marriage disagreement! We are just a stones throw away from Historic Lincoln, New Mini Longhorns it is! Bill and Sandy Martin say their cattle are smart and don’t require pampering. breed, from showing our animals to educating the public about them. more specialized after we were married, so we chose Miniature Texas The meat from a longhorn is similar to meat from a deer or an elk, says Bill. The Legend of Texas Longhorn The American saga of the Texas longhorn began in 1519, when the conquistadors subdued Mexico and introduced their rangy cattle to the new continent. involving Ranching. “We were selling a few animals and getting canner and cutter prices, and then we were discounted from that rate for ears, horns, colors, and spots,” she says. and compatriots. The hard hooves, long legs, and lethal horns, combined with natural intelligence, have enabled the breed to survive and prosper. Mini Longhorns it is! laughed and laughed and the more we researched them the more we began to My goal is to put out a good-looking animal – one that’s pleasing to the eye – and to get some quality beef in the process,” she says. and I had a completely different idea! This includes Miniature Highland and Miniature Longhorn cattle. Mini Longhorns it is! central New Mexico, just outside of Ruidoso and the Lincoln National “You’ve got to select them for the job you want them to do: freezer animal or a pasture pretty. We are very passionate about furthering the Miniature Texas Longhorn of was a mini longhorn, so I said “ Fine! According to American Miniature Horse Association figures, you can feed, house and maintain five miniatures for the cost of keeping a single standard-size horse. Our bull calves have little nubs growing on their heads the first few days after they’re born.” The horns grow from 1 to 3 inches a month when they’re young. of was a mini longhorn, so I said “ Fine! All Rights Reserved. Small breeds that kept their breed character even when parent breeds were selected for their larger size, such as Miniature Jersey cattle and Babydoll Southdown sheep. Miniature Texas Longhorn Breeding Stock is eligible for entry into all TLBAA sanctioned Miniature Texas Longhorn activities, including shows. Cattle that are greater than a Frame Score of 1 (45″ for cows and 48″ for bulls at 3 years of age and older) will be considered Miniature Texas Longhorn Breeding Stock. Futures: at least 10 minute delayed. Bill and Sandy Martin say their cattle are smart and don’t require pampering. Mitch Kezar. unaware of the breed at all. ourselves on animals who are pets, not livestock. Weldon had something specific in his mind for us and I had a completely different idea! We chose to make our home in the beautiful Sacremento Mountains in south Breeds that were miniaturized by breeders who selectively bred for a smaller size, even if another established small breed was intermixed to do so. For related content and insights from industry experts, sign up for Successful Farming newsletters. He got into the breed when he was looking for animals to take care of some grass. Longhorns get little respect from traditional beef cattle markets, Sandy says, even though calves gain 2 pounds per day. “I heard that longhorns were smart and easy to take care of since they were virtually wild cattle for centuries. Growing up It’s By. All https://www.barchart.com/solutions/ is provided by Barchart Solutions. Longhorns. They sell frozen, vacuum-packed ground beef, steaks, smoked sausages, and related cuts. It’s a “long” story. Longhorns. We have grown our herd over the past few years, to get to the point we are at now. Well, now we’re in the longhorn business!”. our love of the lifestyle has carried over into our marriage. !”, we on beef cattle operations and showed us we wanted something a little They’re wide and heavy enough to stand up without falling over, though... read more. Longhorns, that is. © 2020 Meredith Corporation. All measurements are taken to the top of the hip. To see all exchange delays and terms of use, please see https://www.barchart.com/solutions/terms. Bill and Sandy own one ranch near Wellington, Texas, and a second property 20 miles away in Childress County with 160 acres of pasture. For that reason, the Martins began selling USDA-inspected Texas longhorn beef at farmers markets in Oklahoma as well as from a retail building on their Wellington ranch. wind up falling in love with Miniature Texas Longhorns just like we did! Mexico where the famous Lincoln County Wars were fought by Billy the Kid to put in the front pasture that everyone would see when they drove by, The Martins’ senior herd sire, BBQ, has a horn spread of more than 95 inches. marriage disagreement! Bill and Sandy Martin were looking for lawn mowers and ended up in the cattle business. “We like them to get 30 inches tip to tip by the end of the first year. “These longhorns are just plain intelligent,” she says. our love of the lifestyle has carried over into our marriage. The beautiful Bonita River sets a background for our fall in love with them. are at now. Miniature Texas Longhorns must be frame score 1 or less (45" for cows and 48" for bulls). So please, give us a call and come by for a visit and see if you Nature made the longhorn savvy and lean over the 600 years since the first animals were introduced to North America by Spanish explorers. The miniature longhorns started on a whim, or maybe a early Longhorns are a dual-purpose animal, says Sandy. No separate registration certificate will be issued for Miniature Texas Longhorn Breeding Stock. We both grew up on working cow calf ranches, and “The longhorn is America’s original grass-fed beef,” he says. “For some of these big guys, you probably need a wide-load permit just to haul them down the road,” says Bill, with a grin. We both have a long history The craziest thing I could think mini longhorns, and they seem to thrive in the mild climate we have !”, we Both properties are stitched with miles of fencing, pens, cross fencing, and 150 gates, enabling the couple to rotational-graze their herd of 95 Texas longhorn cows and five bulls. Log in, Storey’s Guide to Raising Miniature Livestock, Best Gifts for Farmers and Ranchers in 2020. more specialized after we were married, so we chose Miniature Texas I’ve started salvaging old floater tires to use as mineral feeders. Naturally small breeds that evolved into a diminutive size to better survive their conditions, such as Shetland ponies, San Clemente Island goats and Soay sheep. 3/25/2016. It is low in fat and cholesterol. Most times, they will jump right into a trailer to go for a ride.”, “They’re a thinking animal,” Bill adds. laughed and laughed and the. A Couple's Venture Into Raising Longhorns. It’s a “long” story. They have working corrals at both places. Growing up The miniature longhorns started on a whim, or maybe a early The craziest thing I could think !”, we laughed and laughed and the more we researched them the more we began to fall in love with them. fantastic horn length, shape, and over all appearance. Forrest. We have grown our herd over the past few years, to get to the point we They keep predators at bay and travel long distances for water and grazing, using low-quality forages when necessary. amazing how far this breed has come, but so many people are still involving Ranching. Sandy moves among the monstrous beasts, their horns swaying from side to side, with no more concern than if she were strolling through a pen of chickens. We strive for an AUE of 1/2 to 3/4, this means that it takes half to 3/4 as much forage for one of our small-framed Texas Longhorns than what is normally consumed by a standard-sized cow. Longhorns, that is. We pride Bill and Sandy started their herd with two bred cows with calves at their side. A skull and horns can bring $450 to $2,000 for decoration, and the beautiful multicolored hides are made into chairs, couches, and other furniture. Information is provided 'as is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice. We both grew up on working cow calf ranches, and We try to specialize in Miniature Texas Longhorns with great Others were added as the couple researched pedigrees to breed either for beef or for horn characteristics. Bill and Sandy Martin were looking for lawn mowers and ended up in the cattle business. “We’re all about chasing horns,” Sandy says, “as well as good body styles.” The horn growth rate is amazing, she says. to put in the front pasture that everyone would see when they drove by, Weldon had something specific in his mind for us on beef cattle operations and showed us we wanted something a little here. “You can talk to them like they were a horse. size, amazing disposition, fabulous coloring, and above all else We both have a long history Beef cattlemen can stock two or three miniature Herefords or Lowline Angus to one garden-variety cow (Hereford, Angus, Holstein). “They have personalities.”.