Mini Longhorns Ideal For Small-Acreage Producers

Mini Longhorns Ideal For Small-Acreage Producers LIVESTOCK Beef 26-4-18 There are only two breeders so far of miniature Texas Longhorns but they've been swamped with interest. "We've only had a few head for sale," says Bill Buck, Indian Mountain Ranch, Ponder, Texas. Buck and his wife, Sandy, have been selecting and breeding miniature cattle from their Texas Longhorn herd for 14 years. "I would guess there are fewer that thirty head all together in the world." John and Susan Fore, Foresite Ranch, Denham Springs, Louisiana, have also developed mini Longhorns from their herd of normal-sized cattle. With just a couple breeders, there is as yet no separate Miniature Longhorn breed organization. The Bucks are currently registering all their miniature cattle with both the Texas Longhorn Association and a new, not-for-profit miniature cattle organization called International Miniature Cattle Breeders Society. Both ranches have Websites where you can see their cattle. Buck says Miniature Longhorns are genetically small animals, but he doesn't consider them dwarfs. "By definition, cattle that are less than 48 in. tall at the hock bone (rump) are considered miniature cattle and those under 42 in. are considered full miniature," he says. Calves normally weigh under 25 lbs. and mature bulls less than 500 lbs. At three to four months of age, calves average around 25 to 26 in. in height and weigh between 45 and 55 lbs. "We breed them so people with smaller ranches - 10 to 30 acres - can still experience the beauty of a herd of Longhorns," Buck says. At their Website, the Fores describe their Miniature Longhorns as "backyard cattle", adding that typical calves can walk between the bottom and second wires on a 5-wire barbed wire fence. Buck says they have sold a few Miniature Longhorn cattle in recent years, but currently they have none for sale. Prices begin at $1,000 per head and go up from there. Mature bulls and cows, if you can find them for sale, will be pricey. To date, nearly all the sales from both ranches were to people who wanted pets or to start their own small herd. The Bucks hand raise all their Miniature Longhorns. "All are cattle are our babies and we have never had a mean Miniature Longhorn," he says. Buck says the horns on miniature cattle tend to be shorter by proportion, than those on a full-sized Longhorn. "We hope our bull, Charlie, will put a bit more horn back on them," he says. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bill and Sandy Buck, Indian Mountain Ranch, 7093 H. Lively Road, Ponder, Texas 76259 (ph 940 479-0177; E-mail: imranch@flash.net; Website: www.imranch.com); or John and Susan Fore, Foresite Ranch, 33203 Hwy. 1019, Denham Springs, La. 70706 (ph toll-free 800 284-9005 or 225 665-9248; fax 225 665-0405;E-mail: info@Miniature Longhorns.com; Website: www.miniature longhorns.com).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.