Before you purchase a Highland...
Do you have enough space?
It is essential to have enough land to keep cattle, even if it is just 1 or 2. Generally the maximum stocking rates are 1 cow per 2 acres, this will vary with your location based on available pasture (feed on the ground), rain fall and soil fertility.
Farm Co have a great online guide available to get started.
Do you have your PIC number?
In NSW, a property that has any number of livestock residing on the land is required to have a property identification code (PIC) registered to that property regardless of whether the livestock are being moved, traded, agisted, they are pets, or reside on the land for any other reason.
Is your land cattle ready?
You need to prep your land and ensure that there is suitable structures available to contain and maintain your highland. Do you have adequate fencing and gates, is there adequate water sources with water troughs/dams and do you have a place you can use for vet visits and general care such as yards with a crush? Yards & crushes can also be temporary cattle panels if required but you will need a place where the cow can be restrained.
Highland Cattle FAQ's
How big do Highland Cattle get?
Highland cattle are typically a medium size breed and can vary in size from 90 - 106cm for a female and 106-120cm for a male.
We do not produce miniature Highlands and it is important to know the health implications that can occur with miniature highlands. Congenital dwarfism in cattle is a serious genetic defect with real life consequences. The following information comes from an article published by the Australian Highland Cattle Society:
Chondrodysplasia (Congenital dwarfism) in cattle
Abnormally small size in cattle can have several causes, from diseases that affect embryonic development and growth, to trace element deficiencies or malnutrition. Chondrodysplasia (dwarfism) is a genetic condition affecting the growth plates. There are multiple mutations in cattle which cause dwarfism. The BD1 and BD2 (Bulldog Dwarfism) mutations have been identified in Highlands, likely introduced by early crossbreeding with Dexter cattle.
Bulldog Dwarfism is inherited as a dominant condition, meaning it will be expressed to some degree in any animal that carries a mutant copy. Additionally, BD is lethal in homozygous mutants (the result of crossing two heterozygous animals together).
Are their horns dangerous?
Highland horns are a distinct feature of this majestic breed, and this along with their long hair, is what makes them distinctive and attracts many to the breed. Are their horns dangerous? They can be in the right situation. Large animals in general are not animals you can afford to be complacent around. For the cattle at Hardwil Homestead, we ALWAYS exercise caution when around any of our cattle, highland or not. And you get to know which ones you can get closer to and which ones you should give some more space to.
Highlands have a distinct pecking order in their group, the higher up the pecking order they are the more chance they may use their horns to move other cattle away from their resources - food, water and human attention. It is important to always be aware and to have an exit strategy so you can move out of the way should that happen.
Being animals that preyed on, highlands will use their horns in defence when they feel threatened.
It is important to understand that regardless of the breed of cattle, they are a large animal and therefore mistakes made by them can be BIG mistakes. You should always treat them with respect and be alert to your environment when working with them.