Texas has a rich agricultural history that includes cattle, sheep and many farm crops, such as wheat and cotton. In more recent years, more exotic animals, such as llamas and emus, have been raised in the state and wildlife ranches have become popular. San Antonio offers many opportunities for tourists, including an international agribusiness show, a rodeo and working ranches.
The International Farm and Ranch Show began in 2009 in San Antonio to help educate people about the history and current state of agribusiness in Texas. Held each October, the free event is held at Freeman Coliseum and features vendors and exhibitors. In its inaugural year, attendees represented more than 1.4 million acres of agricultural property, including 119,000 crop acres, and more than 1.3 million livestock acres, according to AgriLife News. Attendees were from across the United States as well as Mexico, Europe and Canada.
San Antonio is home to one of the first agricultural fairs held in the Lone Star State. The event began in 1854, and in 2009 it drew more than 1.3 million attendees and nearly 17,000 four-legged animals, according to the stock show and rodeo. The livestock show includes hogs, lambs, goats and steer. Held at the AT&T Center, the rodeo has been inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs and has been considered one of the top 10 rodeos in the United States.
Diamond W. Longhorn Ranch is located near Helotes, on the Medina River. Activities at the ranch include cowboy roping and a chuck wagon supper. There also are fast-draw and gun-handling demonstrations as well as water activities. The ranch is open to the public in the evenings, and reservations are required. Another option is the Rio Cibolo Ranch, a longhorn ranch and pecan orchard 25 miles northeast of San Antonio. The ranch offers a variety of activities--river barge rides, Old West casino games, hayrides and a cooking school, where participants learn about traditional ranch cooking. Visitors also can feed the longhorns.
The Lazy F Ranch is a sixth-generation cattle ranch that can accommodate 30 people. It has a bunkroom and a bunkhouse. Ranch guests may work with the cowboys or ride horses. There also is a swimming pool, fishing spots and places to hike and explore.
Texas also is known for its exotic livestock ranches. Although many are for hunting, the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch offers tourists the opportunity to see more than 50 species of animals on a historic Texas ranch site.
