Highland Cattle


Highland Cattle by the Sea William Smellie Watson (Scottish, 1796-1874)		Highland cattle are capable of surviving the harshest environmental conditions in some of the roughest hill country of northern Scotland. They were originally kept by small farmers and used to raise a calf and produce milk for the farm family. In Great Britain the Highland Cattle Society was formed over one hundred years ago to preserve this ancient breed. The Royal family are members, patrons of the society, and keep very good Highlands at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Recently, Highlands have gained in popularity because their meet is very lean and low in cholesterol. This appeals to the new American taste for healthy, naturally grown beef. Highland Cattle are more docile than most other breeds of cattle. They respond to human contact and on the whole are gentle. However, care should be taken when approaching cows with calves. Bulls are good natured, but should be respected. Anyone who does not wish to own a bull could utilize artificial insemination (AI) or rent a bull to get their cows in calf.

Highland cattle live longer and produce more calves than other breeds. Highlands will breed up to twenty years of age. The calves are weaned from their mothers between six and eight months old, allowing the cow to get back into condition for her next calf. The gestation period is nine months and cows may be expected to have a calf each year.


Mature Weight Much like the Highland cattle in ancient Scotland, Canadian Highlands are raised in vastly different environmental conditions. The wide range seen in the size of cattle within the breed is due mainly to this effect. The following average weights are for cattle that have not had their growth effected by sever climate or restricted diet: Mature bulls weigh 1,800 pounds in breeding condition. mature cows weigh 1,100 pounds in breeding condition. Steers will finish at about 1,000 pounds. This weight can be attained with heavy feeding as long yearling but most breeder prefer to grow their steers on pasture and finish them at two years. Breed Standards The head: As a rule, it is most proportionate to the body of the animal, and is broad between the eyes, while short from the eyes to the point of the muzzle. The forelock between the eyes should be wide, long and busy, while the muzzle should be short, though very broad in front, and with the nostrils fully distended. In the bulls, the horns should be strong, and come level out of the head, slightly inclining forward, and also slightly raising toward the points, although some breeders have a preference for a downward curve. The horns of the cows can follow two directions; some come out squarer from the head than the male, rise sooner, and are somewhat longer; others come more level from the head, with a back set curve, and a very wide sweep. The Neck and Shoulder: The neck should be altogether clear and without dewlap below. It should form a straight line from the head to the shoulder in the cow, but in the mature bulls should have that distinct crest common to all animals of the bovine species giving a decidedly masculine appearance. The shoulder should be thick and should fill out greatly as it descends from the point to the lower extremity of the foreleg.
		Among the Gorse and Heather Harry Payne (Scottish, 1906)

The Back, Body and Hindquarters: From behind the shoulder, the back should be fully developed and well rounded. Any slight sinking or hollow is decidedly objectionable. It should also be straight as possible and the ribs should spring boldly out and be both well rounded and deep. When measured across the hips the breadth should be very great, and the quarters should be exceedingly well developed from the hips backwards. The thighs should also be well developed and should show great fullness. Viewed generally, the quarters should be square between the hips and the tail, and from between the tail right down to between the hind feet. The legs, both before and behind, should be of moderate length and strong, the bones strong, broad and straight, the hoofs well set in and lacking faults, the legs well feathered with hair. The animal should be set wide between the forelegs and it should move with great dignity and style. The cows should have well attached udders with a strong center line and four teats of moderate length for easy milking by the calf. The scrotum on the bull should be well developed and pendulant with two testes of equal size and shape. Testicle size in a yearling bull has a high correlation with his fertility and the rate of maturity of his daughters. The Hair: The hair, of which there should be a great profusion, should be long and gracefully waved. It is not uncommon for Highlands to shed this hair coat when exposed to hot dry climate and then grow a new one as the damp cold weather returns. Highlands have a double coat of hair-a downy undercoat and a long outer coat which may reach 13 inches, and which is well-oiled to shed rain and snow. With the double coat of hair and thick hide, the Highland has been adapted by nature to with stand great exposure. The predominant color is red but brindle, yellow, white, dun and black are also acceptable. There has been no proven correlation between hair color and performance. Most of the larger herds have animals of differing colors but a few breeders have chosen to breed for a specific shade. Nature: The Highland is unusually healthy and hearty and will survive on roughage and poor grazing including brush, if necessary, under climatic conditions where most of our popular breeds would suffer. Highlands are noted for their browsing ability and therefore are well suited to farmsteads where there is an excess of poor pasture and rough land. The highland's proven ability to produce top quality meat without the addition of expensive high quality feeds makes this breed the perfect choice for those people who wish to produce beef with natural inputs.

Perhaps questions most asked of a new breeder are: "What do I need to look for and what do I need to have when I buy Highlands?". This page was created for those of you who find yourself asking these questions. Hopefully, after you've finished reading you will feel more comfortable about your next Highland purchase.

Always ask to see registration papers. If the animal you are purchasing is not registered yet (maybe it is to young) ask to see it's parents' papers. Look at the animals parents, they are you best gauge as to what your animal will look like once full grown. If the parents are not available ask for photos.
Check to see if the animal has been properly tattooed. Since our animals are not branded this is a very important part of the ownership process.
All females must be Brucellosis vaccinated prior to their first birthday. They should have the bangs tag in their ear to prove this shot was administered. The exception to this rule is those animals who can be given the "live" bangs vaccination. (Contact your vet for more information.)
If the seller claims, that the animal you intend to purchase is halter broke, ask him to put a halter on the animal. Many breeders have had a bad taste in their mouths due to a seller claiming an animal was "docile and halter broke" only to discover after the sale that the animal is anything but. This will also give you a good peek at what the animals disposition is like.
If you will be transporting your new purchase over state lines make sure you have checked with the proper authorities and have obtained the proper paperwork to transport your Highland.
In order for you to haul your new baby home you must make sure you have a current brand inspection certificate.
A bill of sale is required to prove you are the new owner of your new beauty.
It is always a bonus to obtain a copy of the extended pedigree on your new Highland. Some breeders might not be able to provide you with this information and it is not necessary material.
If you don't know the sellers very well don't hesitate to contact other breeders in the area to check his "references" or ask him for a list of breeders who would act as references for him. It never hurts to make a few phone calls prior to a sale.
Conformation of an animal is so very hard to check for if you are a new breeder. If you feel uneasy in this area I have copied a list of characteristics which the Bagpipe (Our National magazine) considers desirable in Highlands. However, if you feel more comfortable with a second opinion feel free to call up a fellow breeder and see what they think. You will be amazed how eager members of the Northwest are to help out a new breeders.

Something else to keep in mind-When you purchase a registered Highland animal, the seller should pay for the transfer and the registration costs if your animal is not registered yet.

Good Luck! I hope your next purchase is a rewarding experience!!!!


Tests Confirm that Highland Beef is 40% Lower in Fat.
Highland beef is lower in cholesterol and fat.		Having meat analyzed by a commercial testing lab gave us a better idea of the fat and cholesterol levels in Highland meat. Comparisons were sought in grass-fed vs. grain-fed, store-bought vs. Highland and purebred vs. crossbred Highland. These tests were done by Commercial Testing Laboratory, Inc., Colfax, Wisconsin, who has been in operation since 1952. The first sample was submitted by Legacy Fruit Farms of Arkansas, Wisconsin. It was a grass-fed highland sirloin steak. The cholesterol count, which is measured in mg/100g, was 23.4. This compares to 77.0 in lean red meat, 72.00 in chicken, 70.0 in venison, 50.0 in codfish and 40.0 in buffalo (numbers adapted from the National Cholesterol Education Program Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults). The fat percentage on the same meat sample was very low at 4.5%..

The next test was done on February 3, 1994 and compared grass-fed Highland ground beef to locally purchased extra lean ground beef. The highland had 12.2% fat compared to 20.5% in the purchased beef. The cholesterol count had similar results with the Highland having 30.8 mg/100g. compared to 34.00 for the extra lean meat. The last test performed was on T-bone steaks which tend to be higher in fat normally. This comparison was done by Acorn Ridge Farms of Warsaw, Indiana September 1994. Highland and Highland/Shorthorn cross samples were submitted the steers weighed 1100 and 1125 pounds each and were fed 25 pounds of haylage and between 10-12 pounds of corn per day. The Highland T-bone tested at 22.2% fat and the Highland/Shorthorn 19.3%. The cholesterol count was just the opposite with the Highland at 64.4mg./100g. and the Highland /Shorthorn at 71.0 mg./100 g.. Both are still very comparable to venison at 70.0 and lean read meat at 77.0. We plan to submit more samples for testing to determine consistency.


What colors do Highland cattle come in? Are Highlands purebred or are they a cross breed? Where do Highlands originate? Are Highlands mean? Why would someone what to raise them? Are all Highlands bulls?

What colors do Highland cattle come in? There are many variations in color of the Highlands. The colors noted below are the ones recognized by the American Highland Cattle Association (AHCA): Red Dun (grayish or mouse colored) Brindle (mixed red and black) Silver (white hair with black skin beneath) White (white hair with pinkish skin beneath) Black Yellow A good friend of mine always said if you choose your cattle by the color you might as well stay in the truck.

Are Highlands purebred or are they a cross breed? Highlands are the oldest registered breed of cattle with the first herd book being established in 1884. Their adaptability to severe changes in weather insured their longevity.

Where do Highlands originate? As the name indicates, Scottish Highland Cattle have lived for centuries in the rugged remote Scottish highlands. The extremely harsh conditions created a process of natural selection, where only the fittest and most adaptable animals survived to carry on the breed. Originally, there were two distinct classes: the slightly smaller and usually black Kyole, whose primary domain was the islands off the west coast of northern Scotland and the larger animal, generally reddish in color, whose territory was the remote highlands of Scotland. Today, both of these strains are regarded as one breed - the Scottish Highland.

Are Highlands Mean? Despite long hair and unusual appearance, the Highland is considered an even-tempered animal - bulls as well as cows. They can also be halter trained as easily as any other breed, even more so be cause of the Highlands superior intelligence. As with any other animal there are good and bad temperaments. I've come to the conclusion, that it has a lot to do with the way they are raised and handled. A bad tempered animal will not be allowed to stay on our ranch. Highlands definitely have a "pecking" order. You, as the rancher, must be on top of that order at all times. They will respect you for that, you most assuredly will want that respect.

Why would someone what to raise them? Sometimes when a momma is over protective with her calf I ask myself this same question. Highlands are exceptionally beautiful. A herd in green pastures stops traffic. Compared to other cattle there are several reasons. Highlands are a cut above the rest. They require little in the way of shelter, feed supplements, or expensive grains to achieve and maintain good condition and fitness. In fact, Highland cattle seem to enjoy conditions in which many other breeds would perish. Cold weather and snow have little effect on them. Less than ideal pasture or range land is another reason to consider the Highland breed. It has been said that the Highland will eat what other cattle pass by, and get fat on it! The Highland is also an excellent browser, able to clear a lot of brush with speed and efficiency. The Highland is a disease resistant breed, and they do not stress easily. Other bovine diseases affect the Highland less also, due to the genetic advantages they have achieved.

Are all Highlands bulls? All Highlands have horns - both the bulls and the cows. You can usually tell how old a growing calf is by the length of their horns. A bull's horns normally grow outward and curve down and around while a cow's horns grow outward then curve up or back. Below is a picture of a bull on the left and a cow on the right. Do you notice the difference in the horns?


	"Ancient cattle for a progressive world"