Genuine ease of calving.

We have not had to assist at a birth since we started with Highland Cattle in 1987. In years gone by Highland Cattle were mainly left to fend for themselves … they either calved successfully or died in the process. This created a natural culling process which we benefit from today.
 

High Quality Carcasses.

Highland Cattle carry very little surface fat but do have a certain amount of fine marbling throughout. Although they are slower to mature than many other breeds, the wait is worth it. The meat is tender and succulent and is very much in demand in the home freezer market. Steers can be marketed privately, commanding top prices per kilogram on "the hook" when sold to the home freezer market.
 

Hides.

The Highland's long coat is made up of two layers — an under-down and longer, coarser outer layer, which protects them from excessive cold and wind. We are often asked about shearing them! But this is quite unnecessary. They cleverly grow their winter coats when the temperatures fall and cast them off again in the spring.

This hairy overcoat means the carcass does not lay down the thick layer of surface fat necessary to so many other breeds, so the meat is lean yet full of flavour with just the right amount of marbled fat throughout.

But there's more! Hides from these magnificent animals can be sold for almost as much as the meat making them more profitable than your average cattle. They make luxurious rugs with hair about 4 - 6 inches long and can be found in colours from white through yellow to reds and on to black.
 

Hardiness.

Perhaps one of the most dominant features (however, it needs to be said that like any other animal, they cannot survive on fresh air alone). Their ability to forage along with slower maturity means that they can hold their condition for longer in poor conditions than most other breeds of cattle.

What does this mean? . . .

They will survive where other breeds struggle.
 

Conception rates will remain high for a longer period when poor conditions are encountered.
 

Health problems are seldom encountered.
 

Potential for higher stocking rate (the pros and cons of higher stocking rates need to be considered first)

Docile and easy to handle.

The general tendency is towards docility. There is no doubt that they have their "pecking order" within the herd. Occasionally this can lead to bullying when yarded, but we have never seen this carried through to our handling of them in the yards.

Commonsense dictates that cattle with large horns should be yarded in numbers that allow for plenty of space for both the animals and the handlers.
 

Longevity.

It is not uncommon for Highland Cattle to breed to ages in excess of 18. This is substantially greater than many other breeds and can reduce replacement costs by 25%.
 

Ideal for the smaller property.

With all the traits above, they are ideal for the smaller property. Their inquisitive nature and steady disposition make them a delight to handle.

Carcasses can be sold direct to the home freezer market. The high quality of the meat ensures top prices on "the hook". The hides are tanned and sold separately. With such marketing, nett profit on a steer can exceed the normal market price by a considerable margin, giving a far greater return than other breeds of cattle.
 

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Copyright of Cruachan Highland Cattle or the stated information source.

Cruachan Highland Cattle,
PO Box 228, Maffra, Victoria 3860, Australia

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