#Scottish highland cattle how to

How To Care For And Maintain The Scottish Highland Cows It seems that they really adore the beef taste of the highland cows to justify such a step. Even more – in 1954 the royal family from the Balmoral Castle started to maintain their own fold of fuzzy cows. They were quite imposing, yet elegant creatures, and since then they became popular and recognizable highland cattle. It is known that the Mainland type of Scottish cow won the favor from the Queen Victoria herself. They were less hairy and their main color was brown or ginger. The Mainland, on the other hand, were bigger as they had access to a larger variety of nutrition. Also, these were quite hairy cows as they had to withstand the low temperatures. They were smaller than the Mainland type and their color was black. Their name is related to the “kyles” – an isthmus in the river, where farmers led their cattle to the marketplace.

The Kyloe originated from the Western Islands of Scotland, where the climate is quite harsh. They were first described on 10th June 1885 in the Herd Book of the Highland Cattle Society. There are two main types of Scottish cattle: Kyloe and Mainland. Even though, they can be found in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, and the United States of America. The motherland of the Highland cows is Scotland. There they’ve adapted to the cold climate and grow their hair, which keeps them protected from the harsh environment during the entire year. Eventually, the herds migrated from Africa to the north lands of Europe, including England and Scotland specifically. They were known as Hamitic Longhorn – the cattle of kings, and have Egyptian roots (dated around 4000 years B.C.). Some say that the royal predecessor of the Scottish Highland cow is Ankole-Watusi.

all prices are given in GBP of the date of sale.Scottish Highland Cow – Historical Roots And Habitat.

all animals named are identified by their Highland Cattle Society herdbook number.

If you would like to know why, please visit our Bull One page. I finally saw what I considered to be IT.

Repeatedly I heard the phrases:Īfter giving this carful consideration for some time I set about to try and find such a bull, looking at cattle all over Europe, the USA, and Canada. On my recent visits to the United States and Canada several overseas breeders have asked where they might source high quality Highland semen from genetics which as yet were new to AI programs outside the UK. I have had the privilege on many occasions to have been invited to judge overseas and also to help new breeders select cattle to establish their folds, always taking particular care in relation to the environment in which they are to be kept.

In 1993 and again in 2003 I gave the Highland Cattle Society the use of my bulls, MOLOUG of TINTO 7573 and CONAN of CORRIEMUCHLOCH 8917 with the proviso that the semen was to made available worldwide and that any monies made from the sale of semen were to be used for breed development. I have long been convinced of the value of AI programs in broadening and improving the gene pool. The first Highland bull to be used in an AI program was GILLE COIR 2 ND OF SCONE PALACE 5602 in 1964. Highland breeders not only at home but throughout the world have benefited from the many good Highland bulls that have been made available in AI programs over the past 50 years. Molaug of Tinto, used extensively in AI programs with great success Today costs and governmental regulations make this sort of transaction prohibitive.īy far the best way for Highland breeders to introduce new genetics into their breeding programs is by artificial insemination or embryo transfer. I myself over the years have sold Highland bulls and heifers to breeders in Australia, Canada and the United States thankfully they all survived the long journey and went on to do well in their new homes. I can well remember a time when Highland breeders from the United States, Canada and Australia would attend the sales in Oban prepared to go to great expense not only buying whatever cattle took their fancy but also more than willing to pay often as much as the buying price to get their chosen cattle back home. Every year Highland breeders from overseas attend the February and October sales in Oban organised by the Highland Cattle Society, with regular consignments leaving the sale having been bought by breed enthusiasts throughout Europe. The growing interest in Highland Cattle over the past forty years has led to Breed Associations being set up the world over. These cattle, bred for generations and specifically adapted to the hills and glens of their native land, have excited the interest of breeders across the globe. Ever since I became involved with Scottish Highland Cattle, almost fifty years ago, the breed has spread worldwide. Scottish Genetics came into being because of the increasing demand worldwide for new Highland Genetics.

Scottish highland cattle