What is a Scottish Highland?

Highlands are medium-sized shaggy
beasts, originating in the rugged
Highlands of Scotland.  They survived
and developed through a process of
natural selection, where only the
toughest of animals could thrive.  
Highlands are an extremely old breed,
with records dating back to the 1700's.  
These animals are tough as nails, and
laugh at Wisconsin winters.  Feed intake
does not increase until the temperature
approaches -20F, and their long hair
protects their eyes from frigid biting
winds, and flies and other bugs during
the summer months.

Highlands calve small, and usually
without assistance. They are very good
mothers, don't stress easily, and produce
into their late teens. They browse on a
variety of brush, weeds and trees, as well
as grasses and hay.

One unique attribute of a Highland, is
the double hair coat.  Such a coat easily
sheds the rain, and prevents the need for
a winter layer of back fat.  As a result,
they are genetically leaner than other
beef breeds.    
Scottish Highland
Our herd consists primarily
of Scottish Highlands, and
their crosses.  Through trial
and error, we have
discovered that a highland
crossed with a larger beef
breed exemplifies the
positive characteristics of
both.  This results in
hardier animals that eat less
and grow more.  Note the
photo to the right.  April is a
10 year old purebred
highland cow.  She stands
next to her 3 year old son,
Spot.  Spot's father was a
mixed breed beef bull.
Herd Gallery
This is Bull-Regard, the
younger of our 2 purebred
bulls. Sometime before we
obtained him, he apparently
lost the tip off one horn. The
photo doesn't do him justice.
He is actually a beautifully
marked red-brindle.