Buyer question
Are Texas Longhorn cattle good for beginners?
It can be: our Animal Library rates the Texas Longhorn cattle 3 out of 5 for beginners (horns take planning).
Source: the Texas Longhorn cattle page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Texas Longhorn cattle in the Animal Library
The detail
Texas Longhorns descend from Spanish cattle that went feral in the Southwest, and they were shaped by drought, heat and predators. They calve easily, live long and forage hard, with horns that can span six feet or more.
- Temperament
- Usually calm
- Best fit
- Low-input ranches, hobby
- Docility
- 4 out of 5 (Calm if handled well)
- Upkeep
- 3 out of 5 (Horns need wide chutes)
- Hardiness
- 5 out of 5 (Very hardy forager)
What to weigh
The horns are the challenge: standard chutes, trailers and feeders may not fit. Carcasses are lean and light, so they suit direct-market beef better than feedlot programs.