The breed’s history is quite complex! Herd books of the past recorded details of two different types of Highland cattle; however, it seems that decades of crossbreeding have faded the lines between the two, leaving only one official Highland cattle type.
Records also show that Highland is actually the oldest registered breed in the world, mostly due to the fact that their herd book predates all others.
The Highland breed is predominantly used for beef production but can be milked on a small scale. Their milk has a high butterfat content, which some farmers may find appealing.
Interestingly, a group of Highland cattle is not called a herd, but a ‘fold’ instead.
500+ years
of cattle breeding
Their coat is often the most discussed attribute of these cattle. When Highland cattle are mentioned, people often immediately think of their ginger-red coat. However, their coloring can vary between black, brindle, yellow and even white!
Their hair is always long, sometimes reaching about 13 inches, with a slight wave. Since their coat is double-layered, the outer hair is oiled to prevent rain seeping into their skin, while the downy undercoat provides warmth during the rough and rainy Scottish winters.
Highland cattle aren’t very large, with bulls weighing about 800kg and cows reaching around 500kg.
Their hair, although an advantage in their native Scotland, can be troublesome for Highland cattle bred in other countries. Warmer climates can be stressful for the cattle since their heavy coat will cause overheating.
They have long and distinctive horns, which actually help them forage for food during snowy winters! They can use their horns as a way to dig deep into pastures that have been covered with snow. Although this is a benefit to the cattle, some farmers may find horns to be troublesome, especially if the cattle are kept in close proximity to other animals.
They have great longevity! This reduces herd replacement costs since they’re known to live for about 20 years; a considerably longer lifespan than other beef breeds. The average number of calves per cow is 12, and some cows can still calve into their eighteenth year!
Highland cattle are usually able to mate at about 18 months of age, and pregnancy in Highland cows usually lasts up to 290 days. They can often calve unassisted, cutting down on veterinary costs during the birth process. This is because calves usually have slim bodies that move easily through the large Highland dam’s pelvis. Calves usually weigh no more than 30kg at birth.