Highland cattle were developed in Scotland and are known to be very
hardy. So, of course, they’re perfect
for Maine. Highland
cattle can deal with torrential rain, very strong winds, and terribly cold
winters. Their long hair gives them
protection from the elements, and when other cattle would beg to be housed, for
Highland cattle it’s just another day. They’re very skilled at looking for food in
mountainous and hilly areas and will eat many plants that other cattle avoid. Because of this Highland cattle can produce beef on land that
would be considered inhospitable and incapable of rendering a profit
agriculturally.
But aren’t they beautiful?
Snow has no effect on them, except to make them even more
beautiful. I love when a gentle snow
starts to fall on them. They just
continue to peacefully graze or search for hay.
Their double layer of hair means they don’t need an outer layer of fat
to keep them warm, so they don’t need much shelter, many supplements, or
expensive grains to keep them fed and happy.
They’re happy on any old pasture or hill, and that’s what makes me love
them so much. To me, even though they
were developed in Scotland,
the Highland cattle are the quintessential Maine cattle: strong, happy, resilient, and
independent--just like any Mainer would be!
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| Highland cattle at home in Maine. |
(Commercially, Highland
cattle yield a tender meat but it’s of a different “character” from what people
are used to. Therefore, a Highland cow
is often bred with another kind of bull so that she will produce a calf with
tender meat like hers but on a carcass of “higher commercial value and appeal,”
and she’ll do this all on land other cows can’t graze on. Leave it to mankind to take advantage of the
thriftiness of this breed.)
