Everything You Need to Know About Raising Highland Cattle
Highland cattle are the perfect addition to any farm or homestead. With their striking looks, sweet nature, and tough-as-nails resilience, they’re a favorite for anyone looking for livestock with a little extra personality. Here on our 89-acre farm in Calhoun, Kentucky, we’ve raised Highlands with plenty of love, snacks, and neck scratches. We’re proud to share these incredible animals with farms and homesteads all across the United States. If you’re thinking about adding Highlands to your life, here’s everything you need to know about caring for them.
How Much Space Do Highland Cattle Need?
Highland cattle love to graze, roam, and relax, so they need plenty of room to do their thing. We recommend 2-5 acres per cow, depending on how lush your pasture is. The more space they have, the happier and healthier they’ll be. Of course, good fencing is important, too, to keep them safe and where they’re supposed to be.
What Do Highland Cattle Eat?
Highlands are low-maintenance grazers who thrive on grass. When winter rolls around and the grass isn’t growing, we feed them good-quality hay to keep them strong and healthy. They’re also big fans of treats like carrots and cattle snacks, which can make them extra friendly (or a little demanding when they see you coming with a bucket!). Just don’t forget they always need access to fresh, clean water.
Are Highland Cattle Friendly?
Yes! Highlands are known for being gentle and sweet, especially if you take the time to work with them. Treat them kindly, spend time with them, and you’ll have a friend for life. They can even be halter-trained and treat-trained, which makes working with them (or just spoiling them) so much fun.
Frequently Asked Questions About Highland Cattle
1. Can Highland cattle handle extreme weather?
They sure can! Highlands are built for tough climates. Their thick coats keep them cozy in the cold, and their adaptability means they can thrive in most environments.
2. Do Highland cattle need shelter?
Yes. While they’re hardy, they still need a place to get out of the heat, wind, or rain. A simple barn or covered area works great.
3. How long do Highland cattle live?
With proper care, Highlands can live 15-20 years, making them a long-term addition to your farm.
4. Can you raise Highland cattle with other animals?
Absolutely. Highlands are social animals and usually get along well with other livestock as long as they have plenty of space and resources.
5. Do Highland cattle need special medical care?
Not really. Highlands are naturally tough and disease-resistant. Routine vaccinations, deworming, and check-ups are all they need to stay healthy.
Why Highland Cattle Are a Great Choice
Highlands are more than just cattle—they’re like giant, shaggy teddy bears with big personalities. They’re easy to care for, gentle with people, and add a whole lot of charm to your farm or homestead.
If you’re ready to bring home some Highlands, we’re here to help. Our farm in Calhoun, Kentucky, raises and sells Highland cattle to farms all over the United States. Every cow is well-socialized, healthy, and loved before they head off to their new home.
