The horns of the Highland cows sweep out and up, while those of the bulls are horizontal with upturned tips. They have long, shaggy coats that most commonly light red, but many other solid colors are also seen, including black, brindle, cream, dun, red and white. Highlands are medium in size, with cows weighing 900 to 1,300 pounds and bulls 1,500 to 2,000 pounds. The breed is considered a “light grazer” in Europe, used to manage and diversify marginal lands without the negative impact seen with heavier breeds. Highlands consume a wide variety of pest plants as well as grass and can be used to improve pastures. One of the breed’s assets is its foraging ability. ![]() It is only recently, however, that Highlands are achieving their greatest popularity. The breed has always had a small but loyal following, especially in the northern part of the United States and in Canada. Highland cattle were first imported to North America in the 1880s, and importations have continued throughout the 1900s. The breed became well known in Scotland and England, and a herdbook was established in 1884. Sometimes called kyloe cattle, they were once tasked with swimming across the straits (or kyloes) on their way to market on the mainland. Cattle were raised in the Highlands and on the islands nearby. Improvement was made through selection alone the Highland never had any introductions from other breeds. The early history of the Highland is not well recorded, though the breed was improved and standardized during the 1800s. Like the other Scottish beef breeds, the Galloway, Belted Galloway, and Angus, the Highland is celebrated for the excellence of its beef. Highland cattle thrive on rough forage and in cold, wet climates. The breed was shaped primarily by natural selection and as a result, it’s best known for its survival qualities hardiness, maternal abilities, reproductive efficiency, and longevity. Both the pure Highlander and the first cross Highlander have the prime ability to convert poor hill grazing into quality beef carcasses.The Highland descends from the native cattle of Scotland and is named for the Highland region. The cross Highlander has the milk to rear the continental calf with the high beefing potential demanded by today's market. The cross Highland cow retains the inherent hardiness from the pure Highlander plus that vital ingredient - hybrid vigour. More recently, excellent results have been obtained using continental sires. These can be sired by many different breeds of bull with a Beef Shorthorn bull being a commonly-used sire. The unique attributes of the pure Highland cow make her the first choice for the breeding of commercial hill cows. Beef from Highland Cattle is healthy and nutritious with lower levels of fat and cholesterol, and a higher protein and iron content than other beef. ![]() Without needing any intensive farming, they produce an excellent modern beef carcass with lean, well-marbled flesh that ensures tenderness and succulence combined with a very distinctive flavour. Highland Cattle are naturally reared and thrive in the hills and uplands of Britain. They are remarkable for their longevity with many Highland cows breeding at over 18 years of age and having borne fifteen calves. ![]() The breed is exceptionally hardy with a natural and unique ability to convert poor grazing efficiently. They can also be finished in a more conventional manner in well-ventilated barns. Making the most of poor forage, calving outside and seldom housed, they make a real economic contribution to hill and upland areas. In the British Isles, you can find folds flourishing on many different types of ground, from the slopes of the Sussex Downs in the south across to the East Anglia fenlands and north to the windswept machars of the Outer Hebrides.īut it is on poor mountain land with high annual rainfall and bitter winds that Highland Cattle thrive and breed – an environment where no other cattle could exist. You can request copies from our office, and they will enable you to trace animals back to their origins through each year’s Herd Book. ![]() The Highland Cattle Society continues to publish hard copies of the Herd Book which gives you a permanent record of pedigrees and a fascinating insight into our historic breed.
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