? for Longhorn folks

[Alan]

Seeing some of the amazing pics of Longhorns, some ?'s for you folks.

1. When do they start to grow horns, how young, and old when the horns are fully developed?

2. When the horns are growing the fastest, at what age, and how fast do they grow? ie; 1 inch a month?

3. Are horns judged by girth as well as spread or just spread?

Thanks,
Alan

 

[Ryan]

1. calves are usually born with little nubs, or "buttons". sometimes it might take a few weeks to a month for them to become visible.

2. I would say they grow fastest from a few months old until they are about 2 or 3 years old, and they are pretty much matured out at 5 or 6 years old. However they will keep growing a little for life, depending on the nutrition available to them. How much they grow per month is pretty much based on genetics, and if they have the nutrition available to obtain that genetic potential.

3. In my opinion, horns are judged by each individuals personal preferrences. However, at the horn showcase, where they measure horns, they measure tip to tip and total horn (sometimes called around the poll).

Hope this helps, I know other breeders will give some more info.

Ryan

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

Seeing some of the amazing pics of Longhorns, some ?'s for you folks.

1. When do they start to grow horns, how young, and old when the horns are fully developed?

2. When the horns are growing the fastest, at what age, and how fast do they grow? ie; 1 inch a month?

3. Are horns judged by girth as well as spread or just spread?

Thanks,
Alan

Longhorns start growing horns at birth: dime-sized flat buds. With bulls, 90% of horn length at 3 yrs of age. Bulls horns at 12 mos old X 2 = estimated length at maturity. Cows and steers have little longer to reach 90% of growth. On other hand, the horns never stop growing. At start, horns should grow 2 to 4" (Total Horn) a month and "gradually" decline rate over their lifetime. We have some 10-14 YO cows that are growing about 1/2 to 1" a year.

Horns are judged as: Tip To Tip; Total Horn (following curve with measuring); and Around The Poll (diameter).

For a Longhorn with "good horn potential" their TTT or Total length should be at their ear tips (or beyond) at ~205 days weaning. Those of us that are chasing horn as well as body, expect the animal to have at least 24-30" of horn at 1 yr old; less than that, we won't use it in "our" breeding program.

Lot of growth depends on genetics; however, without proper nutrition and mineral program and horn fly control, their potential may be compromized.

Horn growth rate begins a gradual decline from birth to old age. Steers grow more horn than bulls, given the same genetics and management practices.

Any bull that we have that doesn't have Total Horn at ear tips at weaning (or 24" at 1 yr old) is marketed as either a cross-breed bull; to someone wanting more "body than horn" for breeding; or he is put in our freezer.

We get our best Longhorn prices for Horn Length and Eye-Catching color patterns (occasionally one of our solid color longhorns brings a good price too).

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

Dang...my post posted TWICE! Deleted second entry. LOL.

 

[warpaint]

Bill summed it up pretty well.