[Spana]

This is my beautiful Gracie and her calf Heather with Jeanie in the background :happy:



 Yella Girl, she is sooooo pretty  :happy:



OH moving the Highlands onto fresh grazing. It was Easter this year but it looks very wintery with the mist 



Two of our South Devons, the largest native breed



We let some summer grazing to a friend.  When he takes them home early November time we walk them the two miles along the lanes back to his farm.  :happy: The old ladies know the way but the calves are real tired by the time they get there

[sunshineband]

Those highlands have got such character haven't they?

Lovely photos Spana.. thank you 

[Yorkie]

Beautiful 

[mumofstig]

I just love Heather's blond streaks 

[Spana]

I just love Heather's blond streaks 

 

The Highland calves often have bleached fringes.  They all look as if they're wearing syrups

[Aunt Sally]

Lovely girls Spana - How many could I keep on my allotment   

[John]

That's so evocative - (walking them up the lane) and they're beautiful beasts.

It's nice to know that all farming isn't massive machines and forward commodity market placements.

[joyfull]

they are so nice and yes the walking them down the country lanes does seem like a scene from the 50's 

[Vit]

Spana, that's ******* awesome  Do you do milking? If so, how do you process milk?

they are so nice and yes the walking them down the country lanes does seem like a scene from the 50's 

No, it's just simple life

[joyfull]

it a simple way of life which sadly is long gone in may parts of the country. here in Lincolnshire we are battling the opening of the giant pig and cattle farms where the animals never see the fields let alone a country lane 

[sion01]

Here are some questions I always wanted to ask somebody who kept Highlands

1 At what age do you put them to the bull
2At what age are they slaughtered(sorry but have to be realistic)
3How much does a carcass weigh(local slaughter house peanelises carcasses of less then 250 kg)
4Do they need supplimentary feeding to fatten or will they get there on grass.

I fancy getting some next year but think selling them might be a problem round here so might go for Welsh Black or Beef Shorthorn insted

[John]

Welsh Blacks meat certainly fetches a (very justified) premium around here.

[milkmaid]

lovely to see the pics thank you

[tosca100]

Always look forward to pics of your cattle Spana. Lovely.

[Spana]

1 At what age do you put them to the bull
2At what age are they slaughtered(sorry but have to be realistic)
3How much does a carcass weigh(local slaughter house peanelises carcasses of less then 250 kg)
4Do they need supplimentary feeding to fatten or will they get there on grass.

So sorry sion01, just come back to this thread and seen your question, was away on holiday when you posted it.

So to answer  your questions,this is how we do it,

1.The heifers go in with the bull when they are 3years old.  Some will bull them  earlier but they will never make their full potential .

2.Highland bullocks were traditionally slaughtered at about 4years but then the 30 months rule came in.  Now some abattoirs will do over 30 months cattle again, removing specific risk material.

3. These are some of our Highlands -Phillip and Rooster- hanging in our butchers cold store.



I cant recall the weights but i keep all the tags so will dig them out if you still want to know.

4. They need feeding if you are slaughtering at 30 months.  They'll get there on good grass if you can leave them until they are 4 years old.