Highland cattle!

[pawtraitart]

I agree with kwtaven. We researched dexters before deciding on highlands and after talking to alot of people with experience with both of them, the highlands were the obvious choice. They are so easy to work with.

Highlands are smaller than angus and do come in a polled version, but it's my understanding that those are hybrids. I don't know what they mix into their genetics to take out the horn factor.

 

[newchickowner]

They are beautiful!!! And I love the horns! Your Bull is adorable! I live in Texas near Dallas, is my climate just too warm to have some here?

 

[ncgnance]

What beautiful "wee shaggy beasts", as a friend of mine from Scotland calls Highlands. I wanted Highlands, but I think they do better in cooler climates than the North Carolina piedmont area. I love Dexters, too, and hope to get mine next year, if I can afford them next year. Congratulations on your new "family."

 

[Nuggetsowner:)]

I have been following this post with some interest. We live in Minnesota and have been doing alot of research on the Dexter breed because of their size. We did not realize the points you all have made of their ability to be destructive. We have spoken to a couple of breeders and neither have mentioned this. How does the Highland breed compare in size to the Dexters?

 

[Omeletta]

Thanks, Kstaven, I can use all the help I can get. It would be an expensive mistake, and of course, we are trying to avoid any possible mistake before-hand, by educating ourselves. Nugget, I am also interested in the size, and also in the milk quality. I want a higher fat content for cheesemaking and butter. We have a close friend that did dexters, and had a jersey for milk. The jersey was a little high-strung, but I believe that was because her children (human, children, that is) were not properly monitered and taughter proper animal handling. They would go yelling and screaming and pushing the poor thing around. Near the end of the humans ownership of this poor jersey, she (the jersey, for you all without your morning coffee yet) would head butt you out of her stall, and didn't want to be milked. The nice thing was milk quality, but it was too much for our family, unless we had a lot of beasties to share it with us. But my main concern was the over-breeding of this animal for commercial use. Surely the genetics are messed with, when you breed for such exacting purposes? OK, this is long enough, for now! I'll google a few things, but I'm watching this thread like a hawk! Advice directly from other owners is far better than any university site, in my not so humble opinion!

 

[Omeletta]

Oh, and let me add! We purchased half a dexter for meat. He was a steer, 18months, grass and hay fed, with clean watersource. He was very tough! He was not stressed before slaughter, either. He is the only dexter meat I have had, so can't really say for certain that this is a generallity that can be applied to all of this breed. But just thought I would add. (cooking properly was not the answer, either, as I have experience with other organic, free-range meat that simply melts in your mouth, and falls off the bone!)

 

[pawtraitart]

There isn't a universally agreed upon breed "standard" for highlands like there are for other breeds. The original folks who brought them over didn't set anything. Therefore, in the US you have "show" type animals which are taller and longer, and original "meat-type" animals which are shorter and wider. Then there are "miniatures" which are produced by a breeding program which breeds heifers before they have reached full size. This is frowned upon by purists. We did alot of research so know from genetics what the "correct" highland standards should be, but there is alot of disagreement on the subject because highlands are sometimes judged by angus folks at the shows so what you might think of as a good example of the breed based on show judging might not be the case. THAT said....a highland is going to be a stouter, wider animal compared to a dexter unless you buy a "show" animal and then who knows. Highlands usually weigh a bit more because of their bulk.

As for meat, make sure that whatever type of animal you use, you age it for the right amount of time. Alot of good beef is ruined by improper processing.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

The Highlanders I have seen are usually about the same height as Jersey..of course a lot heavier and longer.

I really should get a couple. My property is covered in alders and brush,

they would thrive here.

 

[Omeletta]

The dexter we did up for meat was aged for 14 days, is that the right amount of time?

 

[nccatnip]

I am finding this thread most interesting. I have been researching cattle and thought the Dexter was the right way to go. Interesting to find you had difficulties with containment as many of the sites I looked out touted the Dexter as being extremely "Fence friendly".
I questioned the lowland because of the coat and hot summers here in NC. Any other breeds I should take a look at? Of course, I am in angus country but thought smaller cattle might be better for a woman to handle.
All thoughts and suggestions welcome.