Highland pricing

Indeed, Highlands are tough to make money on except as a specialty niche market. They just grow too slowly. Anybody that considers them either wants them for their own use, or (if they have a large fold) has spent a lot of time cultivating and satisfying a list of customers that are convinced of the benefits of a well raised and finished Highland for their freezer, as opposed to other breeds raised and finished in the same manner.

Consequently, that is why you find such a wide variation in prices as opposed to other breeds, as some people are just not cut out for the additional effort it takes be successful with them, and they are going to dump them for little money. Those destined for the freezer or those just standing in the pasture to produce more calves won't have much value other than meat value, where those that are expected to allow easy handling and, dare I say, companionship are worth more to a select group of people. Our #1 Highland cow has actually intervened to "protect" us when we have had trouble with a mini Hereford that was a wild thing. When we were wrestling the Hereford on the lead and appeared to be losing the battle, the Highland actually went over the top of a field fence and then used her horns to pin the Hereford to the ground for us so we could get it under control. It's hard for me to put a price on a Highland like that.

If these are good ones, you can't pick a better breed for what your goals are. Good Luck and let us know how it goes!!!

Buying a herd sire is a lot different than buying a meat animal.

I can go down to the auction and buy a slab-sided, scrawny haunched, spotted bull for very little money. But I don't want that type siring my future calves. Because his calves are going to be slab-sided, scrawny haunched, and probably spotted.

A really top quality bull is an investment in the future. The farmer that has raised him has put a lot of extra effort into it and has earned a bit extra to pay him for his extra effort.

Thought this may be apply to the discussion. This post was on Craig's list in Charlotte, NC today.

Right on the money! This should be right up at the top of the list. Your bull is 50% of your future herd.

SCRancher- Thanks for the C/L tip!

I went to look at the bull and cow today. In the pasture, they're unapproachable. The bull was seperated from the cows, and in a small pen. I asked if he could be put in a stall, and he was a bit calmer there. I was able to handle him, but he was still a bit flighty and seemed nervous. Hadn't been handle anywhere near as much as I was led to believe. Couldn't get near the three cows, perhaps becasue they had two newborn calves with them. From about 20 yards, she looked ok. Couldn't get a good look at her udder or hooves. Not sure if these are right for me. Might make a lower offer than the $2400 asking price. The yearling bull is out of Top Mcdougal, a pretty good looking bull.

From what you describe, the bull doesn't sound like he's too hard to handle. There's still a little time to work with him since he's not that old, before he gets set in his temperament, and as long as he didn't show signs of aggression he will probably be just right...not real friendly but also not flighty.

The cows are a bigger concern. They are very tough to get settled down once they get a bit older. Treats work the best up to a point. The problem with treats is that they can start to get pushy, and you have to be aware of their horns which is a bit stressful for you.

This is what we do when we graduate from treats (they usually like alfalfa cubes, though we are fortunate that we have about 300 apple trees to use).
Once you can handle them a little, we start from the back, and work our way forward as they settle down using this brush (link below). Once you can brush them from the chin down to the brisket, you have them hooked. This is by far the best brush to use:

http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CEQQ8wIwAQ

The advantage to this is that it is not food, and so they are a little more respectful for you and you can back away without them chasing you down and getting back into your space. If they get a little pushy, don't be afraid to give them a little rap on the horns once in a while with the brush to let them know it is not acceptable behavior. It just has to be a little knock, not too hard. They'll usually learn.

Calves should have nothing to do with approachability of the cows. Our touchable cows are touchable even immediately post birth. There have been many a time I have grabbed a teat and helped it into the babies mouth. If those cows are not approachable, they likely never will be. They may calm down some and become used to your presence, but handleable? 50/50 chance.

Also, bear in mind that if you are buying a bull to keep as a herd sire, you want him unrelated to the cows. You can breed father to daughter 2 or 3 times without ill effect, but if he's already related, you are one generation short already.

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Lakeport: You read my mind by posting the brush link! I was wondering what type works on these hairy beasts.

We might go back for a second look at the bull. In addition to the C/L add that SCRancher posted, I emailed a larger Highland ranch and they will sell a cow with a heifer calf and a yearling bull for $2400-$2800 depnding on color and extent of training/handling. This fella was asking for $1200 for the 16 month old bull and the 3 year old cow (he's planning to AI in a week or two). Might call him back and offer $1000 for the bull. I feel a bit sorry for the bull ( I know... I'm a softie there), he's penned alone with nothing but a blue barrel to play with. He can see the other cows, but can't be with them.

Our brush doesn't look like that. Its more comb style, made of steel, but the tines are 90 degrees to the handle.

__________________
www.infowars.com
www.angorafiber.com
Licensed ARBA Registrar