Longhorns

Did you know... In the early part of the 20th century, longhorn cattle were almost extinct?

The animal that is synonymous with cowboys and mustangs when you think of the wild west was almost bred out of existence with the influx of European "fat cattle" breeds. The longhorn, like the mustang, originated mostly from Spanish influence cattle that had escaped the Spanish settlers in the Southern half of North America. Like the mustangs, they ran wild on the open range of the great western landscape and survival of the fittest produced a tough lanky animal that could survive even the harshest conditions.

On the open range free roaming feral unbranded cattle were there for the taking and "Mavericks" were rounded up, branded, and driven north to provide beef for the expanding white population moving west. As the open range disappeared, so did the longhorn. They didn't posses the fat needed to produce tallow for candles, soap and other products so they weren't as desirable as the stockier/fatter European breeds.

Like their cousins the buffalo, by the1930's the remnants of the once vast herds had dwindled to a few hundred and were confined to small preserves, many times along side the Buffalo. Buffalo and cattle can produce offspring called "beefalo", but usually they are sterile, so the blood remained pure.

Fortunately a few foresighted men selected the best animals from those herds and began a breeding program that prevented the Longhorn from disappearing all together.

Today, Longhorns not only represent a piece of American history, but they have retained their inherent ability for survival. They are low maintenance,  they are disease resistant, they have few calving problems AND they produce a leaner healthier beef than the European breeds.

Our Bulls

Tex Critter

 Tex Critter - Tex came to us in 2008 from Livengood Farms at Burlington Junction, Missouri. He was not registered, but was from registered stock. He was an awesome creature. He had a super disposition, although he had a very imposing appearance, he was extremely Docile.

Tex has been sold.

Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown - a "miniature Longhorn". For those who are not familiar with miniature cattle, they are not dwarfs, just small versions of their particular breed. At 45 inches and 750 lbs at 4 years of age, Charlie was about 1/2 the size of a standard Longhorn Bull.

As a rule, for a cow to be considered a miniature it must be no more than 45" tall and bulls no more than 48" at the pin bone. All other conformation characteristics should be the same as the standard of the particular breed.

Charlie has been sold.

Cow Chip -  Sired by Charlie Brown. Born November 18, 2009, Chip is almost identical to Patty, except he has a little more white on his rump and he has maintained the dun color as he has grown. By three months of age, Chip was displaying the beginnings of a pretty impressive set of horns. Chip has been steered and would make a great roping steer.

For Sale $300