[d.iainm]

Looking at getting a couple of highland cows next year they were on my croft many years ago and would like to see them back. I also feel that they would be better suited to grazing the heather hills in the summer. Just wondering what the average price would be for an in calf heifer or cow. would also like people's views on highland cattle being DE horned. I think that AI would be the best option for the cows as there are no other cows near me anyone have any info on this. thanks for any help.

[stooriefit]

Please don't even think about de-horning Highlanders,
 it's like pulling the wings off butterflys, If the horns make you nervous
get a polled breed. But you'll find that you get used to the horns very quickly
and a well handled animal will avoid you with her horns anyway.
Jock McCracken

[shetlandpaul]

it would be a shame to dehorn them.

[ukag0972]

Costs of in calf cows vary from Market to Market and week to week! Right place at the right time, springs to mind!
We bought some in Stirling 3 months ago, in calf and only paid about £400 each!

Please don't de horn!!

[d.iainm]

thanks for your comments i am reluctant to de horn highlands was just wondering if there were any folds out there that were de horned. My only reason to have them de horned would be because i work away alot and my fiancee would be looking after them. I want a breed that will out winter fine without too much need for feed.

were the cows in calf to a highland bull. that sounds like a very good deal i was thinking more like double that price.

again thanks for your comments

[ukag0972]

Yip, pedigree cows in calf to pedigree highland bull! Good deal, I thought!

[d.iainm]

il need to keep my fingers crossed and hope i can get as good a deal once im ready to get my own. fencing and things to do first though

[stooriefit]

If you think the horns would be a problem then you might consider Galloways.
They are every bit as hardy as Highlanders and are naturally polled
All the very best with your cattle whatever you decide
Jock McCracken

[Rosemary]

Belted Galloways are stunning and great meat, I believe

[Leri]

Hi. Ages after the event I know. Just wondered how you got on? Did you get the highlands - I really hope you didn't dehorn - I hope you have found by now that your fiance had nothing to be afraid of :-)
I love our highlanders :-) We have five females now, two cows and three heifers and a little bull calf who will be our first beef.
We take ours to Cheshire to a bull there - not attempted AI :-/ - did you?
We are planning on showing our heifers for the second time this summer. Love the interest they get at the shows.
Hope to hear how you got on x

[The Chicken Lady]

Where in Cheshire did you take yours to. I have some highlanders that I am looking to put in calf this year. I live near Macclesfield in Cheshire.

[SallyintNorth]

Belted Galloways are stunning and great meat, I believe

All Galloways are stunning and great meat, I think!

I sometimes worry that the emphasis on the white belt - which is just a colour variation, after all - will result in inbreeding and/or losing all the other lovely variations of this delightful breed.  The usual colour is all black, they also come in red, belted red, several shades of dun, white, white with black points, brindle and there's one strain is black with a white stripe running down its back.

The traditional cross around here is Whitebred Shorthorn bull on Galloway cow to produce the Blue Grey - she gets her hardiness and thriftiness from her mum and milkiness and gentleness from her dad.  We have a few Blue Grey sucklers and they need hardly any input to rear a good stocky (but hairy!) beef calf each year.  Our local butcher (who specialises in traditional beef) says he gets asked for Blue Grey beef even more than he does Galloway.

(Oops, I got carried away ... sorry!) 

[Rosemary]

The Whitebred Shorthorn is very endangered so happy for you to get carried away and promote this very rare, traditional breed

[Leri]

Hi Chicken lady :-) have pm#d you back. It's near Mickle Trafford? Oak fold. x