The project has been planned unlike any other nonprofit in the follow way.
First we must demonstrate to the farmers and ranchers how well Texas Longhorn cattle thrive in harsh desert environments. Then teach them how to work with these cattle in a safe and humane manner. Next, donate Texas Longhorn cattle to them so that they can breed desert genetics of these cattle into their failing herds to improve their herds adaptability to the harsh conditions.
The production of the Texas Longhorn cattle will make the project self-supporting, allowing us to fund all its educational and charitable activities.
Texas Longhorn cattle have a 400-year history of not only surviving but also proliferating and flourishing during their 400-year history in the Texas/Mexico desert. There are many stories; eyewitness accounts and folklore tales of Longhorn ability to not only survive but flourish in harsh environments. We will scientifically document this ability, for the first time ever.
Part 1. Texas Longhorn cattle are reported to feed on desert shrubs, tree leaves and cactus. We will document which desert plants the Texas Longhorn cattle feed on.
Part 2. We will evaluate if the natural desert feed can maintain these cattle, cause growth and support reproduction, as it did in the Texas/Mexico desert.
Part 3. Do the cattle’s feeding habits have a positive effect on the environment — reducing and controlling shrub plant growth? Once we demonstrate this to be so, Texas Longhorn cattle will become on going solution for controlling the shrub growth in the Galilee.
Part 4. Document Texas Longhorn cattle’s behavior to verify mothering ability and foraging ability.
Part 5. Can the Longhorn or a cross Longhorn help to increase the meat supply in Israel and is it economical?We will establish what percentage of Longhorn genetics is required in Israel cattle to improve their adaptability to their desert environment. The best crossbreeds for Longhorn cattle are Angus, Hereford and Simmental cattle.
Part 6. Document Texas Longhorn cattle’s response to local diseases and predators.
Part 7. Texas Longhorn cattle genetics will be used to solve genetic problems in the Israeli beef industry. We will also use their genetics to improve Israeli cattle herds and we will continue to genetically improve the Texas Longhorn cattle breed.
Part 8. The project will pursue the goals of ecological sustainability. The animals will not receive antibiotics or growth hormones. Any animal requiring therapeutic treatment will be treated and remove from the herd. No antibiotics will be added to the feed. Only vitamins and minerals will be added to their feed. Animal By-products will never be fed to our animals.
We will stock pastureland with the number of animals that will maintain a healthy, sustainable pasture.
Part 9. Teaching, explaining and demonstrating the positive results of the project and teaching western cattle management techniques to Israelis, Arabs, and East Africans cattle producers. Classes and seminars:
Part 10. We will donate seam, bulls, cows and calves to those ranchers and herds in Israel that need help. We will help those who wish to go into ranching with seed cattle. We will donate calves to children and schools to help them learn how to raise and care for cattle.
Part 11. The Department of Food Science at the Agriculture Department will evaluate the meat quality of the Texas Longhorn and of their crossbreeds.
Part 12. If possible the project will expand to testing other animals/cattle that might function well in desert conditions.
Part 13. As the different parts of experiment are completed we will publish the results in Israel and America in scientific and agriculture publications. We will share the results with the Texas Longhorn Heritage Foundation and the International Texas Longhorn Association.
Part 14. The project will use Nabataean desert water techniques developed in the 2nd century B.C.-106 A. D.