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Day old Highland calf
Winter feeding
Stock bull - Domhnull 2nd of Gartchonzie
Our
Highland Cattle
We have been breeding pedigree
Highland Cattle as the "Torrie Fold" near Callander, (not far
from Stirling) for many years, and eventually started selling the beef under our
Barkers Highland Beef label.
We like Highland Cattle for their easy-going temperament, hardiness and longevity. Of course we greatly admire their looks, and the fact that they produce the best beef our customers say they have ever had the good fortune to enjoy! I have to admit we personally very much like eating Highland beef too - if there's any left!
Most of the females we breed are either kept as replacement stock or sold to other breeders. The males are castrated and reared for beef - only the occasional male calf is kept to be reared as a breeding if we think he is good enough.
For Sale We usually have good quality young stock for sale. Being quiet and well handled they are also ideal for someone new to the breed. All of our breeding stock is fully pedigreed and registered with The Highland Cattle Society. Visitors are very welcome by prior arrangement.
Ancient
Origins The
breed's exact origins are unknown but
probably date back to Celtic times. Living in the harsh environment of the
Scottish Highlands and Western Isles, these cattle evolved into one of the
hardiest breeds in the world today. The winter coat is thick and
double layered - a soft shorter woolly underlayer for insulation, and a
smooth longer outer coat, to shed the rain.
Temperament
Highland Cattle are great
individuals and pretty smart - they have had to be to survive the
rigours of harsh environments over the centuries. Yet they are placid,
and if properly handled when young, are a great pleasure to live with -
which was no doubt
very important to the crofters of old.
An
enduring appeal
Highland Cattle have a broad
based appeal and breeders fall into all categories from the
person with a few acres and room for a couple of animals, to part-time
farmers with their main occupation off-farm and full time commercial
farmers.
Unlike most types of modern commercial cattle which have been 'improved' to increase speed of growth and size, Highland Cattle have changed very little over the years; they have kept their natural and valuable attributes - easy calving, excellent mothering and survival instincts, long lived and active.
Besides producing some of the best beef you are ever likely to taste, Highland Cattle are also used for habitat conservation and management from lowland wetlands to uplands and heather moorland regeneration, as their grazing habits can benefit wildlife and biodiversity.
The breed's appeal is international and timeless- as proved by the present worldwide distribution of Highland Cattle, all with their ancient origins in Scotland
Most western European countries and English speaking continents now have their own Highland Cattle Societies (traceable on the web).
Highland
beef - simply the best
Black & white
Winter feeding for the youngsters
Prime Highland bullocks
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