| Hundreds of the best Texas Longhorns, along with the nation's top breeders, were present for the first time at the George Memorial Ranch this past weekend for the 2008 Texas Longhorn Marketing Alliance Inaugural Heifer Sale and Gala.
“We are so excited to be at the George Ranch,” said Dorie Damuth, longhorn breeder from Magnolia. “It is just the perfect place to be for this.”
Breeders of the Texas Longhorn Association from over 15 states brought in the longhorns with “the best horns, most beautiful coats and most gorgeous bodies,” to sell, said breeder Ilenne Robinson of El Campo. “Only the best cattle are for sale here.”
After dinner was served on Friday, 61 heifers ranging in the “few thousand dollars” price range were auctioned off.
Robinson said many people would be looking for the “three-in-one package,” which is a pregnant cow plus a calf, because it is a “great way to start a herd.”
And there were quite a few “starter kits” available.
Damuth said the single highest selling heifer was from a ranch in Alabama sold for $15,000.
But the bellowing of the heifers weren't the only sounds echoing throughout the covered area of the George Ranch Friday night.
Following the heifer auction, country singer Mark Chesnutt made his own musical contribution to the event as well.
And while the crowd was excited to hear Chesnutt, Robinson said many of the ranchers present were just as excited to see Maudeen Marks.
Marks, daughter of the founder of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, traveled all the way from her ranch in Bandera, TX to make the weekend's events - pink cowboy hat and all.
“That pink hat is her trademark,” said Damuth. “Everyone knows Maudeen and her pink hat.”
Robinson said among many people, especially the ranchers, Marks “is very well respected and famous cowgirl.”
The longhorn sale continued Saturday afternoon when 160 grown longhorns went to auction.
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