THEY are the stuff of legends. The iconic cattle that originated in Spain and went on to build the mighty Texas cattle industry and fed a hungry, damaged nation in the dark years following US Civil War in the late 1800s.
Between 1866 and 1895 an estimated 10 million Texas cattle were trailed to northern markets. By the 1920s the breed was almost extinct, displaced largely by British breed cattle and the end of the open range system.
However, thanks to the dedication of dedicated breeders there are more than 250,000 Texas Longhorn cattle in the US today. The first imports arriving in Australia in the 1980s.
Almost 50 head of the iconic cattle have been catalogued for the inaugural Trails West Texas Longhorn Sale in Roma on Saturday, February 25. Elite Livestock Auctions is also hosting an online auction.
It is the first Texas Longhorn sale ever held in Queensland and the largest number of full-blood Texas Longhorns ever offered in Australia.
The cattle are being offered by Horseshoe B Longhorns, Charters Towers, D7Spur Texas Longhorns, Tambo, and Cowboy Cattle Company Longhorns, Gunning, NSW. On offer at the sale to be conducted by Landmark are cows and calves, cows, heifers, trophy steers, and bulls.
CLICK HERE for the Trails West sale catalogue.
While noted for their trademark horns, breeder Michael Bethel from Horseshoe B Longhorns, Charters Towers, said the breed was also excellent in crossbreeding operations.
“They are highly fertile, have no calving problems, and have an extremely good temperament,” Mr Bethel said.
The breed registry Texas Longhorns Australia was formed in 2010.
A pre-sale meet and greet will be held at the Overlander Homestead Restaurant, Roma, from 6.30pm on the Friday.
Contact Andrew Holt, 0427 088 996, Landmark.