new Highland bull calf!

lakeportfarms · #21 11/29/12, 01:53 PM

Shayanna,

Yes, Highlands browse. Our old apple orchard that they are pastured in has every branch nipped to the height that their extended tongues can reach. Which can be a good thing or bad thing, if you don't want to reach too high for your apples

Highlands crossed with other breeds do well, one of the knocks of the Highland is that they are slow to mature, and sometimes don't calve until they are 3-4 years old. But they have a very long lifespan and can calve into their 20's.

We have crossed our Highlands with Dexters. Since both breeds have a double coat of hair, the crosses get pretty close to the full Highland in the winter here in Michigan. They mature more quickly due to the Dexter influence, and you get a moderate size animal that is easy on the pastures and has excellent feed efficiency.

Our family has a cabin in Manton with some acreage adjacent to state land for hunting and snowmobiling, so I'm familiar with the area. If I was there more often I'd have a fold of Highlands there. They are beautiful in the deep fresh snow.

SpaceCadet12364 · #22 11/29/12, 08:01 PM

This guy also has a slightly older half-brother born in august. Will have to try and get a more recent pic of him as well.....that one is a darkish looking red brindle.

RedRider · #23 11/29/12, 11:14 PM

Thanks everyone for all the info. This area just might be good for this market niche.
When you started did you purchase pregnant heifers or buy weaned babies?
Do you have special fencing for them or will a sturdy perimeter fence w/hotwire suffice?

Space....
I would love to see his brother!

RedRider

SpaceCadet12364 · #24 11/30/12, 06:32 AM

Try to get pic today. We bought heifers, pregnant heifers, pregnant cows ( one gave birth 3 days later, would not of done that if knew she was that close), And a real nice bull. You could lead him without a halter just grab a ear or horn tip and say come on lets go and he would follow. He knew he was going to see some new ladies, so he was happy.

The Dun cow is mom. And his Brindle brother, him in the background sleeping off breakfast. His brothers brindle color is starting to come in the dark mask and as he loses the baby fur the body should match his face.

Shayanna · #25 11/30/12, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakeportfarms

Shayanna,

Yes, Highlands browse. Our old apple orchard that they are pastured in has every branch nipped to the height that their extended tongues can reach. Which can be a good thing or bad thing, if you don't want to reach too high for your apples

Highlands crossed with other breeds do well, one of the knocks of the Highland is that they are slow to mature, and sometimes don't calve until they are 3-4 years old. But they have a very long lifespan and can calve into their 20's.

We have crossed our Highlands with Dexters. Since both breeds have a double coat of hair, the crosses get pretty close to the full Highland in the winter here in Michigan. They mature more quickly due to the Dexter influence, and you get a moderate size animal that is easy on the pastures and has excellent feed efficiency.

Our family has a cabin in Manton with some acreage adjacent to state land for hunting and snowmobiling, so I'm familiar with the area. If I was there more often I'd have a fold of Highlands there. They are beautiful in the deep fresh snow.

I know they are quite an expensive breed, but I didn't realize you were in Michigan. If you ever have calves for cheap (500 or less) let me know. Bull or heifer, I don't care. I know its unlikely, but I would be interested. I say 500 now, but in the spring I could probably afford something more expensive.

RedRider · #26 12/01/12, 01:14 AM

Space

Wow! Mom is so beautiful. His brother looks like a teddy bear. I wish I was closer to you.
It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact this breed is docile, they look so darn intimidating.
Thanks for taking the time to post pics.
I want to find a ranch nearby to view them in person.

RedRider

lakeportfarms · #27 12/01/12, 09:58 PM

RedRider,

They're a very docile breed, handled properly. But even docile animals can be ruined with poor handling.

Shayanna, we have a mahogany bull calf born April 12th, 2012 available that somebody backed out of a purchase a couple of months ago. He is halter and lead trained, extremely docile and respectful. I'll send you a PM with some more information.

new Highland bull calf! - Cattle

SpaceCadet12364 · #28 12/01/12, 10:13 PM

The Brindle one's mom will let you milk her in the pasture. It take's just a little bit of handling to get these guy's to do what you want. Brushing, scratching they like. Just don't let them start rubbing on you or you have had it. (think 1500 or god forbid 1800lbs. trying to rub on you ).

RedRider · #29 12/01/12, 11:28 PM

What a beautiful picture! Yeah, 1500/1800 lb using you as a scratching post is a no win situation.

Santa baby, just slip a Highland under the tree, for me
Been an awful good girl
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

I hope Santa's listening

RedRider

ufo_chris · #30 12/02/12, 07:50 PM

Spacecadett, you advised me b/f on the color changes, how can you tell that calf is gonna be brindle? Is it cause it has a lighter nose with the dark undercoat? Or can you see it in the coat?
Reason I ask ,I have one that looks sorta like yours right now!
Also, what do you do when the young ones start rubbing or butting you so the stop?

SpaceCadet12364 · #31 12/02/12, 08:51 PM

The brindling is more noticeable first when you see the nose is not a straight pink. There will be a mild to strong stripey grey or blackish coloring along with the pink. Then gradually you should notice a darkish coloring more around the nose and eyes (not raccoony, but not that far off either). Its not really bold striping with brindles, the long hair masks it somewhat. Most of the time it isnt as noticeable on the whole animal, more noticeable around their heads and face because of the shorter hair. More noticeable overall during the summer when usually their hair is thinned out/slicked.

Usually brindles will be the darker reddish color, with the slightly darker "stripey" look...but, you can sometimes get ones with the slightly lighter stripey look or highlights (as compared to the darker 'lowlights'). On yellow cows you might sometimes get a brindling effect too...but is usually the lighter colored stripey effect.

As far as discouraging the young ones from rubbing on you.......which, of course with the horn aspect is something you wanna nip in the bud EARLY......we've found that popping them with a smack of your hand/fingertips on the end of the nose and a nice strong "NO" seems to work pretty good. But, just like with small kids, you cant wait too long to teach them acceptable behaviors. Momma cows will rap them with the broad side of their horns when they need it.....seen that happen at the treats trough.

SpaceCadet12364 · #32 12/02/12, 09:32 PM

This is a red one. .................................................. .................................................. ......................... And this is Brindle. See the difference in the nose.

ufo_chris · #33 12/03/12, 12:19 AM

Thanks Spacecadet, I will look at my calf tomorrow to see more. I'm glad you know so much about the colors.
And thanks for the rubbing and headbutting tips!
Nice Cows and Bull!!!

SpaceCadet12364 · #34 12/03/12, 05:11 AM

They are not mine the little guy with his mom was our first herd sire and he was very nice and pleasant to be around but naughty at times. Unroll a bale of hay and lay and roll in it.

mwillardson · #35 12/04/12, 04:39 PM

would be willing to pay the $1000, just need to figure out transportaiton to Colorado. We need some new blood out here.
Do you have seamen for sale?

SpaceCadet12364 · #36 12/04/12, 05:41 PM

If you come pick him up at six months He can ride in the back of pickup in a pen. Our vet has loading ramp if you have one on your end. (bring Hay and a big bucket for water) Or do like some around here put him in back of suv or van with dog fence at back seat.

On a serious note though, maybe if someone else out in your neck of the woods might also want a new bloodline, combination of resources works pretty good in making one trip between two parties each buying a bull calf.....just something to think on.

Oh, the silver bull calf's dam & sire numbers are #49770 (dam) and #49872 (sire).

The Brindle guy's dam is #36231. Sire #49872.

No semen straws to sell, sorry about that. Have never had a bull collected......no local collectors that we are aware of.