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Our Herd
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Scottish Highland Cattle
About Scottish Highland Cattle
The Scottish Highland breed of cattle is an ancient breed, dating back to the early 1700’s, one of the oldest
registered breeds. These animals originally roamed the rugged highlands of Scotland. The extremely harsh conditions
created a process of natural selection, where only the fittest and most adaptable survived to carry on the breed.
Because of this Highland cattle will eat brush and plants that other cattle may avoid.
Originally there were two distinct classes: the smaller black breed whose primary domain was the islands off the
west coast of the northern Scotland. The second, a larger generally reddish breed, originated from the main land
mountains of Scotland. Domestication and cross breeding between the two produced the animals we know today as
Highland cattle. In addition to the colors red and black, Highland cattle can be dun (grayish), blonde or white.
Highland cattle are well known for their long fur coats and large horns. Both the bulls and cows will produce horns.
The male horns normally grow outward and curve slightly down from their head. The female horns normally grow outward
and curve up from their head.
We chose the Highland breed due to a number of traits including the following: Very hearty animals,
ease of calving, respond well to human contact making great 4H or FFA projects, do not require special shelter other
than a good stand of trees, do not require high quality feed or grain, will eat brush other beef animals won’t touch,
produce very high quality beef, less susceptible to disease.
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More photos coming soon!
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