Mini Longhorn Breeder Still Going Strong After 20 Years

Mini Longhorn Breeder Still Going Strong After 20 Years AG WORLD FARM SHOW last spoke with Bill Buck 11 years ago about breeding mini Longhorn cattle for small acreage farmers Vol 26 No 4 He had gotten started about 10 years earlier on a hobby farm he owned near Dallas Texas Buck and another person in Louisiana were the only miniature Longhorn breeders in the country at the time “There’s been a lot of progress since then ” Buck says noting that “we’ve gone from two miniature Longhorn breeders 20 years ago to more than 50 people raising registered animals today We’ve got an industry association show events official breed registration people promoting the breed and a steady market for the offspring ” Buck expanded his herd through line breeding which required three generations to produce male and female offspring that would in turn produce miniature cattle Those progeny along with offspring from other breeders have grown into a thriving association of producers “People who raise miniature Longhorns just love them ” says Buck “They’re small docile cute as can be when they’re babies and very people friendly We’ve had schools and day care kids out to see the herd and the kids can’t stop petting them ” The calves weigh about 25 lbs at birth and stand about 18 in tall Mature females weigh about 300 to 400 lbs and bulls weigh just under 500 lbs Both stand about 3 ft tall when fully grown Most people who buy animals from Buck and others raise them as pets Heifer calves at 6 mos sell for about $3 000 and bull calves bring $2 000 “I’ve sold very special bulls for $5 000 and a heifer for as much as $8 000 ” Buck says noting that even though the miniature Longhorns are about half the size of full-size animals they eat about two thirds as much feed “In 20 years I’ve sold animals in probably 20 states including northern states ” says Buck “They like the cold ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Bill and Sandy Buck 3021 South Branch Rd Krum Texas 76249 ph 940 482-7173; imranch@iflash net; www imranch com

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