Why Highland Cattle?

 

For centuries the Highland breed lived in the rugged remote Scottish Highlands. The harsh conditions created a process of natural selection, where only the fittest animals survived.

Originally there were two classes: the smaller, black Kyloes, who inhabitated the islands off the West Coast of Scotland and the larger red animals, which lived in the Scottish Highlands.
In addition yellow, dun and white are also considered traditional colours.

Highland Cattle require little in the way of shelter or feed supplements to maintain good condition.
They are excellent browsers, able to clear rough undergrowth efficiently.
They adapt well to different climatic conditions, be it summer heat or snow and ice.

Despite the long horns the Highland is considered to be an even tempered animal.Due to their intelligence they respond well to human contact and can easily be halter broken.

The Highland is a disease resistant breed. 
Long lashes and dossan shield their eyes from flying insects, so pink eye and cancer eye are less common.
Due to their genetic purity they are also more resistant to other bovine diseases.

Their meat is lean and lower in cholesterol, when compared with other beef breeds (the Highland is insulated by long hair, rather than a thick layer of fat.
For many years Highland and Highland crosses have achieved higher scores in beef carcass competitions around the world.
In the British Isles, Highland beef is recognized as the finest available and fetches premium prices and this reputation is spreading more and more as beef producers utilize the advantages of this age old breed.

Highland bulls are used as terminal sires over dairy and first time beef heifers as the cross-bred calves thrive from the hybrid vigour produced. Calves from Highland bulls are generally of smaller birth weight, which accounts for easy calving, which is then counter balanced by quick growth and finishing off.

Whether your interest is in pure bred animals or cross breeding, whether you run a large commercial operation or own a small lifestyle block, or if you only want a Highland as a pet to graze your front paddock - we are confident, that the Highland will meet your different needs.