Archive for February, 2009

Posted on February 27, 2009 - by Russell

Breed Guidelines - Sheath and Navel

In this issue of Breed Guidelines we will be taking a look at the Sheath on bulls and the Navel on bulls and cows. The sheath of a Longhorn bull should have a small orifice and a retracted prepuce. The navel should be flat and small in size. You do not want to see a long pendulous sheath with a non-retractable prepuce. This could indicate the influence of another breed of cattle. You want to avoid excessive navel flap on both males and females. A small amount of navel skin is okay but you do not want to have hanging skin running from the navel to the brisket and dewlap and/or toward the udder and testicles. 

Posted on February 24, 2009 - by Russell

Select Breeders Sale Averages $2,226.27

Twelve of the industry’s leading breeders joined together to host the “Select Breeders Sale”. This is the first year that they have hosted this sale. The sale was held in Fort Worth, Texas at the Will Rogers West Arena on Saturday February 21, 2009. The catalog featured 130 lots consigned by Mosser Longhorns, El Coyote Ranch, Diamond E Longhorns, Taylor Cattle Co., Cloud 9 Longhorns, The Struhoff Ranch, Marquess Arrow Ranch, Stockton Ranches, Bolen Longhorns, End of Trail Ranch, Panther Creek Ranch and Clear Creek Pecan Plantation. Things were kicked-off at noon with a luncheon followed by the sale at 1 pm. There was a good solid crowd of prospective buyers gathered around the arena as auctioneer and sale manager, Joel Lemley got the sale underway. The sale was also broadcast live on the internet for those who were unable to attend the sale to bid in person.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above top to bottom: High-Selling Lot and Second High-Selling Lot 

Bidding was spirited throughout the day and when the dust settled it was Lot 74, Tiara that would be the High-Selling Lot bringing a final bid of $26,500. She is a 77 ½” horn 1997 beauty that was consigned by Bruce Easterly’s Diamond E Longhorns and purchased by Mike & Kim MacLeod. (Tiara was also the dam of the High-Selling Lot at the Primer Heifer Sale back in January 2009) The second High-Selling Lot was Lot 38, Phenomenal Love 019, a 70 plus inch horn Phenomenon daughter consigned by El Coyote Ranch. When the gavel dropped on this lot the final bid was $15,000 and her new owner was Steve Jordan. The prices held steady throughout the sale with several lots bringing over $5,000 and this resulted in a strong average of $2,226.27 on the 118 lots that sold. For complete prices go to Sale and Show category on this website.

Posted on February 24, 2009 - by Russell

Artificial Insemination and What It Can Do For You

by Michael Myers, M.S.

Myers Reproductive Services

1999

The most significant advance in cattle breeding technology has been the development of freezing procedures for semen which has led to the development of Artificial Insemination (AI) industry. The main purpose for pursuing AI in the cattle industry is to propagate superior genes within a designated cow herd or herds at a reasonable cost. Through the use of AI, one bull has the potential to inseminate several thousand females per year. Having just any bull in your breeding herd can damage the quality of your cattle for generations. Inferior and usually inexpensive bulls can lower your cost per pregnancy though cost you dearly in the long-haul in poor performance. However, when semen from a highly selected bull is used, great genetics gains can be achieved in just a few generations.

 

The advantages of AI in cattle are numerous: (1) Propagation of outstanding genetic traits from superior sires. (2) Increase the overall performance of the whole cattle breed through the breeding of superior sires. (3) Elimination of having bulls on your place. As you know bulls are famous for creating havoc to your pens and fences as well as creating problems with other neighboring herds and neighbors as well. (4) AI allows for the use of frozen semen after a bull is incapacitated or dead. (5) Reduce or completely inhibit the spread of venereal diseases. Bulls that are collected at an approved collection facility have gone through extensive testing for disease. Antibiotics are also added to the semen during processing to aid in the prevention of any bacterial contamination that may take place during the collection process. (6) When using estrous synchronizing schemes, AI has the ability to produce a “short or optimal” calving season whenever you desire.

 

Semen is collected from highly selected bulls usually at a designated sire collection center and frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen tanks for later use. Frozen semen can also be stored in liquid nitrogen indefinitely. Semen can be collected from properly fed and managed bulls as early as 12 months of age.

 

The success of any AI program depends on several factors: 1) quality of frozen semen, 2) fertility of the cow, 3) good quality restraining equipment (working pens and squeeze chute), 4) competency of the AI technician and last but not least, 5) accurate heat detection! Accurate heat detection is the most vital part of any successful breeding program – learn to enjoy the long hours with little sleep.

 

Set goals for your herd when deciding which bull or bulls you deem appropriate. Evaluate your herd and try to select for traits that help complement your stronger traits or better yet, select on traits that help to improve in areas that you feel may be lacking. It may be advisable to have someone who is knowledgeable about your breed and unbiased to come to your place and try to help you make decisions on what bull or bulls that you may need to use on your cows. It is ill-advised to select sires based solely on one selected trait. When you select for improvement in only one trait, you help to strength that one trait, however all other traits tend to diminish in quality.

 

Beginning an AI program can be challenging. Make the decision on whether you want to AI your cows or have someone else do it for you. There are several “3 to 4 day” AI training schools that you can attend in your local area. These schools are very informative and serve as a good place to meet people who can help you out later on down the road. Once you have decided which bull or bulls you would like to use, call the owner or sire service center where the bull is collected and place an order to have it shipped to you or to the person you have selected to use as your AI Technician. You must have a liquid nitrogen tank of proper size that is filled to the proper level and that has an adequate capacity for the amount of semen you desire prior to ordering. Next, decide which season you would like to have your calves born. Develop a plan as to the type of program you would like to use based on natural vs. estrus synchronized heats.

 

Put the pencil to it and I think you will find in the long-run that you can improve your herd’s genetics in many ways by implementing an AI program that can benefit you and your breed as well.

Posted on February 23, 2009 - by Russell

Select Breeders Sale - Prices

             Lot   Name                                         Price       Buyer Name                          Buyer #

1	Reddie Leigh	$800.00	Mark Evers	160
2	ECR Cita’s Hot Stuff 344	$1,600.00	Bill & Suzanne Tokildsen	213
3	Easterly’s Rock Star	$7,300.00	Crumpton/Cunningham	122
4	Texana Tinfoil	$750.00	William Ford	144
5	C9 Peach Candy	$2,100.00	Bill & Suzanne Tokildsen	213
6	SR Taboo Way 766	$1,300.00	Darrell Jack	216
7	Sunhaven Foxfire	$1,900.00	Mark Evers	160
8	Super Lark	$1,700.00	Steve Jordan	191
9	Gypsy Dancer BCB	$3,300.00	Crumpton/Cunningham	122
10	BH Riverbend	$2,250.00	William Ford	144
11	J.R. Priscilla	$750.00	Jimmie Ruth Hawkins	199
12	ZD Petite Rock	$1,000.00	Donnie & Marilyn Taylor	145
13	Suzie Leigh	$1,500.00	Scott Simmons	149
14	ECR Tommy’s Kelli	$2,900.00	Marion & Tracy Woolie	5017
15	Vision	$4,200.00	Sandra Nordhausen	237
16	Texana Southern Bell	$800.00	Ralph & Mary Martinez	188
17	C9 Abundance	$2,750.00	Rick Friedrich	215
18	SR Frisky Jeans 629	$1,300.00	Darrell Jack	216
19	Sapphire ST	$1,300.00	Andy & Stacy Martinez	228
20	Virtual Adrenaline	$900.00	Bill Blair	159
21	585 Yellow Jacket	$3,900.00	Craig Perez	138
22	Zigfield’s Folly	$1,000.00	Mark Evers	160
23	Kalista 6/19	P.O.	P.O.	1
24	ZD Rocking Ginger	$1,700.00	Dale Hunt	218
25	Dawn Leigh 132	$800.00	Neil Dickinson	211
26	ECR Julio’s Eclaire 213	$2,300.00	Bill & Suzanne Tokildsen	213
27	Miss Yisel RG 98	$2,800.00	Ed Shehee	225
28	Texana Tax Shelter	$750.00	Ralph & Mary Martinez	188
29	C9 Super Rouge	scratch	scratch	0
30	SR Sterling’s Mango 229	P.O.	P.O.	1
31	FL Geovia	$2,700.00	Dale Hunt	218
32	Overt Lady Zee	scratch	scratch	0
33	HHH Little Bit	$1,500.00	John Oliver	179
34	EOT Super Paleskiny	$1,000.00	Darrell Jack	216
35	BH Neatly Done	$2,600.00	Rex Mosser	101
36	RC Flamenco Dancer	$900.00	Ethan Flowers	224
37	Sissie Leigh	$850.00	William Ford	144
38	Phenomenal Love 019	$15,000.00	Steve Jordan	191
39	Wiregrass Patent Donna	$1,100.00	David & Brason Wars	168
40	Texana Gleam	$800.00	William Ford	144
41	7-11 Win Dance	scratch	scratch	0
42	SR Sterling’s Delite 490	$1,550.00	Paul Valle	194
43	M Arrow Memories	$1,300.00	Chris & Lisa Parker	203
44	High Hopes	$3,200.00	Mike & Kim MacLeod	196
45	Dylan’s Dona	$1,000.00	Donnie & Marilyn Taylor	145
46	BH Topnotch	$2,600.00	Lawrence Stice	5010
47	Brews Poker Alice	$1,000.00	?	2
48	Texana Tarantula	scratch	scratch	0
49	BH Gauchogirl	$800.00	Lonnie & Kit Goolsby	221
50	Phenomenal Fashion 114	$8,000.00	Marion & Tracy Woolie	5017
51	MS Bow & Arrow 70/9	$900.00	Ralph & Mary Martinez	188
52	Texana Tax Exempt	$500.00	Dale Hunt	218
53	Hunt’s Respected April	$4,500.00	Lawrence Stice	5010
54	SR Sterling’s Pretty Britches 200	$1,700.00	Chris & Lisa Parker	203
55	M Arrow Spectacular	$1,200.00	Donnie & Marilyn Taylor	145
56	Spiciest Zee	$1,000.00	Maurice & Ann Ladnier	208
57	Tippy Toes BCB	$4,000.00	Sandra Nordhausen	237
58	EOT Outback Darling 647	$4,400.00	Bill & Judy Meridith	230
59	NB Deigo’s Tango	$1,000.00	William Ford	144
60	Diamond W Pay Cash	$900.00	William Ford	144
61	Heidi Leigh	$1,400.00	Robert Weir	183
62	Lil’ Nichole 160	$6,100.00	Bill & Suzanne Tokildsen	213
63	Bayou Ruth	$1,100.00	Randy & Jamie Briscoe	146
64	Texana Famous Gal	$1,600.00	Ray & Becky Peterson	154
65	SR Memory’s Reflection 172	$1,500.00	Mark Evers	160
66	M Arrow Chasity	$1,600.00	Paul & Mari-Kathryn Braswell	123
67	Texsens Lobster	$1,000.00	Lyman Sisson	5014
68	Knight Glo	$2,300.00	Rex Mosser	101
69	Coach’s Droopy	$2,900.00	Rick Friedrich	215
70	FCF Fields Of Barley	$2,500.00	David Overdorf	233
71	ZD Texana Tularock	$900.00	Bill Blair	159
72	Taboo 6/5	$900.00	Tom Billinsley	171
73	Tari’s Angelina 101	P.O.	P.O.	1
74	Tiara	$26,500.00	Mike & Kim MacLeod	196
75	Texana Tadpole	$750.00	Robert Weir	183
76	SCL Ace Of Hearts	$5,700.00	Brian Brett	210
77	SR Cookies Crumb 021	$1,600.00	John Payne	232
78	Flame BL 974	$1,400.00	Andy & Stacy Martinez	228
79	Firefly	$900.00	Chris & Lisa Parker	203
80	Dylans Bonita	$850.00	Lonnie & Kit Goolsby	221
81	EOT Magnolia Blossom	$1,700.00	Mark Evers	160
82	Cypsy Chex PC 113	$1,100.00	Bill & Suzanne Tokildsen	213
83	Country Fancy	$1,000.00	Ronnie Jones	152
84	C3 Sadie	$1,400.00	Lyman Sisson	5014
85	ECR Sure Thing 245	$4,500.00	Marion & Tracy Woolie	5017
86	HC One Fancy Cowgirl	$1,100.00	Gutherie Creek Longhorns	229
87	Lindy 11	$800.00	Bowdoin-Bowdoin Partnership	130
88	Hunt’s Miss Emperor Rodeo	$2,750.00	Sky J Farms	201
89	SR Majestic Princess 745	$900.00	Rick Friedrich	215
90	Stocktons Possum Eyes	$2,000.00	Gwen Damato	178
91	Overly Anna	$800.00	Kevin Kash	206
92	Riverforks Smoke Out	$1,400.00	Donnie & Marilyn Taylor	145
93	EOT Brown Beauty 626	$2,000.00	Lawrence Stice	5010
94	MK Get Ready Set Go	$700.00	Mike McClanahan	161
95	ZD Delta Star Queen	P.O.	P.O.	1
96	Georgia Leigh	$400.00	Mike Taylor	134
97	ECR New Design	$3,500.00	Panther Creek Ranch	113
98	Masterful Sunbeam	$800.00	John Payne	232
99	Tejas Taylor	$500.00	Joe Flanagan	151
100	C9 Amazing Grace	$5,000.00	Ron & Barbara Marquess	107
101	SR Dream Stream 637	P.O.	P.O.	1
102	LWR Tiffany	$1,700.00	Gwen Damato	178
103	Lazy Reflection	$1,100.00	Brent & Cindy Bolen	111
104	Sara Bess BCB	$6,500.00	Tom Billinsley	171
105	EOT Super Sarah	$1,600.00	Lynn Struthoff	106
106	LLL Sharon	P.O.	P.O.	1
107	Pay Cashs Victoria	$1,300.00	Joe Flanagan	151
108	Watson 226	$700.00	Jerry Lawley	192
109	ECR Heiress Stamp 315	$2,500.00	Ray & Becky Peterson	154
110	Delta Orchid	$800.00	Ronnie Jones	152
111	Texana Tomahawk	$600.00	Joe Flanagan	151
112	Stars Bright Flare	$2,600.00	Brian Brett	210
113	SR Hollywood’s Dolly 619	P.O.	P.O.	1
114	Carrie Lu BCB	$1,700.00	Gwen Damato	178
115	Palmetta Check	$1,200.00	Bolen Longhorns	111
116	Unlawful BCB	$1,600.00	David & Brason Wars	168
117	EOT Kanstar’s Tigress	$2,500.00	Neil Dickinson	211
118	PC Sweet Stuff	$2,700.00	Davis Green	176
119	JL Ellie Bar	$1,000.00	Michael & Tracy Hobbs	217
120	Enterprising Anna	$2,100.00	Joe & Lorinda Valentine	113
121	Lil Pebbles	$4,000.00	Bill & Suzanne Tokildsen	213
122	Texana Even Steven	$1,600.00	Neil Dickinson	211
123	C9 Rouge Brush	$800.00	Alexandra Dees	5008
124	scratch	scratch	scratch	0
125	M Arrow Feisty Vicki	$1,000.00	Glenn Phipps	126
126	Whelming Liner	$1,200.00	Lynn Struthoff	106
127	Coopers Red Lamb	$3,500.00	Taylor Cattle Company	0
128	Brazous Redchex	P.O.	P.O.	1
129	Showboat’s Favorite	$2,600.00	Lawrence Stice	5010
130	026-HCC Quanah	$2,300.00	Alexandra Dees	5008

 

Total of 118 lots sold for $262,700.00 an posted an average of $ 2,226.27

 

 

 

 

Posted on February 23, 2009 - by Russell

TLBAA Fills Vacant Director Positions

A special TLBAA Board of Directors meeting was held on Saturday February 21, 2009 in order to fill vacant seats on the board. The board had several vacancies that it needed to fill. There were a number of TLBAA members that stepped forward and offered to serve the association by being pointed to fill the vacated sets on the board. The board asked each of these members to make a brief presentation about themselves and what they could bring to the board. After listening to the candidates’ presentations the board members voted by ballets for the members that they wanted to serve out the vacated terms. Those present to vote on new board members were: Maurice Ladnier, Lana Hightower, Kaso Kety, Charlie Buenger, Doc Hyder, Robert Richey, Steven Zunker, Scott Simmons, Gene Juranka, Donnie Taylor, Gary Cole, Randy Briscoe and Glen Lewis.  Those not in attendance for the vote were: Deb Lesyk, Carl Brantley, Richard Spooner and Justin Hansen.

Your new TLBAA Board Members are as follows…

Division A, Region 2…Donald Grata from Sandston, VA.

Division B, At-Large Director…Darlene Aldridge, D.V.M. from Somerville,TX.

Division B, Region 8 Director…Kerry Mounce from Anna, TX

Division B, Region 11 Director…Theo Kocian from League City, TX

Division C, At-Large Director…Steven Quary from Prague, OK

Division C, Region 13…Michael Sitzman from Merrill, IA

Division C, Region 14…Jim Rombeck from Home, KS

 

 

Posted on February 19, 2009 - by Russell

A Message From TLBAA Chairman, Maurice Ladnier

In the most recent E-Trails TLBAA Chairman, Maurice Ladnier released this statement.

“We have some disturbing news. Mr. Ben Gravett, of Virginia, has filed a petition with the 153^rd Judicial District of Tarrant County Texas: Gravett vs. TLBAA. Mr. Gravett claims that the TLBAA is insolvent or in the imminent danger of insolvency; however he has provided on proof what so ever! We will be preparing to furnish the courts with financials and documents to prove our solvency. Oh, by the way, his attorney Mr. Wiseman, is the same attorney that represented the TLBAA in the King/Spindor case.”

Editors Note: I have spoken with my regional director and he assured me that the TLBAA is solvent. I will be staying in touch with him and other directors about this matter.

Posted on February 19, 2009 - by Russell

She’s a 10 – A survey of Longhorn Breeders

The selection of a brood cow is very important when building a quality herd for seed stock production. I would like to know what makes her a “10” in your herd. If you would like to share your brood cow selection criteria with our readers then please take a moment to complete the survey. If you would like you can post brief comments below in the comments field or better yet send your completed survey answers, along with a photo of your idea brood cow to russellh@longhornroundup.com. Please include your name, ranch name and email address. You may also include your website address. I will be posting the survey results and photos on the website in about two weeks.

  

1) What type of conformation do you look for in a brood cow? Does conformation affect the birth canal and calving ease?

 

2) What is the most important trait you look for, horn, conformation, or functional efficiency? Would you over look a genetic defect if the cow had record setting horn?  

 

3) How important is frame size when selecting a brood cow, and why?

 

4) What is the ideal age for a heifer to have her first calf?

 

5) Are there any advantages in waiting to breed a heifer?

 

6) What is the ideal weight range for a newborn calf?

 

7) Do you think the sire or the dam affects the birth weight more?

 

8 ) How important is milk production? How do you determine whether a brood cow’s milk production is sufficient?

 

9) When you select a young heifer for your herd, how important is udder development?

 

10) What do you look for in the udder of a mature brood cow?

 

11) In your opinion, are udder defects a result of improper management, genetic imperfection or in some cases a combination of both?

 

12) How many years should a good brood cow produce? Do you think modern day breeding practices are improving or harming the longevity trait?

 

13) What do you believe is the ideal number of days between calving and rebreeding?

 

14) What are your standards for culling? What characteristics in a brood cow are justifications for immediate culling? How does disposition affect a brood cow?

 

15) How important is femininity to you when you select a heifer for a brood cow? Why is it important, and how is it expressed?

 

16) How important is horn size in selecting a heifer for a brood cow? Do you like for a heifer to show a lot of growth early, or are you satisfied with a cow which gets her horn growth gradually over the years?

 

17) What other factors do you consider when selecting a brood cow, and which is most important to you? 

Posted on February 19, 2009 - by Russell

Breed Guidelines - Ears

In this edition of the Breed Guidelines we are going to study the ears of a Longhorn. We will be looking at size, shape and position of the ears. The ears should be medium to small in size and they should be round in shape. The ears should also be positioned fairly close to the horns or horn base. It is considered objectionable if the ears are long with a slight droop. Extremely large and droopy ears are considered an undesirable trait in a Longhorn. Photos left to right. Photo 1) Example of small ears, rounded on the ends and set close to the horns. Photo 2) Example of medium size ears, rounded on the ends but could be set a little closer to the horns. Photo 3)Example of a ear that is a little larger than it should be, it rounds on ends and doesn’t droop. Photo 4) Example of ears that are somewhat larger than they should be, not set very close to the horns  and they are pointing forward, these are not very desirable. Photo 5) Example of small ears, rounded on the ends and set close to the horns. Photo 6)Example of medium size ears, rounded on the ends but could be set a little closer to the horns. If you look closely at all these photos you will notice that there is hair hanging over the opening of the ears. This hair serves an important purpose, it keeps insects from being able to get inside the ears. 

 

Posted on February 18, 2009 - by Russell

Photo Contest

The Longhorn Round-Up News and Views will be hosting a spring photo contest. Dust off your cameras and hit the pastures. The contest is open to all photos of  Longhorn cattle. First place will receive $100 and will be featured on our website. Second place will receive $50 and will be featured on our website. All others will be displayed in our Photo Galliery.  Entry is free to all TLBAA and ITLA members. All photo must be submitted by emailing them to russellh@longhornroundup.com  at a  medium resolution. You must include your name and contact information along with a brief description of the photo. Deadline for submissions is June 1, 2009. Winner will be announced the following week.

Posted on February 16, 2009 - by Russell

Selecting Cows for Horns and More

        In today’s Longhorn market it is not always easy to judge the true value or quality of the cattle. There are cattle selling for prices ranging from $400 dollars all the way up to $170,000.  What is the difference between the bottom and top prices?  The answer is HORNS… not necessarily overall quality.  We have come a long way when it comes to horn growth in this industry.  When I got involved with these cattle in the 1980’s we were celebrating 40” of tip-to-tip horn, which would be laughed at today.  But back then it was not all about horn, it was about saving the breed, fertility, longevity, mothering ability…just to mention a few of the other traits that were valued by breeders those many years ago.  Today some breeders seem to believe that there is only one sure fire way to determine the value of top Texas Longhorn cattle…the tape measure…the bigger the horn the higher the price.  However, like in the 1980’s I believe this is only one of many things that must be considered when determining the value of our cattle.  Breeders who use the tape measure as their only way of placing value on Longhorn cattle are overlooking many very important attributes of the Longhorn.
        Judging the quality of a Texas Longhorn is simply not made by measuring the horns.  There are numerous cattle in this industry that measure 75-80” tip-to-tip, but are these actually the best of the breed?  Without a doubt some of these are good animals.  However, many of them have sold for record prices, been flushed in ET (embryo transfer) and cloned only because of their record setting horn length.  In some cases these cattle have poor conformation, genetic defects such as wry noses, jaw and mouth defects and bad udders with large teats and they can’t even raise a calf.  
        If you were to check the production records (which I have) of several of these cattle you would find that in some instances they have produced mostly roper calves.  At prices of $50,000 to $100,000 it takes more ropers at $350 each than she can produce in a lifetime to pay for this “great” cow.  That is without figuring in her annual upkeep and care.  Several of the cows in the 75-80” club cannot even nurse their own calves; some are raised by a nurse cow or produced by ET because the cow cannot carry and raise her own calf.  I always check the production records of any animal that I am considering purchasing unless it is a heifer - in that case I check her mother’s production history. 
        Many of the 75-80” horned animals in today’s industry are truly one of a kind; some have full siblings that do not come close to having the same horn measurements as they do.  There is a cow in our industry that measures over 75 inches, yet her full sister only measures in the mid-50’s tip-to-tip.  Their dam was an average cow with good horn and their sire never produced another animal that has reached 75-80” (most are in the 60’s).  Therefore in my opinion these are not proven, predictable genetics.  I was at a recent Longhorn sale where a four year old cow with almost 70 inches sold for $10,000.  She was unexposed and by the looks of her udder, teats, shoulders and vulva she had never calved.  She looked “steery”.  In my opinion someone bought themselves a costly lesson.  You can have the longest horned cow in the breed but if she is not producing then all you have is a “glorified steer”.  Sometimes it is hard to look passed the horns but when selecting females for your program you also need to look at their udders, teats, feet, legs, general conformation and pedigree. You should also inquire about the animals production record. Production is one of the keys to selecting a top quality Longhorn female. 

Here is a picture of a nice solid cow that had good horn (48-50”) for her day yet she produced many daughters that had 55-60” horns.  One of them was one of the industry’s first 60” horned cows Delta Diamond, who did eventually reach 70”.  Today some breeders would not even glance at this cow in a sale or in the pasture because she is not loaded with horn, yet she produced great horns.  The term is ‘she out produced herself’.  Most of the 65-80” horn cattle in our industry are sired by bulls with 50-60” horns and most of these bulls have done this more than once or twice.  Phenomenon measured a little over 60” and is one of the leading sires and grandsires of 65-80” horn animals.  His sire Superior measured  a little over 50” and shows up as sire or grandsire of numerous animals that are in that 70-80” Club.  Proven Genetics are one of the keys to long term success in this industry.
        In summary if you are going to breed for horns remember to keep all the Longhorn traits in mind when making your cattle selections.  Also, if you are just getting started in the Longhorn business or you do not have a budget that will allow you to purchase the longest horn animals, do not get discouraged.  There are animals out there that may not have the longest horns, but they have the genetics for producing horn.  If you study the pedigrees you can make a wise and affordable purchase that someday just might produce you a 70-80” horn animal that you can sell for a top price.