Longhorn Drover

05/22/2025

Preserving the Endangered Texas Longhorn - The Makers of History

On May 31st 2025 the Cattlemen’s Texas Longhorn Registry will be hosting their annual meeting and gathering at The National Ranching Heritage Center located at 3121 4th Street Lubbock, TX 79409. In order to create a greater awareness about their conservancy efforts, they are inviting the public to attend. There will be a complementary Longhorn Hamburger Lunch, served until we run out. Following lunch, there will be two seminars on the history of the Texas Longhorn and the need to preserve the original true-to-type Heritage Texas Longhorn with Q & A afterward.

The Cattlemen’s Texas Longhorn Registry was established in 1990 with one simple goal: to conserve the “original” type of Texas Longhorn. Most people do not realize just how few Original Type or Heritage Texas Longhorns are in existence today. It is estimated today that there may be under 3000 head of true Heritage Longhorns. An important part of The Cattlemen’s Texas Longhorns Registry’s efforts is their DNA test. When the registry was founded they set out to develop a database of DNA markers of the original type Longhorns. This would be the foundation of the development of their DNA test. The test has been improved over the years with the newest test being released the first of this year. This testing process is an important part of the registry’s conservancy efforts helping to ensure that other cattle breeds genetics haven't found their way into the Heritage Texas Longhorns that are entered into the CTLR’s herd books. This DNA testing sets the CTLR and their Heritage Texas Longhorns apart from other Texas Longhorn Registries and helps protect the iconic Texas Longhorn Breed. A lot of today’s modern-day Texas Longhorns will be unable to pass the DNA test due to the influence of other cattle breeds that can be found in their DNA.

The Heritage Texas Longhorn is the closest genetic link to the original Texas Longhorn that helped rebuild the country after the Civil War. Preserving the legendary Texas Longhorn is not only about the historic aspect of the breed, which is important but it is also about the valuable genetic diversity. The Heritage Texas Longhorn offers value-adding genetics of early fertility, calving ease, longevity, mothering ability, hardiness, browse utilization, adaptability, and much more. These genetic traits are locked into these cattle due to their close genetic link to the original Texas Longhorn which, I like to say, was created by God and fine-tuned by Mother Nature.
Come join us and learn more about our efforts to preserve the iconic Heritage Texas Longhorn for future generations to enjoy and profit from their great genetics.

02/03/2025

For decades, the Butler Texas Longhorn bloodline has had an impact on the Texas Longhorn breed. Butler cattle have set numerous records...first bull to measure over 60 inches tip-to-tip, the first bull syndicated for 1 million, set record prices at public auctions, and private treaty sales. In the following article from the March/April issue of the 1998 Texas Longhorn Journal, it covers the bloodline's value in the marketplace.
The Butler bloodline has been the foundation of many of today's best cattle. Butler genetics are found in the pedigress of today's cattle more than most of the other original Seven Families. With the push for more tip-to-tip horn with higher and higher measurements, most of the original Seven Families genetics have been blended out of existence. When you blend the genetics of the original Seven Families, it can result in hybrid vigor in the offspring. This usually results in more tip-to-tip horn in the offspring. Because of these modern-day breeding practices, pure family lines are becoming rare. Butler genetics are still available only due to the dedication of a group of breeders who are focused on continuing to preserve and promote the Historic Butler Texas Longhorn. Become part of our efforts by joining us on Labor Day Weekend for the Annual Butler Breeders Invitational Sale in Lockhart, TX. More information is at www.butlertexaslonghorns.com

07/27/2024

The long-awaited online version of the 27th Annual Butler Breeders Invitational Sale catalog is now available. This year's sale features some outstanding cattle. Everyone is invited to attend. We would like to encourage you to come enjoy the Butler experience. This sale is like no other. It is truly a one of a kind sale, in more ways than one. From being the only sale dedicated to one historic bloodline of Texas Longhorns to the wonderful homemade desserts to the fellowship with other breeders, this sale is second to none. This sale is one of the longest consecutive run sales in modern-day Longhorn history. Butler Cattle have long been noted for their history making contributions to the Texas Longhorn breed. Most all of today's most popular cattle have Butler Genetics in their pedigrees. We would look to encourage you to come and experience this sale first hand. If you can't join us in person, you can watch and bid in real time on Hired Hand Live.

Sale catalog of the great set of straight Butler Texas Longhorns being offered at this year's 27th Annual sale. Come enjoy the Butler experience.