The Texas Longhorns

The Texas Longhorn was crafted entirely by mother nature in North America. It’s a breed that hasn’t needed to be tampered with and requires no introduction. The signature look of these animals finds its ancestry in the very first cattle to set foot on American soil over 450 years ago. Longhorns are the product of “survival of the fittest” in action. They were shaped by a combination of natural selection and environment adaptation and are one of the only livestock breeds that has not been tampered with by man.

As the buffalo disappeared in the Great Plains after the Civil War, Longhorns were brought in to occupy the vast space of grassland that was for the most part vacant. Cattlemen brought breeding herds north to run on the rich grazing lands that were deserted throughout the Midwest. This breed at the time was their historical heyday and dominated the North American beef scene for decades. This era came to an end however as crossbreeding became more common to meet the needs of the changing beef demand. By the early 1900s, the typical “true” Longhorn had nearly been erased.

Fortunately in the 1920s, the Texas Longhorn preservation became a priority of the US Government through wildlife refuges in Oklahoma and Nebraska. Additionally, a number of cattlemen in the Southwest were convinced of the Longhorn’s value as a genetic link maintained small herds throughout the years. The Texas Longhorn has been perpetuated further by members of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America, which was formed in 1964 and therefore rescued from extinction.

At present, the Longhorn appears to be headed along a new trail. With a thriving public interest in lean, natural meat that is more nutritious than standard beef development today, the Longhorn has been dramatically growing in popularity. Those who have tasted longhorn beef pronounce it tender and full of flavor.