hi all. im new to this group but it lools like a good group for info, and advice, nice to meet you all, i rasie mules here in wv, but thinking about getting a few highland cows, any one raise them here? most ppl here {wv} think the only cow is a blk,}i dont want to nor can i compeat with the big angus cattle farms. i just want 5 or 6, med size bovine, im finding it hard to find the highlands, there are a few reg show breeds here, i dont really need reg stock, any one had experince with the highlands ? thanks. Rose
thinking of becomming a "cow gal"
- Thread starter brownmule
- Start date
Gale Seddon
Well-known member
Welcome, brown mule...we're in central Virginia.
I just saw an ad in one of this week's local newspapers: Sunnybrook Farm (Somerset, VA). Selling "Registered Scottish Highland Beef" ($4.25/lb). Tel: 703-672-0625. Maybe they sell live animals as well?
I just saw an ad in one of this week's local newspapers: Sunnybrook Farm (Somerset, VA). Selling "Registered Scottish Highland Beef" ($4.25/lb). Tel: 703-672-0625. Maybe they sell live animals as well?
aplusmnt
Well-known member
Brown Mule welcome to the board, good to see another Mule person on here. We do not raise them but we ride them, we have 5 currently (pic below of one). Below is a link to some breeders in your state of Highland cattle, maybe you can call some of them to get started. Hope it helps.
http://www.highlandcattleusa.org/member ... e&State=WV
http://www.highlandcattleusa.org/member ... e&State=WV
Susie David
Well-known member
Welcome...not into Highlands, and still mad at my neighbor for selling a nice Jack while I was on vacation. DMc
Victoria
Well-known member
Welcome to the boards. As a beginner Highlands are a good choice. Very low maintenance cattle. My grandfather started with Highland cattle and Welsh Ponies because he lived in the city and wanted animals that could pretty much take care of themselves. They got fed once or twice a week and calved by themselves. He had very few dead calves and never had a dead cow. We only have 2 Highlands left, more as sentimental value than anything else. They just don't sell too well here. There's still some Highland blood in our herd though and they make great cows.
Highlands are a smart cow, there's a lot of instinct left in them. I am sure there are people on here that know far more about the breed than I do. If you are looking for a hobby cow though they are great looking, make wonderful conversation pieces and are quite docile with their person. Don't let a stranger in the field during calving though. ;-)
Highlands are a smart cow, there's a lot of instinct left in them. I am sure there are people on here that know far more about the breed than I do. If you are looking for a hobby cow though they are great looking, make wonderful conversation pieces and are quite docile with their person. Don't let a stranger in the field during calving though. ;-)
Workinonit Farm
Well-known member
Welcome Brownmule. Lots of good info here, good folks too.
Katherine
Katherine
Welcome, I am farely new to the boards and cattle as well, You will find there is alot of good info here and very Good people. We are just getting started in Highlands and so far we are having good luck.They are very easy keepers. Be prepared to get some #### from your angus neighbors. If you contact http://www.highlandcattleusa.org they will send you an info packet including a breeders list. I think there are a few highland breeders on here maybe put highland in your subject to get them to read it.
Medic24
Well-known member
Welcome to the boards................
We do raise some highlanders as well, and I do like them very much..............easy keepers is a very good description of them.
Ours are cross bred to angus bulls, and we get small, but very good looking calves off of them.
They require less grain, (some folks say none) and do well in harsh climates, and marginal pastures, thus great here in the mountains.
The only problem I see with raising Highlands are a very poor market return via stock yard sales..........we do get some from there, and rarely pay more then $250.00 each for them , of any size or age.
An alternative way to market them, is for lawn ornaments for those that just want to try and raise a few, because in many locals, they are still thought of as being somewhat exotic.
Another approach to marketing them, the one we chose, is to sell them as freezer beef, PREMIUM beef at that! You can market directly or via CSA, keep in mind that this suits alot of folks as the cuts are smaller then the average sized butchered animal.
I have seen some better looking Highlanders sold at the exotic animal sale in Asheville on occasion, This is a place where they do sell higher.
Either way, I do wish you alot of luck! :cboy:
We do raise some highlanders as well, and I do like them very much..............easy keepers is a very good description of them.
Ours are cross bred to angus bulls, and we get small, but very good looking calves off of them.
They require less grain, (some folks say none) and do well in harsh climates, and marginal pastures, thus great here in the mountains.
The only problem I see with raising Highlands are a very poor market return via stock yard sales..........we do get some from there, and rarely pay more then $250.00 each for them , of any size or age.
An alternative way to market them, is for lawn ornaments for those that just want to try and raise a few, because in many locals, they are still thought of as being somewhat exotic.
Another approach to marketing them, the one we chose, is to sell them as freezer beef, PREMIUM beef at that! You can market directly or via CSA, keep in mind that this suits alot of folks as the cuts are smaller then the average sized butchered animal.
I have seen some better looking Highlanders sold at the exotic animal sale in Asheville on occasion, This is a place where they do sell higher.
Either way, I do wish you alot of luck! :cboy:
asplusmnt, do you have my mule? LOL i have a great gal maggie {perchon/mam.} that looks just like your mule. love those long ears! when i got in to the mules you should of hear those horsey ppl! i found my self defending my a** all the time! was the only one in county that had them for a while, now i know of 6 other ppl that have then now, LOL.we have a great lg st jack, ol general jackson,laid back, no worries, i pack him and ride, great for the kids to learn to ride,take too much energy to run off with ya LOL i tend to take the rd lesss travled so im used to the coments"what are you doing with those!" i guess its time to shake up the nieghbors with the highlands LOL.. glad to hear others have them here and to confirm from real people what i have been reading about them. i have have found 1 bull 2 yr old for 750.00, was hoping to do better than that, $250 would be a great price, wish i could luck on to some here for that! im about ready to send hubby your way medic24 with the stock trailor!LOL so they go higher at extoic auction? humm that was my next plan of action. i hear they have a sale in march in ohio, but i wondered about that, price and condition, age, been to a few horse auctions,wanted to take a few home to live out the last days..got to use my head not my heart, thats not easy some times.. thanks for all your imput and encouragment, yep i can see it.. hairy cows and long eared horses, LOL Rose
