Highlands
Highland Cattle originated as a breed in the western highlands of Scotland. The first herd book was produced in1885 after the founding of The Highland Cattle Society of Scotland in 1884. The original breed description remains unchanged.
The Scottish highlands are renown for their high rainfall of over 1500mm/yr.
The higher hill country experiences up to 60 snow days /year and can be blasted by gales. Here the grass grows poorly. Generations of cattle bred in cold windswept wintery hills on rough pasture have created the hardy Highland Cattle of today. These hardy browsers convert rougher grazing into quality meat more easily than other beef breeds.
The long oily double coat provides resistance to wind, cold and insect pests. The warm downy undercoat reduces the need for a fat layer. Marbled highland meat is healthier because it is low in cholesterol and fat, but full of flavour.
In spring, the winter coat is shed to a minimal coat of forlock (fringe), main and tail. Highland cattle need access to shade in summer. My cattle enjoy the wet areas of our farmlet, or like to stand in the water troughs!
Calves are small but vigorous at birth. Highland cows have good mothering instinct, and frequently calve into their late teens. Highland bulls pass on these useful characteristics making them valuable to Highland breeders, but also to all beef farmers.
Highland cattle have inquisitive personalities and generally calm natures.
Truly Beautiful Beef!
Hummels
The Hummel is a newly re-established breed of polled Highland. It is thought that Hummels were recognised in years gone by.
Most likely the name Hummel refers to the lack of horns (hummel meaning unadorned). Our hummels are now second and third generation, based on our polled nurse cows and our fullblood Highland bulls.
A bit on the side
Bred-up or Graded Highlands are the result of pure Highland sire (either via artificial insemination or as a natural mating) to a non-highland cow. The first generation calf is called a ‘C’ Grade. This ‘C’ Grade cow to a pure Highland sire produces a ‘B’ Grade calf. This ‘B’ cow’s calf is an ‘A’ Grade calf.
Under the current NZHCS constitution,only female ‘graded’ calves are allowed to be registered. The herd book was closed to new ‘C’ grades several years ago. An ‘A’ grade bull calf cannot be registered in the NZHCS herd book. However, this ‘A’ Grade Bull might be a good choice for a ‘Terminal Sire’.