The Rural Voice, 2003-12, Page 31Johnston Creek Ranch just outside of
Kincardine.
They got involved through their
son Mark, who lives in Calgary and
owns more than half of their cows.
Until 1989, they had
dairy Holsteins then they
had veal calves for seven to
eight years and until two
years ago they didn't have
any cows.
"We figured we wouldn't
have any more cows, then
our son wanted them. He
was fascinated with them for
years," said Jean.
She said Mark comes
home periodically and does
the financing and branding.
Like the Tuers, the
Johnstons liked the Texas
Longhorn cows because they
are a unique breed.
"They are the survivors of
the survivors," said Murray.
Jean said they will eat
almost anything, but they
really enjoy grassy hay and when
they are in the pasture, they prefer
grass over the alfalfa.
She said if you want to clean up
somewhere on your lawn, the
cows will browse, meaning
they will eat small branches and
twigs.
Calves gradually put on weight by
eating oats to wean them off their
mother.
He said cattle like to be outside
and not enclosed in a barn and are
not afraid of predators because the
cows will kill them.
Jean said one cow will stay with
all the calves in the field while the
herd goes in for water.
"That's how strong their motherly
instincts are," she said.
"Calves have different sounds and
if one is in trouble the rest (of the
cattle) would come and help the
calf," said Murray.
He agreed that they are easy
calvers and rarely have problems
delivering.
A cow can have calves until she is
around 20 years old and can have up
to 20 to 25 calves during her life.
"They have an amazingly long
reproductive life," said Jean.
Usually a calf will weigh about 44
pounds when born, but they had a
calf born this spring that weighed 90
pounds.
Murray said Longhorns don't like
to be cornered and like anything else,
their instincts tell them not to go
somewhere that they can't get out of.
ranges of Mexico.
In 1690. the first herd of cattle.
only about 200 head. were driven
toward Mexico to a mission near the
Sabine River, This land would
become known as Texas.
By the time of the Civil
War. almost 300 years after
setting foot in .America.
millions of Longhorns ranged
between the mesquite -dotted
sandy hanks of the Rio Bravo
in the sandbeds of the Sabine.
The survivors of the Civil
War returned home to Texas to
find abandoned ranches.
unplowed farm fields and
herds of wild cattle. which
would soon become gold in
their pockets.
Longhorns were groomed
by Mother Nature and carried
the ideal characteristics of
resistance. They were
tremendous for long drives.
They could go incredible
distances without water. rustle
their own food. fend for themselves.
swim in rivers, survive the desert sun
and winter snow.
Unfortunately. at the turn of the
century. sundown came for the Texas
Longhorn. It took less than 4(1 years
of fenced -in land. plows and an
o%erwhelming demand in the
marketplace to dri'e the Longhorn
closer to extinction than the buffalo.
The federal goxernment helped to
preseryc the Texas Longhorn in
1927
Gradually more breeders started
raising private stock and recognizing
the %alue of Texas Longhorns. The
need grew for breed standards and a
direst line of communication
between the Longhorn hreeders.0
Longhorns
each anim
come in many colours and horns are unique to
al.
"Once they know it is safe and you
won't hurt them. they are okay." he
said.
Last year they halter trained their
cows and Jean said some are more
gentle than others.
"Some have different personalities
than others. It is partly the way you
treat them and the amount of time
you spend training them." she said.
The Texas Longhorn claimed their
first rights in the untamed in the
newly discovered Americas a little
over 500 years ago and became the
foundation of the American cattle
industry.
In 1493. Christopher Columbus
brought Spanish cattle to Santa
Domingo and within 2(X0 years their
descendants kkould he grazing the
'Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.
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