![]() The way to the calf was "through" the mama. The Highland breed is very protective of their young and after a couple of weeks we were wondering if we were ever going to get the chance at any human/calf bonding started, as "mama" was not going to have anything to do with it! Being animal lovers from a young age, it didn't take us long to come to our senses and realize that we were approaching the situation from the wrong angle. ![]() This was a great learning experience for us and we are forever grateful to that young man for giving us that experience. We wanted to get the bull calf accustomed to us as soon as possible, so the owner made arrangements to let us take both mother and son home until the calf was ready to wean. And so the addiction of the Scottish Highlander breed began for us. The calf was a 2 month old mahogany red bull, and after watching mother and son interact for a while, we fell in love. Well we finally found the fold and let me tell you that the bull was mighty impressive! Almost 2000 lbs, and absolutely intimidating! We were also impressed by a beautiful 3 year old mohogany colored cow with a calf at her side. This trait was for the cows only, not the bulls. After a few moments of silence he sensed that an explanation was in order and proceeded to tell us that in the Highland fold.not always, but usually.the one with the longest horns is the boss cow, hence the long stick, or pseudo horn. His answer was very serious, "Yes" he told us. Joking, we asked him if he was going to fend off a spooked cow with it. A few minutes later he excused himself and went back towards the house to a lean-to shed and returned with a long stick. So off we go on foot to the "back forty" to see if we could find the bull. We discussed our situation and he seemed to understand. Come to find out he had 40 acres and a lot of it was wooded, which is where the cows stayed during the heat of the day, or in the pond, which was not visible from the highway. We told him that we were interested in the Highland breed and inquired if he still raised them. The gentleman that answered the door was a very nice young man and willing to talk to us. Curiosity getting the better of us, we decided to stop and inquire. Then one day we went by a farm on the highway that raised Highland cattle and though we had been by there a few times in the past we had only seen the prehistoric looking animals once. We were not really interested in purchasing a bull and the Highlander breed came with a hefty price tag for a lawn mower. ![]() We had no luck finding a Highland bull to breed our heifers with. That sounded real good for a couple that intended on retiring! We were also aware that Highland beef is 70% lower in cholesteral than most other beef breeds, even lower than poultry if raised naturally. Some of their characteristics are that they have lower birth weight, ease of calving and rarely needing help with birthing. During all our research on cattle we had become more and more intrigued by the very old, very intelligent, "Scottish Highland" breed. Of course we had to find a bull to breed them with. Over time we decided to breed our little "lawn mowers" and double their duty. We have no idea what breed or mix of breeds they are, but "DUSTY ROSE & DARLA" have brought us a great deal of laughs.worry over their first calves.and joy when they greet us with their bellows. Two heifers as different as night and day. We wound up getting two, 4 month old heifers, so that the one would not be lonely. The fourth time, determined not to come back without a "heifer", we borrowed a trailer to cinch the decision. We went to the auction barn three times previous to making our decision. So for the next year we researched, observed, learned and continued to mow. The minute we got there we knew we had a lot to learn. What a great idea, we would also be raising our own grass-fed beef in the meantime! So off we go to the local auction barn.without a clue as to what we were doing. and our homestead also.we decided that we could use a cow to help keep the overgrowth down. Upon retirement, we had 5 fenced acres of grassland with a small wooded area and a 6 stall barn. we are not your typical cow ranchers either. Here at "Double D Scottish Highland Farm" we consider our Scottish Highlanders pets. Well you've come to the right place, as any owner of the Highland breed will easily talk "till the cows come home" about them. Since you are here you've no doubt acquired some previous knowledge of this graceful and beautiful animal and wish to know more. ~ Thank you for visiting our Scottish Highland website.
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