Raising longhorn as an ffa project

[JANSLEY817]

So my son has started at a new school and wants to join FFA. He is wanting to raise a longhorn. We have 2 acres it can romp on, and can always add supplemental feed. Can anyone give me tips on raising a longhorn, and if its a good animal for him to show? I used to rodeo so I know how to rope em and ride em, but have no clue on raising them.

[Hunter_Man]

i was looking into this a while back when I bought my ranch to keep my ag exemption... my friend in Abilene raises and sells registered longhorns. his quote to me was "they can lick a rock and survive". they require almost no maintenance, but with 2 acres you will need to obviously supplement. they are very docile, and lots of people consider them "yard art". huge pets basically. I ended up getting a couple Angus heifers recently, as the resale is much easier than longhorns.

if you're looking for one to purchase, look up my buddy at "flying A ranch" on facebook. he has a couple calves for sale I believe right now.

[JANSLEY817]

i was looking into this a while back when I bought my ranch to keep my ag exemption... my friend in Abilene raises and sells registered longhorns. his quote to me was "they can lick a rock and survive". they require almost no maintenance, but with 2 acres you will need to obviously supplement. they are very docile, and lots of people consider them "yard art". huge pets basically. I ended up getting a couple Angus heifers recently, as the resale is much easier than longhorns.

if you're looking for one to purchase, look up my buddy at "flying A ranch" on facebook. he has a couple calves for sale I believe right now.

Good deal, Ill look him up. I also found a guy online who will give one for free to kids in FFA. So I sent him a message also. Anyone know where I can find dependable reading material on raising and caring for them?
I was wanting to look at a few dexter cows myself, but he would prefer the longhorn.

[JANSLEY817]

Also should he be looking for a heifer or a steer? With horses I always preferred a gelding.

[BrandonF]

When you say "raise" do you mean he wants to show it or what?

In all honesty there really isn't much that you can do with a longhorn...

If he really wants an FFA project and wants to show cattle in the future, get something besides a long horn. He will have a lot more options as far as shows that he can go to with something like an Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Simmental, etc.

[JANSLEY817]

When you say "raise" do you mean he wants to show it or what?

In all honesty there really isn't much that you can do with a longhorn...

If he really wants an FFA project and wants to show cattle in the future, get something besides a long horn. He will have a lot more options as far as shows that he can go to with something like an Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Simmental, etc.

Yes Sir, he wants to show them.

[BrandonF]

Also should he be looking for a heifer or a steer? With horses I always preferred a gelding.

Depends on what he wants to do. You need to have a conversation with him about whether he is wanting to grow a small herd, if so go with a heifer, of just have something to do.

When I was in HS I showed both. Steers for market animals with the option to make sale at major shows and make some of my money back (notice I didn't say make a profit). I also showed heifers and cow/calf pairs. When I moved off to college I sold the pairs and remaining heifers to pay tuition.

There are plenty of other projects that he could do in FFA that don't require an animal.

[Rack Ranch]

NO, there is not a place for him to show them as a market steer or a breed heifer show at county or majors. There is however open shows where he would show against adults and Longhorn ranchers and whatnot but it isn't thru FFA.

[JANSLEY817]

Depends on what he wants to do. You need to have a conversation with him about whether he is wanting to grow a small herd, if so go with a heifer, of just have something to do.

When I was in HS I showed both. Steers for market animals with the option to make sale at major shows and make some of my money back (notice I didn't say make a profit). I also showed heifers and cow/calf pairs. When I moved off to college I sold the pairs and remaining heifers to pay tuition.

There are plenty of other projects that he could do in FFA that don't require an animal.

Ill sit down and talk with him more tonight. The Ag teacher at his school just told him he needed to hurry and get on it if he is wanting to show.

[JANSLEY817]

NO, there is not a place for him to show them as a market steer or a breed heifer show at county or majors. There is however open shows where he would show against adults and Longhorn ranchers and whatnot but it isn't thru FFA.

Well darn. Ill have to tell him to look at other breeds then. Any suggestion as to breeds that tend to be more docile? We like the looks of brahmans, but have no clue about them either. Before he told me what he was wanting to do, I was looking at dexters. I've read they are pretty easy going, and there size appeals to me.

[Traildust]

Maybe request a meeting with his Again teacher. They can probably help you out more.

[BrandonF]

Ill sit down and talk with him more tonight. The Ag teacher at his school just told him he needed to hurry and get on it if he is wanting to show.

Talk to him tonight and then talk to his ag teacher tomorrow.

Showing livestock is a very expensive hobby, but extremely rewarding for your son and you. Its a 365 day chore that requires a lot of hard work and dedication and long hours spent with your animal. If he really shows interest in a steer/ heifer project, find a way to make it happen for him. He will forever appreciate it. I know I sure did.

[JANSLEY817]

Maybe request a meeting with his Again teacher. They can probably help you out more.

I will for sure. Im just having a slow day at work, and knew a few people here had experience with FFA and such.

[Acameron52]

My folks have a handful of longhorns for yard art. Big, beautiful animals that don't require much work. Theirs are pretty docile, you can love on them with no problem. They can leave town for weeks at a time and not worry about them.

[JANSLEY817]

Talk to him tonight and then talk to his ag teacher tomorrow.

Showing livestock is a very expensive hobby, but extremely rewarding for your son and you. Its a 365 day chore that requires a lot of hard work and dedication and long hours spent with your animal. If he really shows interest in a steer/ heifer project, find a way to make it happen for him. He will forever appreciate it. I know I sure did.

Will do. Thank you.