The goals of our breeding program are to raise strong healthy animals that require little to no assistance from us and that maintain the breed characteristics.  We look for cows that have excellent natural abilities, and calve easily.   Highland Cattle are a beef breed and we raise them for their high quality beef.  We looked for docile easy to manage cattle which is one of their great characteristics.  The shaggy hair that falls down into their eyes and faces is the most notable distinguishing characteristic of the gentle and almost “woolly”, Highland Breed of Cattle. 

These long-horned, stocky animals originated and were bred for centuries in the rugged, rocky climate of the Scottish Highlands.  Harsh and severe weather conditions brought about the process of Mother Nature’s ‘natural selection’, allowing for only the most adaptable, strong, and genetically superior animals to survive and carry on this sturdy breed.

In the beginning there were two classes of Highland Cattle bred for centuries in the North British Isles. The first, called the Kyloe or West-Highlander, inhabited the Atlantic wind-lashed islands off the West Coast of Northern Scotland and the second variety, called the The Highlander.  This variety was usually red or brown in colour. The resultant breed at present day, is a melding of the two originals, and now the breed is one, known simply as the “Highland”. All colours, including whites, brindles, yellows, and silvers are acceptable in the breed, along with the traditional black and brown.

The Highland Cattle Society of Scotland was formed in 1884, Highland Cattle arrived in Canada in the 1880’s first in Manitoba, and then to the Maritimes, where they adapted with ease and thrived. Highland Cattle have become well-known for their many positive attributes throughout North America’s cattle industry.

Some of the special qualities these truly majestic animals possess include the ease with which they are kept.  Highland Cattle are widely considered to be the hardiest breed of cattle to be found anywhere in the world.  Cold climates have little effect on them, and they are found raised as far North as Alaska and the Yukon, as well as in wintry Scandanavia.   As well, warm climates are conducive to their propagation as registered breeding ranches are found today even in Texas, and Georgia in the Southern United States.

Despite their long horns and shaggy, “wild” looking appearance, both bulls and cows are notably mild-tempered.  The cows possess excellent mothering abilities and instincts, as well as a very low calf mortality and ease and independence of birthing, making them an excellent choice of breed for maintenance and range purposes.

Highland Cattle require little in the way of shelter, feed supplements, or extensive graining to maintain good condition. Highlands are excellent foragers and browsers, independently making the most of the scrubbiest, brush-filled land as is found in their centuries-old, native habitat. Mature bulls at breeding condition, weigh in at about 800 kgs (1800 lbs), cows at 500 kgs (1100 lbs.), and steers finish out at 450 kgs (1000 lbs). In fact, to maintain leanness, steers are grown and finished on pasture over 2 years, rather than by the popular heavy feed-lot graining method over a period of only a few months.

The present day beef market demands leaner meats, and Highlands are and have always been, superior in this department as well. Mainly due to their insulating long body hair, rather than being insulated by a layer of fat on their bodies, Highland cattle produce leaner meat. Highland beef is well-marbled and flavourful, with little waste fat at all resulting in a superior beef product, with less overall cost involved in feed and forage, and less overall care and herd maintenance needed.

The Canadian Highland Cattle Association uses the services of the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation for verification purposes and the recording of all known pedigrees of Registered Highland Cattle in Canada, to maintain the purity of this ancient breed, for the next centuries to come. Fanciers of this breed can be found on the World Wide Web in abundance, a testament to the popularity of this breed.

The ability of these cattle to thrive in almost any climate or conditions for forage, their mild temperaments, excellent reproductive characteristics, and independent survival instincts, make the Highland  an excellent choice of breed to the cattle rancher.  Whether interests lie in retaining the purity of the breed standard, or for cross-breeding purposes, to increase climatic adaptability as well as many other desired characteristics,  Highlands are certainly a superior and time-tested breed.

Highland Cattle are truly a “breed apart”, not just because of their unique appearance, and their hardiness and adaptability to our own harsh Canadian climate, has certainly earned them this prestigious title.

Reference:  Homestead.org

A Breed Apart by Victoria Varga