The ldeal Genetic Package An Update on Texas Longhorn Crossbreeding

Jerry Williams has likewise committed cows to a Gelhorn program. He has 30 first cross calves and says 500J00 Gelbvieh Longhorn calves will be born this year. "We look for an animal in six or seven years that has size, lean meat, is an early breeder, good milker, and requires no hormones to grow." Dick Robbins is a commercial beef cattle- man in Belvidere, Kansas. Like the Salorn and Gelhorn enthusiasts, Robbins maintains a herd ofTexas Longhorns and raises seedstock. But as a commercial beef producer, he is con- vinced that Longhorn genetics play a much needed role in the beef industry. Robbins crosses Longhorns on Hereford and Angus Above lefi: John T. Baker inspects his first cows and Simmental bulls on Longhorn cows. cross Salorn calves: abote: a first cross He has 400 crossbred calves ofvarious mixes Gelhorn calf owned \' Jerry Williams. on the ground. For Robbins, this method of utilizing Longhorn genetics produces "the most pounds of saleable meat off the grass I The January/February issue of the Texas don't have large programs "should not be have at the cheapest cost, a Z0-day adjusted Longhorn Journal featured an article on Earl intimidated to get involved in the Salorn or weight equal to the mother cow's. Our crosses McConnell and his Texas Longhorn cross- other crosses--it makes sense whether you are slaughtered at 13-14 months in the high breeding program. McConnell, like dozens of have a few or many." Limb expects to breed choice range with yield grades of ones and other Texas Longhorn breeders, has made a 20-25 Longhorn co\4's to Salers bulls this twos. This is without supplemental feed and committment to using Longhorn genetics to season. without hormones." produce animals which, in McConnell's Bill Anthony has a Salorn program in full Horlock Land and Cattle Company is one words, "grow out to be feeder animals, swing with 80 head of 50 percent Salers- of the pioneers in the Salorn breed. At the converting feed into a product that when hung Longhorn calves on the ground. Says Bobby National Western Stock Show's Fed Beef on the rail will please the packer. The carcass Townley, herd manager for Anthony's B Bar Contest, according to Horlock manager, Tom has to be turned into a retail cut the consumer D Longhorns, "We expect to develop an Hogan, the Horlock Salers-Longhorn cross will want to buy with a thin rind and tender animal that is adaptable to any climate, has entries placed so well in their own division when cooked." the calving ease both breeds are noted for with that their indexing "would have beaten the McConnell's Texas Longhorn and French high rate-of-gain and low trim fat." Townley high-placing carcasses in the lightweight Salers crossbreeding program numbers 1500 says he and Anthony anticipate the day when divisicn had they been in that division." to 2000 animals from hrst to second cross, and the Texas Longhorn is as accepted in The Texas Longhorn Journal has a growing is geared toward producing full-blood crossbreeding programs "as some of the list of Longhorn breeders and commercial "synthetic Salorn cattle, a three-eighths Brangus and Brahma based breeds." cattle people who are actively using Longhorn Longhorn, five-eighths Salers beef animal." John T. Baker in Liberty, Texas also has a genetics in crossbreeding programs and in the Fellow Longhorn breeder Darol Dickinson, Salorn program under*ay. "The two breeds development of synthetic breeds. Salorn, an early advocate of the Salorn breed who complement each other. The Longhorns are Gelhorn, Limousin, blaclibaldies, Angus, raises both Longhorns and full- blood Salers, genetically lean and the Salers have the Chianina, Hereford and others, are all promi- advises breeders "to understand the signifi- necessary muscling." nent on this list of canle to which Longhorn cance of this genetic manipulation." Another popular crossbreed using Texas traits are being infused to develop better, more Don Limb is a relatively new breeder of Longhorn genetics with a goal to a three- efficient beef. Texas Longhorns who has become very eighths-five-eighths synthetic breed is that of As the l,onghorn grows in popularity as "the enthusiastic over the breed's role in genetic Longhorn and Gelbvieh. The breed is to be ideal genetic package" for today's beef utilization of traits on beef animals. Limb, like called "Gelhorn." Stanley Rogers is one of a producer, the Texas Longhorn Journal will many others, is drawn toward the Salorn. Says growing number of breeders involved in the endeavor to keep you posted on the progress. the Ford Aerospace Engineer, "I'm an Gelhorn project with 15 to 20 percent animals We hope you'll do the same by writing to us engineer and I'm convinced of things by now on the ground. "This cross can produce with your crossbreeding success-stories. Write numbers, and the numbers for the Salorn breed an animal that can gain in the feedlot in record to Ideal Genetic Package, c/o The Texas add up." Limb, who calls himself a "small time," says Rogers. "The Gelbvieh has been longhorn Journal, P.O. Box D09, Monument, breeder" says those breeders like himself who known to gain 5.25 pounds per day." Colorado 80918.

36 JULY/AUGUST 1988 Salorn to Incorporate Positive Traits from Both Sides of the Atlantic by Laura Flood and Stan Searle

The already flourishing it must be adaptable to a large Riviera, Texas demonstrate when compared with many Salers market is getting an ex- percentage o[ the earth's tropi- excellent adaptability. And, as breeds, is another advantage. tra boost from the demand for cal and subtropical environ- Dr. Bonsma has pointed out, Bonal claims that "the ease of bulls to be used in the Salorn ments. Salers are unquestiona- cattle adapted to the tropical calving of Salers cows and heif- breed creation. Far more than bly superior in carcass traits, areas seem to have the ability to ers is due both to the dam (large just another avenue ofnormal yet evolved in a cold, damp, move to cooler climates more pelvic opening and low calf sales for crossbreeding, the high-mountain area. Their de- easily than cool-weather cattle weight) and the sire. Thepelvic development of the Salorn is velopment over thousands of can move to a warmer climate. opening in S alers females is the based upon proven Salers ge- years has perfectly adapted them The excellent browse utili- largest of all French beef cattle, netics. The Salers, along with to colder-than-average areas of zation of the Salers breed is hence calvings are easier, even select registered Texas Long- the global terrain. well-established. They thrived when the Salers is crossed with horns, is the key to what Frank On the otherhand, the Salers' in the rugged Cantel Mountains fleshy beef bulls." Horlock, president of the Inter- ability to adapt to tropic or sub- of France for 7000 years. In the The Longhorn, of course, is national Salorn Association, tropical countries is not a strong Vedreine Herd Book. A. Bonal known for its having calved feels wiil be "the number one, unassisted in North America for World Class lean beef breed of nearly 500 years. Every cow the future." Like most of the that did not calve unassisted pioneer breeders of Salorn, died. thus climinating any ani- Horlock bases his confidence mals that were dystocia-prone. on extensive experience with Eugene F. Pyle, Jr., owner and other beef breeds. operator of Pantera Ranch in Salers breeders are, of Oakland, Oregon, has over 100 course, aware of the superior head ofregistered Texas Long- qualities their cattle possess. horns, and is also using Salers I In lending the 5/8 French S alers bulls on a portion of his herd. blood to 3/8 Texas Longhorn, He comments, "I won't keep a the resulting Salorn will Longhorn cow that doesn't have strongly reflect the Salers posi- a calf unassisted every year." tive traits. The resulting Sa- The Salers x Longhorn lom breed will consist of mostly Survivability, good maternal irctincts, sound structure and (Salorn F-1) calves range from solid red cattle. This pigmen- rapid growth will be traits inherent to the Salorn breed. 55 to 75 pounds at birth. Their tation of sensitive membranes streamlined shape, as weil as around the eyes, nose, udder genetic point. In contrast, Texas says, "Since Salers cattle used moderate birth weights, assure and lower legs is important to Longhorns have superior tropi- to travel long distances in the minimum calving difficulty. professional cattlemen. His- cal heat tolerance with early- past from summer Btazing Lo Mothering and milking tory has shown that both Salers spring hair shedding. Also, their wilter quarters, they were ability are other strong attrib- and Texas Longhorns have ex- many of the genetic weaknesses used for centuries for drought utes in both Salers and Long- hibited maximum resistance to found in tropical cattle breeds- purposes and nowadays graze horn cattle. Longhorn cows are pink eye, cancer eye and udder such as late puberty, poor car- over wide high-altitude areas. often seen "babysitting" sev- burn. cass traits and bad disposition- They have developed very eral calves while their mothers One of the world's foremost are not found in Texas Long- strong legs and good feet with are off grazing. The Salers cows genetic scientists, Professor Jan horns. black hooves. Consequently, has milk that is high in protein Bonsma of Pretoria, South Dr. Bonsma notes thal 80 these cattie are able to walk for and "gives the Salers an advan- Africa, believes there is a defi- percent of the world's cattle long distances over stony or tage at the very beginning of its nite need for a tropically- producing area is ffopic or sub- damp ground without becom- 1ife," Bonal says. Ultimate adapted, carcass-quality breed. tropic. This is the "new fron- ing lame. Thus the geneticblend growth rates are obtained from Through years ofstudy and ob- tier" for thc Salers genetics and of two such hearty breeds as the Salers without supplementary servation his research points to many feel that the Salorn is the Salers and the Longhorn, to feedings, which is the result of the Salers-Longhorn (Salorn) vehicle to create the adaptabil- assure cattle that will cover the Salers' superior mammary as the perfect genetic blend. ity key. Experience gained by ground. They will browse well system and the calves' genetic Pigment is perhaps the least early participants in the Salorn and keep themselves in good growth potential, of the Salorn's functional at- development such as Dickin- condition on less feed, while The calm disposition tributes. To produce a "World son Ranch in Colorado and other breeds may not. of the Salorn, derived from both Class" carcass breed means that Horlock Land and Cattle of The calving of Salers, the Longhorn and Salers, is

SALORN SENTINEL beneficial in more ways than Both breeds have very little be doubly enhanced. Many cat- participate. A division of the one. Dr. Bonsma has noted that back fat. The ratio of small tlemen have recognized that, in herd would allow a continued any wild animal, in the hands bone to a very large rib eye terms of long term profit, lon- Salers operation while reaping of a capable trainer, such as a makes their carcasses competi- gevity is possibly the most es- the benefits from a herd of Sa- lion tamer, can be tamed and tive. sential ingredient of any breed. Iorn cattle. docile. But this does not change Salers breeders may recall One of the original Salers sires Salers breeders already en- the inherent personality of the the 1987 Spring Performance selected lor the Salorn project joy the reputation of a lean entire species, In the case of test by the Indiana Beef Evalu- has a grandam that is 21 years carcass breed and relatively easy hot-tempered cattle, Dr. ation Inc. There were 100 en- old, has raised 20 natural calves fleshing. By expanding thcir Bonsma's research showed, "As tries representing nine breeds. and holds the all-time milk scope of operations to include a result of poor temperament, The winner was a half-blood record in France. A Longhorn the Salorn, they can profit by the pH of the meat of those Salers owned by Fuller Farms cow reported to be prominent providing foundation of one cattle is 5.9 or higher. Hence of Indiana. The bull had an in many new Salorn pedigrees who expands their market by the meat is tough and the shelf average daily weight gain of is documented to have annually reaching more commercial cat- life is shortened. The result is 4.66 pounds. The average for calved until her 32nd birthday. tlemen and stock (112,314 and that stores which sell a large the other bulls was 3.86. In the There are numerous ways in 5/8 Salers) to the dramatically proportion of our meat (in South 1987 Denver National West- which to participate in the profit growing Salorn industry. And, Africa) relrain frorn buying ern Carcass Contest, a Long- potential of this synthetic breed they'11 also find themselves cattle known for nervousness." horn x Salers had the highest creation. If one has a herd of getting better utilization of Once in the feedlot, the abil- index of any prime grade entry fullblood Salers bulls, they are marginal rangelands and lower ity to gain (a Salers strcngth), in the competition. in demand by cattle operations labor and management costs and to resist disease (a Texas Since both Salers and Long- that are beginning a Salorn because of the improved calv- Longhorn attribute) will deter- horn cattle have long produc- operation. A Salers ranch is also ing, traveling and disease resis- mine a breed's profitabiliry. tive lives, the S alorn breed will a jump ahead if they want to tance inhcrent in the S)lorn.