Highland females conceive quickly, calve easily and breed back readily on native forage. They can also be halter trained as easily as any other breed, even more so because of the Highland's superior intelligence. Male horns are more forward pointing and massive. Horns on females are generally upswept and finer textured than are the males. The horns are used primarily for knocking down brush to graze on, predator control and scratching. Highlands tend to be docile and calm, do not stress easily, and are easy to work with despite their long horns. Early Scots would keep the cows downstairs to provide warmth for the family on the second story and to make sure the neighbors didn't help themselves to the family's wealth. Highlands have a long, close history of living with humans. Highlands shed out earlier in the spring and produce less hair in warm climates making them suitable throughout the U.S. This allows the animal to marble naturally on low input forage while producing lean, low fat, high quality cuts of beef. In addition, the long hair means that the animal does not have to produce a layer of fat to stay warm. The older the Highland, the more they will shed out during the hot weather.Īccording to one breeder, Highlands feed intake does not increase until -18 degrees Fahrenheit compared to 32 degrees Fahrenheit in many other breeds. In the southern hotter climates, the Highlands shed out and have a very short hair coat during the summer months, similar to other cattle breeds. It is not unusual to see Highlands grazing a day or two after a winter storm with snow still melting off their backs as they are that well insulated. The coat reduces the need for expensive barns and shelters. The double coat of hair (long coarse, outer layer and soft wooly inner layer) is one of the most notable differences between Highlands and all other breeds.
#Scottish highland cattle how to
READ MORE: How to spot 5 common cattle diseases.Also, other bovine diseases affect the Highland less, due to the genetic advantages they have achieved. Highlands do not stress easily, so stress-related diseases occur with less frequency. Highlands have long eyelashes and forelocks, which help shield their eyes from flying insects, and as a result, pinkeye and cancer eye may be less common. They will eat the new oak leaves in the spring as they enjoy the fresh grass also. The mature animals will rub their horns and bodies on the cedar trees and eat as far up as they can reach, making a browse line on the trees. Highlands will eat the new growth off multi-floral rose bushes, cedar saplings and even pine needles. The Highland is an excellent browser, able to clear a brush lot with speed and efficiency. It has been said that the Highland will eat what other cattle pass by. Less than ideal pasture or rangeland is another reason to consider the Highland breed. There are many folds of Highlands in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma. They also adapt well to the more southerly climates with successful folds as far south as Texas, Louisiana and Georgia. They have been raised as far north as Alaska and the Scandinavian countries. Cold weather and snow have little effect on them. In fact, Highland cattle seem to enjoy conditions in which many other breeds would perish. Highlands require little in the way of shelter, feed supplements, or expensive grains to achieve and maintain good condition and fitness.
The American Highland Cattle Association registry was first formed in 1948. The first recorded importation into the United States occurred in the late 1890s.
The Highland breed contributed in a great way to the success of the American cattle industry. recognized the natural qualities of the Highland animal and imported them to improve the bloodlines of their herd. Today Highland cattle may be red, black, yellow, white, brindle, silver, or dun color.Īmerican cattlemen from the western U.S. The smaller, mostly black or brindled cattle were raised on the western island and were known as Kyloes, and the larger red animals were on the Scottish mainland. Originally there were two subgroups of Highland cattle, which today are merged into one. The Scottish Highland Cattle Society was formed in 1884 and most of the cattle registered were black. Highland cattle are the oldest registered breed of cattle with a Herd Book being published in 1885. The extremely harsh conditions created a process of natural selection, where only the fittest and most adaptable animals survived to carry on the breed. The Highland breed of cattle has lived for centuries in the rugged remote Scottish Highlands. They are very docile, easy to handle and halter train, easy keepers and the meat is lower in cholesterol and fat, but higher in protein to all other breeds of cattle.
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