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Why choose Highlands?
Apart from being the best-looking breed in the world, even-tempered and intelligent, there are many financial and business benefits from owning and breeding Highland cattle.
Meat
Insulated by long hair, rather than a thick layer of fat, their meat is the leanest of all beef breeds, with lowest cholesterol and highest iron content. They have the greatest potential of being developed into the world's premier beef breed.
Long Life Span
Many cows breed to ages in excess of 21 years, having born 18 calves. This can reduce replacement costs by 25% and produce at least double the number of calves per female over their life span, compared with other breeds.
Health
The Highland cow rarely requires more than a routine dosing, keeping veterinary bills to a minimum.
Their long lashes and dossan (fringe) shield their eyes from the sun and flying insects, so pink eye and eye cancers are rare. Due to their genetic purity they are also more resistant to other bovine diseases.
Breeding
Highland bulls are in demand as sires over dairy and first time beef heifers, as the crossbred calves thrive from the hybrid vigour produced. Calves from Highland bulls produce calves with low birth weights which makes for easy calving but then the calves grow quickly after birth.
Profitability
If you have a small property, you’re unlikely to make a huge profit from any breed, but Highlands allow you to diversify your income. The greatest demand for resale is in heifers and cows. Steers are more popular as pets for people who don’t want the hassle of breeding. All but the top 5% of bull calves are best made into steers, although some can be sold to commercial herds.
Low Maintenance
Their excellent health, ease of calving, high servicing rates of bulls and good foraging ability keep labour requirements to a minimum.
They have excellent mothering abilities, and take great care of their calves, making sure they obtain their essential first feed unaided.
Due to their intelligence and docile nature, they respond well to human contact and can easily be halter broken.
Foraging ability
While they still need feed to survive, Highlands forage better than other cattle and pasture on a wide variety of plants. With their unique digestive system, they make the most of whatever is offered to them, wasting nothing.
Hardiness & Versatility
They can survive in almost any climate and have adapted extremely well to New Zealand conditions.
They are well suited to either high hill country or flat pasture, leading to their acceptance as one of the most versatile breeds in the world.
Pulling power
For many people, encountering Highland cattle is an event. Few other breeds have the sheer charisma to make passers-by stop in their tracks, or tempt them to pose by a fence to be photographed with them. Their beauty has changed very little over the centuries making them a popular tourist attraction.
Popularity
Highlands are one of the fastest-growing breeds in New Zealand, with demand sometimes outstripping the market’s ability to supply.
In Scotland, there are fine herds – or ‘Folds’ – in many places, with an increasing number of the old black type.
With well-supported breed groups in many countries, a solid fan base of knowledgeable enthusiasts, and farmers around the world (such as Canada and Australia) now appreciating the Highlands’ qualities, this Scottish icon is on the rise again.
A Highland to suit you
Whether:
* you’re interested in quality animals or cross breeding
* you run a large commercial operation or own a small lifestyle block
* you need a bull to cover your commercial or Dairy females
* or you just want a Highland as a pet to graze your front paddock
Contact us now.
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