Longevity: Longhorns have an incredibly long productive life. Many live past 20 years of age and some produce after 25 or 30 years. This longevity means the rancher can retain cows longer and sell more young cattle for a profit.
Calving ease: As a breed, the average longhorn cattle have an unassisted calving rate of 99%. Calves are typically smaller and weigh less than the average commercial beef cow. The shape of the head and shoulders are more tapered to better fit the pelvic opening of the cow. This makes calving easier and faster with little stress to the cow or calf. The calf is usually up and running before the farmer knows it has been born. In the twelve years I have been raising Texas Longhorn cattle I have yet to see a calf born. I have found them only a few minutes old, but I have never seen an actual birth.
disease resistance: Longhorns are more resistant to common cattle diseases such as conjunctivitis and foot rot. This means fewer vet visits and fewer vaccinations, lowering your supply costs. I have never had a case of conjunctivitis, eye cancer or foot rot in my longhorn cattle.
lean meat: Texas Longhorn beef is leaner and lower in cholesterol than boneless, skinless chicken breast with more amino acids and necessary nutrients. (Texas A&M, 1987) This is an excellent marketing tool for ranchers to use. With our societies moving towards leaner meats and a more health conscious way of eating longhorn beef fits the bill.
Pasture utilization: Longhorn cattle will eat a greater variety of plants and grasses than other beef cattle. Longhorns will actually search for trees and bushes similar to deer. Therefore, longhorns will make more use of available plant matter to convert to body weight and reduce the need for food to be supplied.
Lower production cost: Due to the hardy nature of longhorns, they do not require a barn for shelter. Longhorns do very well, even in winter if they have shelter from the wind and some trees to shade them from the summer sun. My Texas longhorn cattle live on pasture year-round in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where my ranch is located and do very well.
Hybrid Vigor: Crossing longhorn cattle with other beef breeds introduces hybrid vigor in the resulting offspring. This means that the calves that result from the cross will grow faster and have characteristics that make them generally better. My neighbor uses a longhorn bull on all of his first Herford heifers and is very impressed with the quality of calves he gets.