Shawn Mikesky of Las Plumas de Aguila Ranch, Schulenburg, TX. says that Longhorn cows are easy to manage. They require less input than any other breed and do better in minimal conditions. “The major asset of the Longhorn breed is the maternal ability of the female.” “You can breed them to whatever breed of bull you want and still get a good calf. Just remember to always use a good bull and a good quality cow.”
John Brittingham of Park Springs Ranch, Anton Chico, New Mexico says of a Texas Longhorn cross mother cow, “A 900-lb cow works well around here,” he says. “She requires less nourishment and gets around easier. A larger cow would have a hard time raising a calf and breeding back. In our droughty, semi-arid environment, my Longhorn-Hereford cross cows are 98% bred and will consistently breed back without supplemental feed. I don’t think a 1200-lb. cow could achieve that percentage.”
Gerry Shudde (New Mexico-Texas) said, “They’re ideal for this brush country. They’re small cows, that can browse efficiently. Right now, they’ve quit the dry grass and are licking on Huajillo brush. They are also easier to work than Brahman crosses.” His wife, Janelle Shudde chimes in, “What seems the strongest about our Longhorn crossbreeding program is being able to utilize this breed that has develop such strong “survivor” characteristics such as few birthing problems, range and brush grazing and effective mothering; combine those things to come up with something, not just preserving history, but effective in the production arena of the real world we have to make a living in.”