PLR
Well-known member
Right now in the Northwest you cant find a registered highland heifer for sale for less that $1500 or a registered cow for less than $2500. Highlands handle the heat well, they just sleep in the shade during the hottest part of the day like the rest of my cows. The hides and skulls are worth a fair price. $500-1000 for a hide and $200-700 for a skull depending on size and quality. I have not yet had the pleasure to butcher a highland steer but hope to this fall, as I had to raise my own cause everyone has them sold as soon as they are born around here. Highlands Crosses make great cows to. I have a highland cross heifer, 7 months old, that is the same size as my 11 month old highland steer and much bigger than my 9 month old highland calf. Hybred vigor works wonders with highlands. One of the patrons of the British Highland Cattle society is Queen Elizabeth, and she actually owns a large herd of highlands. Highlands have good attitudes but can get playful sometimes, especially the calves. whenever you are around them, like any animal, watch the horns and feet. Highlands can and do kick for no apperant reason. They make great mothers but can be protective for the first few days so watch them, an otherwise calm cow can get nasty after she calves.
As far a miniture highlands go....just pick a smaller indiv idual. Mature Highland cows range in weight from 800-1600 pounds so pick your size. Many breeders consider highland feet put together horribly...but think about it .... Northern Scotland is Wet, Peat Bogs and heather... so it makes sense that highlands would have larger feet (like Moose or Camels) to stop them sinking as deep. They were often asked to swim long distances as well between islands... and its easier to swim with bigger feet. I have noticed that on dry rocky ground highland feet tend to be much nicer looking....so make sure somewhere they frequent is covered in sharp gravel to help wear down their feet.
Sorry about the lenght but Ive done alot of reading....
If anyone has questions let me know....
you can see pics of my cows on the website below
Shelby
http://www.promiselandranch.net/
As far a miniture highlands go....just pick a smaller indiv idual. Mature Highland cows range in weight from 800-1600 pounds so pick your size. Many breeders consider highland feet put together horribly...but think about it .... Northern Scotland is Wet, Peat Bogs and heather... so it makes sense that highlands would have larger feet (like Moose or Camels) to stop them sinking as deep. They were often asked to swim long distances as well between islands... and its easier to swim with bigger feet. I have noticed that on dry rocky ground highland feet tend to be much nicer looking....so make sure somewhere they frequent is covered in sharp gravel to help wear down their feet.
Sorry about the lenght but Ive done alot of reading....
If anyone has questions let me know....
you can see pics of my cows on the website below
Shelby
http://www.promiselandranch.net/
