Highlander cattle

[4720 OWNER]

Is there any one out there running Highlander cattle?

 

[RayH]

You mean these?
i dont have any but my wife ( and I ) think they are awesome. We saw this pair while driving around the PA countryside and had to stop to snap some pics.

 

[ldabe]

Here is a site:
http://wolfemountainfarms.com/

that raises / sells / and teaches about these animals.

If you will email Mrs.Wolfe (wolfe1@getgoin.net) she is full of knowledge and always willing to help others if she can. She can probably help you with any questions.

If you contact her, tell "Abe" from Michigan said hi.

 

[ToadHill]

I don't have them, but I have a neighbor who does. They survive cold weather very well and have a very gentle disposition. They can live on some really poor forage and reproduce easily.

 

[deereguy]

We have 2 Scottish Highlander steers, we were training to be oxen. Due to life getting in the way that never developed. As mentioned above for the most part they have a sweet disposition, the one is actually cranky and the other one likes more attention.

From what I recall, the picture is that of females, the horns are more upright vs males that stay more hozional. Last time we measured tip to tip was around 52" and they know exactly where those tips are. One night the one got his tip in the belt loop of my back of dad's jeans and took him for a little suprise. LOL.

 

[4720 OWNER]

Thanks guys. Currently working with a herd of about 30 about half and half bulls and cows. Before anyone gets upset, this is a left over herd that was marginally cared for the past couple years. Am currently reducing the herd slowly by monthly intervals to the locker plant. The herd has much better disposition now that some of the naughty ones have been relocated to little white packages in the freezer. Biggest complaint have gotten back on the beef is that there is not enough fat in it so people try to cook it too much and end up with something that is more suitable for walking on, but the flavor is wonderful.

On the hoof sales have been weak if at all. Lookers but no buyers unless giving them away, like it is a favor or something. North and west of here, calves that were going for $200 are now going for $100 if at all. Yet in the grocery store they have no problem charging $4.29 for a pound of 96% lean.

 

[4720 OWNER]

I don't have them, but I have a neighbor who does. They survive cold weather very well and have a very gentle disposition. They can live on some really poor forage and reproduce easily.

You should see how exciting it is when you get too close to baby and mom is not amused! Good thing the herding dog was there to draw her off some.

 

[deereguy]

Sounds like the place where we got ours at, he had a bunch of them (a few hundred maybe), just couldn't market that lean of beef. He took VERY good care of them. Some people have said they are "too cute" to put in a freezer.

 

[4720 OWNER]

Sounds like the place where we got ours at, he had a bunch of them (a few hundred maybe), just couldn't market that lean of beef. He took VERY good care of them. Some people have said they are "too cute" to put in a freezer.

Have heard that theory, but they are not as cute when they are out for the umteenth time since they feel the grass is better on the other side of the fence. No fence will hold them then. Better is trying to separate calves out, they will travel thru at least 2 fences and a creek to get back to the 'kids'.

Anyone know of any tanners left that will do hair on tanning? I have done it but a whole cow hide is just too big for me to handle.

 

[TimC]

There's a guy down the road that has one of those. We were sure it was a Yak!

 

[DreaminGreen]

At wheelview farm in Shelburne MA. they raise highland and belted galloway cattle. I have tried their beef and it is imho a little too lean but very tender when cooked properly. Here is a link Wheel-View Farm Natural Grassfed Beef

 

[gsganzer]

So... when you milk them, do you get scotch?

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

I have a buddy up in Nebraska that raises them for food - and tans the hides to sell since they look so much like Yak - only smaller. (he has a fur trading business, too)

my experience was if they're 3 or over, they shouldn't be used for anything but jerky or ground. Under 3 and they're quite tasty.
yes they run very lean if purely range fed, but if you grain them for 3-4 weeks before butchering, they marble up pretty well.

good luck!

 

[HappyCPE]

There's a guy in Kingwood Township who raises them, then butchers them and sells the meat in his store. I don't know much about the raising part, but the eating part I have a lot of experience with - and they're Tasty!

 

[4720 OWNER]

I have a buddy up in Nebraska that raises them for food - and tans the hides to sell since they look so much like Yak - only smaller. (he has a fur trading business, too)

my experience was if they're 3 or over, they shouldn't be used for anything but jerky or ground. Under 3 and they're quite tasty.
yes they run very lean if purely range fed, but if you grain them for 3-4 weeks before butchering, they marble up pretty well.

good luck!

Is that hair on tanning? Know the concept and have done it but the breaking is just too big for my taste. Had a motorcycle jacket made with one, like a big wooky!! Had to send it to Ca. to have it done though. Darn coat has more airline miles than i do! Some day will have to figure out how to do pics.

Ground seems to sell better here, but there are some jerky fans out there as well!

 

[4720 OWNER]

There's a guy down the road that has one of those. We were sure it was a Yak!

Highlanders go moo. Yaks kind of grunt. Both can be quite entertaining in their own right.

 

[canoetrpr]

Before we started boarding the horses we were seriously thinking about starting a small Highland herd.

Wish I had enough land to do both. That said, I have thought about raising a steer or two (of a polled breed) along side the horses for the freezer.

 

[4720 OWNER]

Come 'on down. No steers, but some prime steak bulls, why wait to feed your own! Heck i will even cook the first steak!! Or burger, your choice. I am more than happy to put these guys out, one way or another. Could even set up with my butcher here and just stop by and pick it up!! Got burger cow that is going out Feb 1 for butcher, be back as cute as ever in 2 or 3 weeks. Have to check and see but may be able to work out a hay deal, i think i am a little short yet.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

Is that hair on tanning? Know the concept and have done it but the breaking is just too big for my taste.

yes, it was hair on, but I don't know where he had it done - just that he would ship several hides out at after butchering season and until they shipped they were salted and stacked between sheets of plywood or something to keep them flat.

whereabouts are you with this herd you're trying to thin?

 

[4720 OWNER]

Minnesota, south of the twin cities. Exurbia, soon to be suburbia. Knew it was no longer farm country when the 1st land rover showed up.