Are Texas Longhorn Cattle Profitable? Part Two. The Oxford Dictionary defines the word PROFITABLE in two ways,
- •’yielding profit or financial gain – e.g. a profitable Company’
- •beneficial, useful – e.g. he had a profitable day.’
Accordingly, we believe that to fully answer the question, Are Texas Longhorn Cattle Profitable? one blog is just not enough!!
Our previous blog post was titled
Are Texas Longhorn Cattle profitable? An overview
The very essence of the word ‘profitability’ implies financial gain. So we zoomed in on the financial benefits of Texas Longhorn Cattle, or lack thereof to determine whether or not Texas Longhorn Cattle are profitable. After all, no one doubts the importance of “Moolah” on decisions.
Nevertheless, as important as finances are to one’s success, we believe there is another reason, perhaps even more impactful to weigh in on.
Are Texas Longhorn Cattle profitable? Part Two
In this article, profitability has a broader meaning. As it turns out, many of our customers with young families purchase their first longhorns, in the hopes that their children will profit from them, by learning skills such as responsibility, discipline, empathy, and the likes. We did the same for our son, and he is a veterinarian and thankfully, he loves his chosen vocation.
We truly believe that animals teach us important life lessons. If you do too and believe in the positive influence and benefit of animals in our lives, you may be happy to read the stories below. These are stories of awesome young adults who are profiting with and in some respects, because of Texas Longhorn cattle. We have the fortune of telling their stories.
The impact of Texas Longhorn Cattle on young adults….. the different ways they profit individual lives.
EMMA
Similar to all the stories you will read below, we met Emma through our mutual love of longhorns. She is quiet and understated but don’t underestimate her. Emma has a plan and she knows what she wants.
Emma is currently studying Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Production at Tarleton State University in Stephenville. Her journey with longhorns started at a young age. As Emma recalls,
“In my school district, there is a pretty cool field trip that almost every 2nd and 6th grader can go to at NASA. It isn’t to see rocket ships or the control panel for space missions, it’s to see longhorns! I went both times, in the second and sixth grade.”
In High School, Emma had the opportunity to join the program.
“The cool part about this program is that it gives kids a chance to work with animals like you would in FFA but the costs of the animal are taken care of by the breeders. The animals are kind of “on loan” to the program. The showman had to clean stalls, clean water buckets, halter break, write letters to the breeders, train the longhorn to show, and bond with them.
Because of the program, I have had the chance to show 14 animals and help raise three calves. I had the chance to write speeches and present them in front of breeders, NASA leaders, community members, and pretty much anyone who would listen.
I have always been a quiet person and especially in high school I was incredibly shy.
Over my two and a half years there I gained confidence in and out of the show ring. I not only gained many friends (cows and people) but I was able to gain so many life lessons, because of this program I am who I am today!”
Emma left the program just before her senior year. She was offered the opportunity to buy her steer Scooby and subsequently was offered a home for him closer to college.
Emma’s love for longhorns is evident in many ways. She has a holistic understanding of the industry, of ranch life, and a respect and admiration for the Texas Longhorn breed. Even as a student at college, she has found a way to stay involved with the industry.
“In March of 2023, the end of my sophomore year at college, I decided to start doing skulls. My parents have given me a love of art and I thought what better to do than make such beautiful animals into a piece of art for people to cherish. Because of my skull business, I have been able to meet so many incredible breeders and newfound friends. I have had the chance to work with people all over the country and I have gained so much more knowledge about the breed. I love working on skulls and seeing the smiles on people’s faces when one of their beloved animals can be preserved.”
Emma’s dream is to not only own longhorns but to own a ranch too. In addition, she is hoping to find a way to work using her degree in the longhorn industry.
Emma writes, “..from showing, to ranch work, to skulls I have been able to stay in this breed and work towards my future herd. I still have a few years before I can become a breeder myself but I cannot wait! If it weren’t for my opportunity as a youth to work with Texas Longhorns I wouldn’t have the even more amazing opportunities I have today. I couldn’t be more thankful for all of the breeders, friends, family, and cows that have made it possible for me in this community. I can’t wait to get my herd going so that I have the chance to change a kid’s life just like me!”
GRANT
Like Emma, Grant showed longhorns as a school kid. Grant got involved with Longhorns in his freshman year of high school having seen them on the show circuit at an FFA meeting.
He was hooked instantly and still believes there is no other breed like them. Around the age of 15, Grant began showing longhorns. He loved it- both the animals and the breeders he met along the way.
In fact, a few years later, after attending Trade School, a number of longhorn breeders offered Grant work opportunities to weld cattle pens and the like. One thing led to another and Grant’s involvement in the industry widened considerably. Grant is particularly passionate about the genetics of longhorns and is now fully engaged in the reproductive side of things which includes AI, amongst other things.
Perhaps most impressive is that Grant at the age of 22, runs his very own herd of about 20 Texas longhorn cattle
MITCHELL
Mitchell has wanted to have Texas longhorn cattle for many years. Mitchell’s grandfather wanted a longhorn but never actually purchased one. His grandfather built a dairy in Erath County from the ground up and is Mitchell’s inspiration to not only build his own herd of longhorns but to leave behind a legacy for the next generation.
Mitchell writes, “ I’ve wanted to have my own longhorns for many years. I’ve grown up my whole life on my family’s land so I have had experience with a lot of farm/ranch animals before.”
Speaking of his late grandfather, Mitchell writes, “He inspired me to want to be able to have my own business similar to him. But I wanted to also carve my own path with a different type of cow. While he owned the dairy my grandfather had wanted a longhorn but he never bought one because my grandma told him we didn’t need a longhorn we run a dairy. I believe a part of me wanting a Longhorn comes from him. But even before I purchased longhorns I have always loved the idea of having my own business/ranch. “
When you see what Mitchell has achieved, it’s hard to conceive that he did so at the age of 18. He promotes responsibility, determination, motivation, and focus. He did what it took to secure a starter herd of longhorns in that he built the fencing, ensured their water needs, and set aside enough financially to get the starter herd that he wanted. In addition, he purchased his herd as a school-going teenager and he did so whilst having to deal with some major health issues that required surgery. It’s remarkable that in the most adverse of circumstances, a young man like Mitchell can exude such positive vibes.
We could not be more proud of Mitchell and feel honored that he chose three of our heifers to be part of his starter longhorn herd.
Mitchell’s grandfather was an important role model in Mitchell’s life. In turn, Mitchell is an example to young kids all around that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and truly want it enough.
MCKENZIE
McKenzie is enrolled in a Master’s degree program at Tarleton State University.
She has a sincere love of rural life and everything agriculture in nature. What makes McKenzie stand out in our eyes is that she is a city kid. Unlike many young adults that we cross paths with, McKenzie did not grow up on a farm. In a lot of ways, she reminds me of my upbringing, having loved the idea of rural life but having been born and bred in a city.
McKenzie writes,
“ Being from the city, I did not have opportunities growing up to work with livestock or have agricultural experiences. I always had a strong passion for working with animals and was not sure how to apply my interests until I began school at Tarleton State University. Soon after starting school, I instantly fell in love with agriculture and began looking for opportunities to continue learning more.
During my sophomore year summer, I had my first internship at a 3,000-acre farm in Thrall, TX. While there, I learned about ranch/farm management, pasture maintenance, as well as cattle and crop care. It was a valuable experience that I am so grateful to have done, as this is when I became hooked on agriculture, especially the cattle portion of the internship. From there, I began my next position at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Center, which in turn led me to find GVR Longhorns. “
Like many kids and young adults with a passion for agriculture, McKenzie has spent hours and hours on our pastures. She learned how to operate farm machinery, maintain pastures, and efficiently work with our longhorn herd.
“Before working with longhorns, I had only had experience handling beef cattle herds. From my observation, longhorn’s herd mentality and instincts do differ from beef cattle. For example, while working longhorns, when the herd feels threatened they tend to disperse, whereas a beef herd tends to stick together in one mass.”
McKenzie feels that working with longhorns at GVRlonghorns has impacted her life for the better. She feels that she has gained a greater depth of knowledge in cattle care and an opportunity to improve her livestock handling skills.
“Before working with longhorns, I was unknowledgeable about that side of the cattle industry, as I had only worked with beef cattle. It has been a great eye-opener and provided me with valuable insights regarding the longhorn industry and the difference in care that they require.”
“With every agriculture role I have done, my interest and passion for the industry have continued to grow. I have stayed on this career path, as each of these roles has taught me the importance agriculture has on the world. Without these job opportunities, I would have never realized the big part agriculture plays in society.”
IN CONCLUSION – so, are Texas Longhorn Cattle Profitable?
McKenzie writes,
“I think agriculture and livestock are a great way to teach kids responsibility, behavior discipline, and learn how strongly agriculture impacts the world we live in. Additionally, I think that kids who are exposed to agricultural practices will grow up to be harder workers. It is a great experience for them to have and many life lessons can be learned from livestock.”
This has been our experience!!
Over the years, we have had many children and young adults spend time with us and our longhorn cattle. In fact in …….. we wrote a blog about hoof health and care featuring another young adult Samuel Faske. Samuel’s involvement with Texas Longhorns dates back to his youth too and his story can be read here. Each one of these role models is inspirational. Each is representative of youths who are involved and interested in agriculture and in Texas Longhorns and other livestock. Young adults in agriculture are more crucial than ever in the role they play for our sustainable future. All too often, opinions are molded by those who have not ever worked the land or livestock. As a group, young agricultural enthusiasts stand for the hope, preservation, and future of agriculture as we know it.
Thankfully, many kids have a keen interest in promoting agriculture and they need our support more than ever. Children hold hope for our future. After all, without Agriculture, we simply cannot survive as a human race!
To support our role models and ensure that Texas Longhorn Cattle remain profitable in their lives,
- Follow Emma on Instagram @skulls.by.emma. Emma has polished and preserved many of our skulls with great care. They are all exceptionally finished. In addition, they are a wonderful legacy and memory of each of our beloved girls resting in forever green pastures.
- Look out for an additional feature of Grant. We plan to document and follow him through the AI process with a couple of our young heifers.
- Mitchell’s motivation to build a Texas longhorn herd is admirable. We will not be surprised to see his name pop up as a prominent breeder in time to come.
- Once McKenzie has completed her studies, she hopes to stay within the AgriLife system or in the cattle industry. She is a determined, young lady who is smart, passionate about agriculture, and more capable than most. Reach out to us if you have a position McKenzie can fill. It would be our pleasure to connect you both.
If you would like to become a member of our Cowmoonity, please consider subscribing to our blog at GVRlonghorns.com and/or visit our SALEBARN for a chance to own Texas longhorn cattle from our GVR longhorns herd.
to our SALEBARN
Texas longhorn cattle sold at GVRlonghorns
All our Texas longhorn cattle sold are eligible for registration with TLBAA.
All our calves are quoted with prices that include vaccinations, deworming, registration with TLBAA, transfer of registration, and castration(where applicable)
As a side note, our calves are usually weaned around 6 months of age. They spend anywhere from a week to three weeks in our corral
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Are Texas Longhorn Cattle Profitable?
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Thank you for spending time with us,
Cathy