Our trip down the longhorn trail began as a young boy on vacation in the Black Hills of South Dakota... I remember visiting a souvenir shop that had an entire wall dedicated to massive Texas Longhorn horn mounts. I was awestruck and knew someday I would own such an impressive set of horns that depicted the "Old West"! My vacation money of $10 only allowed for a "much" less impressive set, but I displayed them proudly on my bedroom wall.
Twenty years later, the thought of those huge horns engulfed me again. My wife, Cindy and I were fortunate enough to find a small acreage to purchase. My dream still intact, to someday own an impressive set of horns, I decided to buy a longhorn bull calf, raise it up until the horns got big and then butcher him for the wall and the freezer.
Hunts Dakota Respect - DOB 4-29-04
(photo 5-20-07 - 3 years old)
Hunts Command Respect x Hunts Rodeo Double |
I had spent many, many hours on the internet, researching Texas Longhorns when I realized my dream had evolved. It wasn't enough to look at a set of horns on the wall...I wanted to raise them.
I took the leap and contacted a breeder who became a valuable resource and great friends as well. Hours of conversations were spent along with endless emails.
I was put in contact with other breeders and learned from them all. I was warned that "Longhorns are addicting!" and to be careful in my pursuit. As I later learned, they hit the bull's eye and I was well on my way to purchasing my first cows.
Roundup's Favorite - DOB 3-3-06
(photo 8-19-07 @ 17 1/2 months)
Horns 31" ttt @ 12 months
Roundup's Purple Sage x Ozarks Santa Catalina
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At the first sale I attended, I quickly learned how the market was driven...HORNS!! I did not purchase an animal at the sale, but did end up getting 2 young cows private treaty on the way home. With just a few head, Cindy and I decided it wouldn't be cost effective to spend money for a bull of the caliber we were wanting. We decided to AI (artificially inseminate).
Again, we spent many hours researching pedigrees, old Trails magazines, past sale catalogs and talking with breeders to find genetic combinations that worked...
The herd we are putting together exemplifies all aspects of the Texas Longhorn breed; horns, conformation, color and a pedigree that reads like a "Who's Who" list. We only AI to proven bulls that have produced outstanding offspring and made their presence known at the Horn Showcase on a consistent basis.
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Sage's Reflection - DOB 3-17-2005
(Photo 4/22/08 @ 37 months)
Roundup's Purple Sage x Whelma Jet
Horn Showcase 2006 - 2nd place TH: 56 1/2"
5th place TTT: 49 1/2"
24 month meaurements:
53 3/4" TTT, 63" TH, 13" Base
Weight est. at 1590 lbs
37 month measurements:
56" TTT and 72 1/4" TH
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 Dakota Opal of My Eye - DOB 5-22-06
(photo 5-20-07 @ 1 year)
Horns 30 1/4" @ 12 months
Roundup x S- Opaline (Big Bang x Shadows Opaline)
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