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Highland Cattle
Originating in the highlands of Scotland, Highland cattle are recorded there as early as the ninth century. This extremely hardy breed evolved under harsh conditions — very short summers and sparse grasses growing with gorse and heather amid a cold, wet climate. Scottish people joke that they know it’s summer because the rain is three degrees warmer. At first, people classified these cattle by origin and color. The Kyloe was black and slightly smaller, and came from the islands off the west coast of northern Scotland. The cattle from the Highlands were larger for the most part, and primarily reddish in color. Now, both bypes are considered one breed. Besides red and black, Highland cattle may be yellow, white, and dun.
Care and Feeding
They are fed on natural grasses and hay. Their large horns, on both females and males, ensures that they will have plenty of personal space. Highland cows are good mothers. In the photo at left, a cow watches the photographer, on the alert for anything that might affect her calf. Note the heavy winter coats on both animals. The two layers of hair (an under down and a long overcoat) will keep them warm in Montana’s winters. No animal at Flathead Farms receives artificial growth hormones or stimulants, and all calves are vaccinated and wormed according to QHB standards when weaned. . |
Highland Cattle are easy keepers. Their ability to forage means they can thrive in poor grazing conditions. They also mature more slowly, which means that they can hold their condition for longer in poor conditions than many other breeds of cattle. They will survive where other breeds struggle. But at Flathead Farms, Highland cattle don’t need to”survive”.
The bull at right is feasting on a mix of vitamins, salt, and molasses — all to ensure healthy growth for cattle feeding on hay.