle? and those horns can get really long and in the way.
Maybe you’ve had experience with other breeds of cattle or maybe you are not familiar with cattle at all.
Whatever your circumstances, we think you will agree that you need to be as sure as you can be that Texas Longhorn cattle are for you, that your objectives are met and that the advantages are beneficial to you, before you even look at what’s available to purchase.
WHERE DO YOU START?
When you break it down, the consideration is quite simple. After almost 20 years with our Texas Longhorn cattle herd, we can say with confidence that it really depends on what you want to accomplish.
This may seem overly simplistic but for those that stick it out, including us to a degree, many Texas longhorn cattle owners change the nature of their initially purchased herd, sometimes at great expense. The thing is that there are a number of different uses for Texas longhorn cattle and we cover all these uses on this page, so read on……..
THE PROBLEM IS THAT IN THE BEGINNING, YOU OFTEN DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW
Let’s face it, the one obvious advantage that Texas Longhorn cattle have is that they are stunning to look at. Unlike many other breeds, there are no two animals alike, unless you buy a clone. They are therefore easy to tell apart. What’s more, another advantage, if you love Texas, is that Texas longhorn cattle are inherently TEXAS!
Apart from the above, though, Texas Longhorn cattle as an investment can get real expensive. To date, the highest purchase price paid for a Longhorn is $700 000.00, for HR Rosetta at the Herdsman Legends Sale, in September 2022
Now, we’re not saying that everyone will strive to set new records. All the same, whatever your budget is, expenses do add up and mistakes can be costly as is the case with all farming activities.
Were you that person, or do you know someone who studied for a diploma or a degree, qualified, only to follow a different occupation?
It turns out that many of us pursue another career path, other than what we studied. In a funny way, the same is true for Texas Longhorn cattle ranchers. You don’t want to be the Texas longhorn owner who doesn’t stick it out for the long haul. OR, even worse, that rancher who buys a longhorn herd that is of no use to you in the long run.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF AVENUES YOUR TEXAS LONGHORN CATTLE JOURNEY CAN FOLLOW.
Stay with us for a moment longer. Most paths you take will certainly be rewarding with many inherent advantages. And, although having a Texas Longhorn in your pasture may exceed your expectations overall, the longhorn you land up with may not necessarily turn out to be what you hoped for if that longhorn falls short of your objectives.
As it happens, it’s interesting to bear in mind that what constitutes a great Texas Longhorn is fairly subjective. What one Texas longhorn cattle breeder views as an advantage may not necessarily be an advantage to you.
HISTORICALLY, the foundation families who’s ranching efforts saved the breed, maintained Texas Longhorn cattle for different reasons from each other. In other words, the foundation families of the longhorn breed had different uses for their longhorn herds. Ultimately, their longhorn cattle had differing characteristics from each other.
Similarly, modern day Texas longhorn breeders breed for an assortment of different uses, characteristics and features depending on their own preferences and considerations of what a Texas Longhorn should be used for and what they consider to be advantages of Texas longhorn Cattle.
TO CLARIFY, YOU CAN SAVE TIME, EFFORT AND VERY POSSIBLY – MONEY, IF YOU CHOSE A TEXAS LONGHORN CATTLE HERD FROM A RANCH WHERE YOU KNOW YOUR OBJECTIVES ARE MATCHED OR AT THE VERY LEAST, SIMILAR.
Make no mistake, there are ranchers out there who have been involved in the industry for many more years than we have and who run larger Texas Longhorn cattle herds, Additionally, many are actively involved in the various associations.
We are continuously learning from our own experiences and from others. In doing so we have realized that the advantage or advantages you perceived from your Texas longhorn cattle is/are fundamentally dependent on a few basic principles that many ranchers OVERLOOK.
It’s amazing how many brush this aside as common sense and overlook the process which essentially starts by assessing your OBJECTIVES.
Below, and with no obligation to you, we have outlined a step-by-step guide highlighting what Texas Longhorn cattle are used for.
Additionally, we have consolidated relevant articles, good reads and miscellaneous information that will help to make your informed decisions regarding Texas Longhorn Cattle.
Our experience with Texas Longhorn cattle continues to be magical – below are some pointers to ensure yours is too.
** Additional Good Reads **
