Research

The Story Of Texas Longhorns, As Told By Their DNA
After arriving on Spanish ships, North America’s first cattle were left to roam the unfenced lands of Texas and Mexico, subject to hundreds of years of natural selection. Emily Jane McTavish, of the University of Texas at Austin, talks about reconstructing the history of longhorns through their DNA.

Working under the supervision of Alfred W. Roark Centennial Professor David Hillis, Ph.D., we funded two summer research fellowships for Emily Jane McTavish, Graduate student in Ecology Evolution Behavior, Section of Integrative Biology at the University of Texas at Austin, to analyze 50K chip data from Texas Longhorns and compare that to 50,000 alleles mapped from 40 other breeds of cattle in effort to identify breed-specific markers. Their research continues with a training grant to help discover the origins and admixture of the Texas Longhorn. Emily has integrated data across platforms (Illumina 50K data with Bovine Genome Project HapMap data with USDA MARC data). She and Dr. Hillis have collaborated with Jerry Taylor, Professor and Wurdack Chair of Animal Genomics at the University of Missouri; Mike Heaton, Ph.D. with the USDA Meat Animal Research Center; and Amparo Martinez in Uruguay working in cooperation with SERGA, the Spanish Society for the Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources. Using the data analysis software STRUCTURE, Emily has identified breed specific SNPs that place various breeds along a linear scale. She developed analysis software that interprets Illumina 3K chip data to calculate percent Indicus in individuals for comparison with populations to determine breed.

Reports on this study will be linked here when available.

The Genetics of Coloration in Texas Longhorns
An in-depth series on frequency of color patterns by David M. Hillis, an Alfred W. Roark Centennial Professor at The University of Texas at Austin

Predicting breed composition using breed frequencies of 50,000 markers from the U.S. Meat animal Research Center 2,000 bull project

Bovine Genome Project
We participated in the Bovine Genome Project conducted by the Bovine Genome Lab at the Human Genome Sequencing Center at Baylor College of Medicine.

We are also participating in a comparative project begun by Dr. Gama from Portugal and Dr. Delgado from Córdoba, Spain on descendants of Iberian bovines. This study continues in the US on four lines of Spanish descent.

Genetic diversity, structure, and breed relationships in Iberian cattle
by: I. Martín-Burriel, C. Rodellar, J. Cañón, O. Cortés, S. Dunner, V. Landi, A. Martínez-Martínez, L. T. Gama, C. Ginja, M. C. T. Penedo, A. Sanz, P. Zaragoza and J. V. Delgado
Abstract (link), Full Text (pdf)

The following are links to longhorn genetics research findings.

A body of research by Kenneth K. Kidd, Ph.D., Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine:

Education
A curriculum for 4th and 7th Grade Texas History that explains the roll the Texas Longhorn played in defining the history of Texas, may be downloaded for use by any teacher, homeschooler or persons seeking educational materials to share with children. Also linked, are suggested activities and teaching aides that parallel the curriculum. A comprehensive history lesson is available that weaves in the Texas Longhorn beginning in 1521 through present day.

Enrique Guerra Interview (link to external video)

Texas History and Social Studies

  1. Longhorn History (.pdf)
  2. TEK Curriculum (.pdf)
  3. Map of Spain (.pdf)
  4. Brand Activity (.jpg)
  5. Tracks .pdf)
  6. Last 5000 (.pdf)
  7. Wikipedia Chinook explanation
  8. Cattle introduction to Americas map (.pdf)
  9. New Spain map (.pdf)
  10. Loading horses diagram (.pdf)
  11. Hat Styles (.jpg)
  12. Spurs (.jpg)
  13. Spanish Lasso (.jpg)

Science
This science curriculum is designed to meet state TEKs and give a comprehensive overview of Genetics and Natural Selection including: phenotypes, genotypes, punnett squares, species adaptation to biomes and a comparison between natural selection and selective breeding.

  1. Horn Genetics (PowerPoint) + Bos Taurus Horn Genetics Worksheet (pdf)
    --Middle School Science, Grade 7 112.19.b
    Science Lesson in Genotypes and Phenotypes;  Punnett Square exercise in inheritance percentages
  2. Base Color (PowerPoint) + Bos Taurus Base Color Genetics Worksheet (pdf)
    --Middle School  Science, Grade 7 112.19.b
    Science lesson in heredity; genes, chromosomes, nucleus, alleles
    Punnett Square exercise in predicting color allele combinations
    --High School Biology 112.34.c
    Nucleic acids, Mendelian Genetics, commonality of genetic code
  3. Bos Taurus DNA Genetics (PowerPoint) + a) scatter plot 1 (pdf) + b) DNA plot 1 (pdf) + c) DNA plot 2 (pdf) + World Map (pdf)
    --High School Biology 112.34.c
    Components of DNA, gene expression, evolutionary theory: 
    DNA fingerprinting, genetic modifications, and chromosomal analysis are used to study the genomes of organisms.
  4. Natural Selection 1 (PowerPoint) + Comparing Longhorn & Hereford Traits Worksheet (pdf)
    --Middle School Science, Grade 7  112.19.b 
    Science Lesson in Genetic variations within populations
    Natural Selection versus Selective Breeding
    --High School Biology 112.34.c
    In depth study of Natural Selection, taxonomy and hierarchical classification
  5. Natural Selection 2 (PowerPoint) + Comparing Cattle & their Ecosystems Worksheet (pdf)
    --Middle School Science, Grade 7  112.19.b
    Science Lesson in genetic variations within a species, Natural Selection, heredity and biomes
    --High School Biology 112.34.c
    Natural Selection causing changes in populations, environmental resources resulting in differential reproductive success, adaptation and diversity

Conservation Programs

The very existence of Texas Longhorn cattle is threatened today by extinction through crossbreeding.  Our sister organization, The Cattlemen’s Texas Longhorn Registry, using visual appraisal and blood typing for evidence of impurity, has registered only 4473 animals since its formation in 1990.  At least half of those registered have completed their life span.  Most offspring are sold into the recreational roping cattle market and beef industry.  A substantial number of the limited animals used for breeding stock are sold to ranchers that either do not maintain pedigree records or use the Texas Longhorn cattle in crossbreeding programs to produce beef cattle. Those animals are forever lost from our genetic base for replacement stock.  An estimated 1500 living, registered animals comprise the only genetic pool, perpetuated by approximately 50 active breeders within that organization.  Scientific knowledge will continue to benefit from our research project to create a DNA database genetically defining the Texas Longhorn; so future research may identify healthful attributes to benefit mankind.

Survival of this breed is dependant on raising public awareness of the economic value of these cattle in the health food industry as well as educational value through their historical significance.  The colorful history of this breed fostered an untold number of folktales.  Longhorns were important to this country, especially during the two decades following the War Between the States when an estimated ten million were driven up legendary trails to feed a hungry nation.  Those drives restored the devastated Texas economy saving the state from ruin.  This northern march of cattle has been called “the largest movement of animals under the direction of man in the history of the world.”

Public herds including those at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Lawton Oklahoma, Fort Robinson State Park herd in Nebraska, and Big Bend Ranch State Park herd in Presidio, Texas, all represent historically correct, genetically pure Texas Longhorn cattle.  The Conservancy encourages sound breeding practices and maintenance of high quality records for breed integrity.  Efforts are under way to develop DNA records that will effect research and aid in the advancement of scientific knowledge for a better understanding of the breed’s ancestry and for the development of its leading role in the world’s beef cattle industry.  Four hundred years of Natural Selection in the wilds of what is now Mexico and the Southwestern United States evolved this distinct breed from its Iberian origin that possesses greater endurance, range grazing efficiency, and leaner, lower cholesterol beef that is higher in protein than European and Continental breeds of cattle.  These animals meld into holistic, sustainable range management where their future value may be realized as urban expansion consumes desirable agricultural land pushing producers of this nation’s food supply further out into marginal country.

As a means of elevating reverence for this breed we are producing an hour-long PBS quality documentary that identifies distinctive characteristics of pure Texas Longhorn cattle and educates on the value of preserving those traits.  The film will archive stories and memories of four long-time Texas ranchers:  Enrique Guerra, descendant from a Spanish ranching family that first came to the New World in the 1700’s; Maudeen Marks, daughter of Emil H. Marks whom was instrumental in founding the Houston Fatstock Show and Rodeo; Lawrence Wallace, cousin of legendary cattleman and Texas Ranger Graves Peeler; and Fayette Yates, third-generation longhorn rancher from West Texas.  Wilson Waggoner filmed these aging treasures of the longhorn industry at their homes in interviews conducted by Ramona Kelly, where they toured their herds of cattle while recollecting images of their fathers’ wisdom and of growing up on a ranch in the 1930’s.  The documentary will give testament to a vanishing way of life that is echoed in the disappearing breed of cattle that created their livelihood. 

The first phase of interviews was funded by donations from the Cattlemen’s Texas Longhorn Registry membership.  The raw footage will be forever archived at The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History in Austin, Texas for future scholastic research.  The second phase of filming includes live action documentation of an authentic cattle work day on a West Texas ranch where cowboys on horses with the help of trained dogs gathered and held a herd of calves to be sorted and worked the traditional way.  It included an old-fashioned chuck wagon dinner with campfire conversation.  Two of the four principal persons interviewed in the documentary attended this event.  This was a golden opportunity to capture on film their interaction, stimulating more reminiscing and fireside storytelling.  Due to their advanced years and age-related health problems and death of Fayette Yates and Maudeen Marks since the filming, we will never again have that opportunity. 

Private donations to the Conservancy and a donation from the Cattlemen's Texas Longhorn Registry funded the third phase of filming when Marc McWilliams of Running G Productions/GameGuard captured more cattle action at a modern workday of Lawrence Wallace’s herd where helicopters were used to gather cattle on his vast Brush Country ranch near Del Rio, Texas.

The Cattlemen's Texas Longhorn Conservancy needs your help for this project to continue.  Individuals interested in the preservation of the legacy of Texas Longhorns may mail their contribution to Cattlemen's Texas Longhorn Conservancy • 1933 CR 299 • Gonzales, TX  78629.  Please specify in the memo line of your check the project name “Documentary” so correct credit is made.  Estimated budget to complete production of this documentary is $162,000.  This includes research of the Federal Archives for letters and photographs and possibly old motion picture footage of cattle drives, interviews of experts in longhorn history, production, editing, licensing, insurance, voice-over, and all expenses associated in film production.  Our goal is for this documentary to be aired on Public Broadcasting Service television, History Channel, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, Science Channel, and place a copy in every Regional Education Service Center within the state of Texas.  We would also like to make DVDs available for public purchase at history museums, state and national parks, and at the location of other public institutions and destinations that share our goals of conservation and education.