ALBANY, TEXAS (RFD NEWS) — Texas Longhorns are more than cattle. The Texas Farm Bureau shows how this special livestock breed remains a symbol of American history and has helped shape the U.S. cattle industry.
Will Cradduck, herd manager of the Official Texas Longhorn Herd, oversees the operation and says the group plays an important role in preserving that history.
“This herd is a historic herd that’s been around since 1938,” Cradduck explained, “It was put together for two basic reasons: to show people what historic Texas Longhorn cattle look like and to help preserve the breed for many years to come.”
Craduck says the herd represents a significant portion of the breed’s remaining genetic diversity, with only a few thousand of these cattle remaining worldwide.
He adds that Longhorns also stand out for their behavior and temperament: “I say that’s the two main characteristics of Longhorns: they’re curious and they’re intelligent.”
Texas Longhorns were first introduced by Spanish explorers in the 1500s and remained the primary cattle in the region for hundreds of years.
In 2020, a Longhorn bull named “Cowboy Tuff Chex” set a Guinness World Record for the longest horn spread at 8.6 feet. The bull is estimated to be worth $500,000.
