What Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America does

The Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America (TLBAA) is a nonprofit breed registry and membership organization founded in 1964 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It serves as the official registry for Texas Longhorn cattle, maintaining pedigree records for over 450,000 head registered since inception and supporting a community of more than 3,800 active adult and junior members across the United States, Canada, and Australia. The organization is supported by 21 regional affiliate associations and operates the Texas Longhorn Breeders of Tomorrow (TLBT) youth program, which has grown to 14 affiliate groups with 450+ youth members since its 1983 founding. TLBAA is governed by a Board of Directors and operates with a lean staff of 8 employees.

TLBAA's core technology platform is the HORNS herd management system (hosted at horns.digitalbeef.com), which enables online cattle registration, transfers, herd record management, and show point tracking. DNA testing services — including SNP parent verification, GGP100K genomic profiling, Igenity Beef Report, coat color testing, and BVD testing — are processed through a laboratory partnership with Neogen GeneSeek Operations in Lincoln, NE. The organization publishes the monthly Texas Longhorn Trails Magazine in print and digital formats (via Issuu and FlipHtml5), and operates three flagship annual events: Texas Longhorn Weekend (January, co-located with the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo), the TLBAA World Expo (July, Taylor County Expo Center, Abilene, TX), and the TLBAA Horn Showcase (October, Canadian County Expo Center, El Reno, OK).

Revenue is generated through a diversified set of streams: annual membership dues ($125 adult, $25 junior, $1,000 lifetime), per-animal registration and transfer fees ($7.50–$105 depending on animal type and age), Trails Magazine advertising, event vendor and sponsorship fees, marketing services (E-blasts at $70–$95, website button ads at $900–$1,500, online breeders directory at $240/year), DNA testing pass-through, the Registered Texas Longhorn Beef Producer program ($75/year), and creative design services. Distribution occurs through direct membership enrollment, the HORNS self-serve platform, the magazine, 21 affiliate associations acting as regional resellers, and three flagship events that drive both community engagement and cattle sales.

Name

Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America

Legal name

Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America

Website

https://tlbaa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America is a nonprofit breed registry founded in 1964 and headquartered in Fort Worth, TX, serving 3,800+ members across the US, Canada, and Australia with cattle registration, DNA testing, herd management software, a monthly magazine, and three flagship annual events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (115210)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Livestock Identification & Recordkeeping Services (RFID Tagging, Traceability Setup) (AFACAEAH)

Keywords

• Cattle breed registry
• Herd management software
• Livestock DNA testing
• Breed association services
• Agricultural membership organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Worth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual adult membership at $125/year with June 30 expiration; Lifetime membership at $1,000. Active and junior memberships expire annually. This is the primary recurring revenue stream supporting the organization's operations and programs.
2. Cattle Registration and Transfer Fees: Fees vary by animal type and age: Bulls 1-14 months $20, 15-36 months $30, 37+ months $105; Cows 1-14 months $20; Steer registration $20; Mini reclassification $15; Transfers $20 within 60 days, $30 thereafter; Crossbreed $7.50; F1 $15; Rush fee $10/animal.
3. Trails Magazine Advertising and Subscriptions: Leading Texas Longhorn industry publication distributed monthly to all members as part of membership, with additional advertising opportunities sold to members and external businesses. The magazine provides business and health information to promote industry growth.
4. Event Fees and Sponsorships: Revenue from event participation fees, vendor booth rentals ($125 for 10'x10' space), and sponsorship packages for flagship events including TLBAA World Expo, Horn Showcase, and Texas Longhorn Weekend.
5. Marketing Services and Advertising: Email marketing (E-blasts) at $70 (basic) or $95 (deluxe) per blast to a list averaging 1650+ subscribers; website button ads at $1500/year or $900 for 6 months; online breeders directory listing at $240/year.
6. Registered Texas Longhorn Beef Producer Program: Annual fee of $75 for producers to be listed as a Registered Texas Longhorn Beef Producer, receiving 150 color brochures and increased exposure through TLBAA marketing efforts. Contact: Beef Committee Chair Phil Norwood.
7. DNA and Laboratory Services: DNA testing services processed through Neogen GeneSeek Operations, with administrative fees, hair card processing fees, semen straw processing, and DNA test certificates billed per order. Services include SNP, STR, GGP100K, Igenity Beef Report, coat color tests, and BVD testing.
8. Show and Judge Application Fees: Revenue from TLBAA World Qualifying Show applications and Judge applications for the World Show circuit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

TLBAA is a nonprofit breed registry that maintains official pedigree records and offers registration, transfer, and DNA testing services for Texas Longhorn cattle through its HORNS online herd management platform. The organization provides membership services, publishes the Texas Longhorn Trails magazine, operates three annual flagship events, runs the TLBT youth program, and offers marketing and advertising services to its members across the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Product overview

The Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America (TLBAA) is a nonprofit breed registry and membership organization offering a suite of interconnected products and services. Its core offering is the HORNS herd management system, an online platform for member registration and transfer of cattle, herd tracking, and show points. TLBAA publishes Texas Longhorn Trails Magazine, a monthly print and digital industry journal distributed via Issuu. The association operates three major annual events: Texas Longhorn Weekend (January, Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo), the TLBAA World Expo (July), and the TLBAA Horn Showcase (October). Supporting services include DNA testing (through Neogen GeneSeek), marketing services (email blasts, web directory), creative design services, and the Registered Texas Longhorn Beef Program. TLBAA also oversees the Texas Longhorn Breeders of Tomorrow (TLBT) youth program, which features its own national show, scholarship, and senior heifer sale.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 450,000 Texas Longhorn cattle registered since 1964, demonstrating the scale and reach of the registry.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alberta Texas Longhorn AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate association serving Alberta, Canada. Led by Cody Bailey, Wetaskiwin, AB. Works with TLBAA to preserve, protect, and promote the Texas Longhorn breed in the Alberta region.
• Canadian Texas Longhorn AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate association in Saskatchewan, Canada. Led by Pete and Leann Hildebrand. Serves as Texas Longhorn ambassador in Canada.
• Australia Texas Longhorn AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate association serving Australia. Led by Wayne Jones (President) and Megan Lamb (Secretary). Works to promote Texas Longhorn breed and TLBAA membership in Australia.
• California Association of Texas Longhorn BreederscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate association in California. Led by J.A. Thomas. Supports TLBAA shows, sales, and membership in the California region.
• Great Plains Texas Longhorn AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate association serving South Dakota and surrounding Great Plains region. Located in Wessington Springs, SD. Organizes GPTLA World Qualifying Shows.
• Mountains & Plains Texas Longhorn AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate association serving Colorado and surrounding Mountain states. Led by Jeff Widdons. Promotes breed and TLBAA programs in the Mountain & Plains region.
• Northwest Longhorn AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate association serving Washington and the Pacific Northwest region. Led by Cindy Mello.
• Oklahoma Texas Longhorn AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate association serving Oklahoma. Led by Walker Hance. Supports TLBAA events including the Horn Showcase held at Canadian County Expo Center, El Reno, OK.
• Fort Worth Stock Show & RodeocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe historic Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo hosts TLBAA's Texas Longhorn Weekend every January. TLBAA's event is part of the Stock Show, benefiting from exposure to thousands of visitors. The Eddie Wood Cowtown Classic Sale is held as part of this event.
• Neogen GeneSeek OperationscoreTechnology or IntegrationLaboratory partner for TLBAA's DNA testing services. Located in Lincoln, NE at 4131 North 48th Street. Processes SNP, GGP100K, Igenity Beef Report, coat color tests, and BVD tests. TLBAA acts as intermediary, mailing work orders and samples to Neogen, which invoices TLBAA who then invoices members.
• Taylor County Expo Center (Abilene, TX)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue host for TLBAA World Expo held July 15-18, 2026. Located at 1700 TX-36, Abilene, TX 79602. Also provides RV reservations through openstalls.com at $40/night.
• Fairfield Inn & Suites (Abilene, TX)minorOthersPreferred hotel for TLBAA World Expo attendees. Located at 3902 Turner Plaza Dr., Abilene, TX 79606. Group rate: $184 plus taxes per night.
• Hampton Inn by Hilton (Abilene, TX)minorOthersPreferred hotel for TLBAA World Expo attendees. Located at 3917 Ridgemont Drive, Abilene, TX. Group rate: $189 plus tax per night.
• Home2 Suites by Hilton (Abilene, TX)minorOthersPreferred hotel for TLBAA World Expo attendees. Located at 2109 Scottish Rd., Abilene, TX 79601. Group rate: $249 plus tax per night.
• TLBA Foundation (TLBF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Texas Longhorn Breeders of America Foundation supports TLBAA. Once the TLBAF Museum building is complete, Hall of Fame inductees will be showcased there. The Foundation also manages the TLBT Bright Futures Scholarship Fund.
• Deb Lesyk (Chairman of Affiliate Presidents)coreOthersChairman of Affiliate Presidents representing all 21 affiliate associations. Located in Outlook, SK, Canada. Serves as liaison between TLBAA and its affiliate network.
• Phil Norwood (Beef Committee Chair)coreOthersChair of the Beef Committee for TLBAA, overseeing the Registered Texas Longhorn Beef Producers program. Contact for questions about the beef producer program.
• North Texas Longhorn Breeders AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate association serving North Texas. Led by Kevin Rooker. Promotes TLBAA membership and breed awareness in the North Texas region.
• Texas Longhorn Breeders Gulf Coast AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate association serving the Texas Gulf Coast region. Led by Stephen Head.
• South Texas Longhorn AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate association serving South Texas. Led by Joey Gornick.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• National Western Stock Show: Major US livestock show and industry event held annually in Denver, hosting cattle breed shows and sales. Comparable as a major industry event where TLBAA members exhibit and transact, though it operates as a venue/event rather than a breed registry.
• Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo: Host venue and strategic partner for TLBAA's Texas Longhorn Weekend each January. Not a direct competitor but a closely intertwined industry participant whose event calendar, attendance, and livestock programming materially affect TLBAA's member engagement and cattle-sale revenue.

Broad incumbents

• North American Limousin Foundation: Beef cattle breed registry providing registration, performance data, and member programs. Comparable mid-size breed-association peer with similar product mix (registration, transfers, DNA, magazine, shows).
• American Angus Association: Major US beef cattle breed registry with membership, registration, performance data, and genomic evaluation programs (powered by Zoetis HD 50K). Directly analogous business model to TLBAA within the cattle industry, though far larger and serving the dominant commercial beef breed.
• American Simmental Association: Beef cattle breed registry with registration, genomic tools, and member programs. Comparable as a cattle breed association peer in registration, herd management, and member-service revenue model.
• American Brahman Breeders Association: Beef cattle breed registry serving a niche breed with a structure similar to TLBAA: breed-specific membership, registration, and promotion. Relevant peer for understanding how smaller specialty breed associations operate and monetize member services.
• American Quarter Horse Association: Largest US breed registry organization, operating the same membership-driven, breed-association model (annual dues, registration fees, magazine, youth program, shows) at significantly larger scale. Comparable as a structural peer for nonprofit breed-association economics, events, and youth programming, even though the species (horses vs. cattle) differs.
• Red Angus Association of America: US beef cattle breed registry providing registration, performance programs (RAAA EPDs), and member services. Closely comparable in mission and product set to TLBAA within the registered beef cattle segment.
• American Hereford Association: Beef cattle breed registry offering membership, animal registration, genetic evaluation, and youth programs. Comparable as a cattle-specific breed association peer with overlapping product offerings (registration, DNA, magazine, shows) for a beef cattle audience.

Direct peers

• International Texas Longhorn Association: The other major Texas Longhorn breed registry, competing directly with TLBAA for registrations, transfers, and breeder memberships in the same niche. Most directly comparable peer because both organizations serve the same breed, customer base, and product category (cattle registration and member services).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America