Tell me about Scottish Highland cattle...

Suzyq2u · #1 03/07/13, 07:45 PM

So we're considering an young heifer in the area.
We're new to cows (have goats, atm). Trying to learn all we can.
Anything specific I should look for when we go to see her?
Anything we *don't* want to see??
We'd want to milk her later on. She isn't halter trained at the moment.

Thoughts, concerns, criticism? Thanks

opportunity · #2 03/07/13, 07:58 PM

Some lines do not milk very well a I have one that would never have enough for me and a calf. I would want to start haulter breaking sooner rather then later if you plan to milk, also it might be harder to milk a highland they can have more trouble getting their horns where they need them. They are a very hardy breed mine eat way less then the angus and they don't act cold even when it's below 0.

SpaceCadet12364 · #3 03/07/13, 08:02 PM

look at the thread of highland colors here. so you will know what color you are looking at.you will not get a high quantity of milk from her. You are looking for short legs stocky square build and being able to pet her. She should still have a long thick winter coat it may be dulling for spring. Bright eyes usually dark brown maybe light brown but rare I have two. Base of horns warm to the touch. watch her walk and not throwing legs out to walk you want a nice fluid walk.The big thing is a easy temperament. If you had a picture it would be easier. speaking of eating less than angus me and the neighbor feed the same number of cows I use less than 3 bales a week he uses almost 5 hay from same place.

Suzyq2u · #4 03/07/13, 08:08 PM

Thanks for the info!
We're not looking for a lot of milk, for our family and anything else would be bonus.

bluetogreens · #5 03/08/13, 09:29 AM

She comes from good blood lines, has the "traditional" build from what pictures we've seen. Not halter broke, but coems for treats and scratches. My main concern is at 8 months old it will be at the least 10-12 months before we can breed her, then another 280+ days until production starts. We would calf share hoping for a quart'ish a day for personal consumption the calf can have the rest. Also of concern is finding an AI tech etc. I/we know nothing about that-semex genex etc do not advert highland but there is other sources that use genex storage.

I am thinking if we start into highlands, I would pay the higher dollar for scottish import lines to hopefully broaden the base here in central ok, but we would only keep 2-3 heifers w/ calves tops as we are ony on 8 acres.

Also- I know they survive/thrive on lower quality browse, but do they browse like dexters (i.e. like goats) or are they complete grazers?

SpaceCadet12364 · #6 03/08/13, 10:19 AM

Mine will eat thistle flowers,pig weed/iron weed,Honey suckle,trumpet vine, willow. apple/pear/peach leaves and bows. Our bull pushes small willow trees over to get the young shoots. We have alfalfa and clover in the pasture they eat that first of course. Any apple and pears that fall on their side of the fence they eat. Pumpkins and melons they will eat. You don't have to Scotland to get different stock just get your bull one or two states away and you should be good. It is to hard and costly to transport that many cows so just get the bull from a different line.

I have a 7mo. brindle bull that would be perfect for her. His sire is from Ga., dam from Tenn. If interested. we are in central ky. also have silver 4mo. bull. pm me for phone number.

opportunity · #7 03/08/13, 10:47 AM

They eat lots of things. My first highland bull had a thing for puncture vine I have no idea how he ate it but he would do anything to get to it. As the name inplies the plant punctures things like tires. They also age pears and apples off the trees. liked to sample sagebrush and would mow down all the young trees in the pasture. They also loved my garden they would eat anything in it I would let them they got the weeds everytime I pulled them. could you post her name so we could look at the blood line?

Suzyq2u · #8 03/09/13, 07:02 PM

We had a great visit with the owners, I feel much less intimidated now

So here she is (the lighter of the two - though the steer was lovely too!)...
She'll be coming home next week

SpaceCadet12364 · #9 03/09/13, 07:26 PM

Very nice dark yellow guessing 400-425 lbs maybe a little more. short face , no split ears(teddy bear ears, mitten ears) nice long coat and forelock(starting to sluff off), Looks like she will make a fine cow in about a year or so. Just make sure to worm and delouse. All she can eat grass / mineral/salt a little shade and water. Reminds me of our Rachel. now 11yrs old and still short cycles after calving 21 days and comes into heat and sticks almost every time(310 days between calves). Is she registered or not?

Suzyq2u · #10 03/09/13, 07:59 PM

Thanks!
She will be registered (she's filling out the forms for us before she comes home)
We're very excited