Also known as the Spanish Longhorn, the large, wide-horned Texas Longhorn breed of cattle was introduced to Mexico by the Spanish Conquistadors in 1521. They were of Andalusian and Moroccan stock and their pedigree was impressive. Pictures painted on the walls of caves by Stone Age humans in northern Spain and southern France around 20 000 years ago clearly show their ancestral lineage.
By 1540, the initial group of calves – six heifers and one young bull – introduced by Hernando Cortes, the conqueror of New Spain (Mexico), had increased to such an extent that herds of cattle were able to accompany the ill-fated Francisco Coronado expedition into the interior.
The slow-moving Longhorns were not easy to control and early on into the expedition, General Coronado at Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico, abandoned an unknown number of cattle to be taken as food for members of the entourage.
Twenty-five years later, Spanish chronicler Francisco de Ibarra discovered thousands of their descendants running wild in the same area. Within a few decades, great ranches were established in the province, which at that time included what is today the US’s state of Texas. One of the ranches possessed so many cattle that it branded 30 000 calves in a year.
It is believed that Cortes was the first to put identifying brands on his cattle – the triple Christian cross with which he marked his stock later led to myriads of recorded cattle brands on the continent.
Over the centuries, Texas became a hotbed of competing clashes between local Indian tribes, the Spanish authorities, the French and the US, culminating in Texas being admitted to the Union as a state on December 29 1845.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 17, 2023-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 17, 2023-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Review: the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4×4 GR-Sport III
The third iteration of the Hilux GR-Sport has finally achieved a sense of presence and style befitting its raceinspired branding. But is this the ultimate modern Hilux? Car Magazine takes a closer look.
Why maize prices soar in Kenya and Malawi but not Tanzania
Namhla Landani, an economist at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, and Arthur Khomotso Mahuma, economist and researcher at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, analyse the issue.
Wet carcass syndrome: a scourge in SA sheep farming
Wet carcass syndrome continues to take a huge financial toll on South African sheep farmers. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to two experts about the ongoing genetic research aimed at addressing this issue.
Pollination innovation
Bee-Tech Group is transforming South African agriculture with pollination technologies that boost crop yields and enhance sustainability. Founder Michiel Bruggeman spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel.
The valuable addition that makes this farm tick
Owning the value chain provides farmers with far more control over their produce. However, it requires a fine balance between production and ensuring there is a strong and steady market. Lindi Botha visited Rosemary Hill to find out how this essential oil producer leverages hospitality to make the farm viable.
The benefits of recirculating aquaculture systems
A powerful set of attributes has established recirculating aquaculture systems as a cornerstone of global temperate fish farming, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.
Minister has big plans for emerging and commercial farmers
DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his priorities for his department over the next five years, including an increased focus on biosecurity.
New study aims to make wheat more disease resistant
A recent international study explains how bread wheat has helped to transform the ancient world on its path to becoming the iconic crop that today helps sustain a global population of eight billion.
Conservation farming and biodiversity boost soil health and sustainability
A recent academic event focused on research into the links between soil biodiversity, soil health and sustainable agriculture
What has led to the unparalleled rice shortage in Japan?
Japan is facing a rice shortage amid concerns about a potential 'megaquake', several typhoons and an annual week-long holiday, which has led to an increase in panic buying.