FAQ

Why Highland cows?

The breed’s history is interesting with original recordings about two different types of Highland cattle, which after decades of crossbreeding, has left only one official Highland cattle type. Records also show that Highland is actually the oldest registered breed in the world. They have great longevity and they’re known to live for about 20+ years.

Interestingly, a group of Highland cattle is not called a herd, but a ‘fold’ instead. Their coat is often the most discussed attribute of these cattle which can vary between red, black, brindle, yellow, dun, silver dun and white.

Do you breed Miniature Highlands?

Our Highlands are standard size and they are not bred to be miniature. There are many other important traits that we breed for including structural soundness and temperament. They are definitely a lot shorter than standard beef cattle breeds.

Scottish Highlands are a heritage breed. Our cows have traditional Scottish Highland bloodlines and as a medium size breed of cattle, they are ideal for acreages and hobby farms.

Registered versus unregistered Highlands?

Our Highlands are unregistered animals because we have no intention of showing them or entering them in competitions. We do know our bloodlines, but we have chosen to breed our calves as pets or as breeders for hobby farmers like us. We also like our animals to remain affordable for people to own and enjoy like we do. We are quite a different operation, as our bulls are in with our cows all year round, and our Highland fold operates as a big family, which is very rewarding. (Registered animals have a much higher price tag both here in WA and in the Eastern States).

Are Highlands friendly?

Yes they are. Dependent on their handling early on in life, some are friendlier than others.  They all have their distinct personalities and a place in the hierarchy of the fold. Our goal is to breed quiet, calm, friendly, confident cattle. All of our calves become familiar with people, enjoy being fed hay, and will respond to hand feeding and brushing with patience and time.

What do I need to keep Highlands?

Food and Water
Cows need unlimited access to clean fresh water, either from a trough, dam or creek. Grass is the best feed, but may not be enough outside the growing season – if there isn’t enough grass, you will need to feed hay (like meadow or oaten) or silage.

In summer, many like to stand in dams or water to cool off. It’s preferable to have an easy to access dam for this purpose.

Fencing

Ensure adequate fencing height and strength. All cattle want to rub to scratch themselves and if there are not sufficient rocks or trees to rub on, fence posts make a good alternative. An electric fence will discourage this, and will certainly be necessary if you need to separate animals.

Shade
Scottish Highland cows come Scotland so they have a thick double coat to keep warm, and while they shed in summer, plenty of shade is an absolute necessity to keep them comfortable in our Australian climate.

Space
This is highly dependent on your location and rainfall. As a rough guide, 2 acres of grassy paddock per cow minimum. In winter, they may need to be hand fed supplementary feed like hay.

Company
Cattle are highly social animals, they absolutely need other bovine companies (Highland or otherwise). We won’t sell a single calf to you, we sell them as a pair or a group, unless you already own other cattle.

Yards
Young calves need somewhere they can be safely confined when they arrive, until they get to know you. This allows you to interact with them, hand feed them carrots and hay, and build a bond of trust.

It is good to have a basic cattle crush and yard as the cattle get older. If for any reason you need to call in the vet, or manage a problem with the cattle this will make life much easier for all.

Can we visit in person before buying?

We actually highly recommend that anyone buying from us must have met us and seen the cattle before we will accept any deposit.

What price are Highland cattle?

Remember you get what you pay for. Highland cattle registered or unregistered are not cheap to buy.  Do your research, contact your state Highland Cattle Society or the Australian Highland Cattle Society and find out what the current price range is. Make contact with breeders, ask questions, visit their farms and get an understanding what the market prices are.  If you see Highlands advertised at a cheap price, then its best to be very wary about scammers, or that you might be seeing an animal that has been cross bred.

At what age do you sell your calves?

We keep calves with their dams (mum) until they are ready to be weaned at around 8-9 months old

Should I get a heifer or a steer for a pet home?

If you have no intention of breeding, you are better off with a steer. Both cows and bulls will go through fences if they can, when they come into season. This is especially the case when they feel there is a mate in the next paddock across.

We often get people who feel that the cows will be quieter than the boys. We find that the steers are more docile than the girls.

What if I like highlands but are worried about the horns?

Highland cattle traditionally used their horns to forage in the snow in Scotland for food.  A highland’s horns are so unique, beautiful, and part of what makes them so sought after. They are photogenic, serve functional purposes, and grow on their heads for a reason. They do not use their horns as a fighting or charging device, in fact they are cooling device.

However you should always exercise caution around any horned animal, highland cattle included. If an animal is treated poorly, not well-socialized, or in a desperate situation, , it could become very dangerous. That said, highlands will rarely use their horns to attack or purposely harm anyone or anything. Accidents involving horns are usually just that – an unintentional accident. They are often a wrong place/wrong time scenario, or being careless and unaware.

How do I interact with a young calf?

Young calves need somewhere they can be safely confined when they arrive, until they get to know you. This allows you to interact with them, hand feed them carrots and hay, and build a bond of trust.

As you gain their trust you can start to scratch their heads and eventually brush them. You need to be calm and softly spoken, (no excited squeals), taking the time and being patient, in order to gain their trust. Sitting down on a chair or getting down to their level, makes you less threatening and generally their natural curiosity will draw them to you.

What about a Highland cross bred with another type of cattle?

Highlands have a docile, curious and gentle nature and are widely known to be easy to handle.  Due to the popularity of Highlands, some people are cross breeding other breeds of cattle with a Highland. As Highlands are quite are hard to get, this is a quicker way to breed and you might end up with an animal that looks like a Highland, but has the temperament of another breed of cattle.

Remember they are the oldest registered breed in the world and they are sought after for their beauty, medium stature, and temperament.

I’ve heard there are scammers pretending to sell Highlands?

Due to the increasing popularity of Highland cows there are lots of scammers online professing to have Highland cows for sale. They simply steal photos off genuine sites and advertise them as their own animals. So, beware of anyone wanting a deposit for an animal that you haven’t actually seen yourself. We have also heard of people wanting a deposit to visit their farm. Most highland breeders we know welcome a visit to their farm to see their animals and their temperaments.

How do you transport a Highland cow or calf?

Cows and calves travel fairly well standing up and taking in their surroundings. Trailers or crates on a ute are usually a suitable way to transport Highland calves. The trailer cage needs to be of a reasonable height, and we usually use ropes across the top of the cage to deter jumping. To avoid slipping on trailers we suggest using mesh, old carpet or hay on the floor.  They cannot be transported in horse floats as they can’t see and it is a very stressful ride for them.

How do you unload a Highland cow or calf?

Gentle loading and unloading is required to relieve any stress that the journey presents. Particularly when unloading an animal you need to take it slowly so they can navigate their way down a ramp and through a race. They will turn their heads to allow for the width of their horns but this takes some practice so must be done slowly. If you are unloading into a paddock you need to back up to a high spot or mound so they can step down without too much stress.