Welcome to Tennessee Highland Cattle!!

On our farm, we've been raising these fantastic creatures for more than 20 years.

Scottish Highland Cattle are one of the oldest breeds of cattle in existence.

They have long horns and long wavy coats that may be blonde, black, brindle, red, white, or dun, and they are raised primarily for their exceptional meat.

The breed originated in the Highlands of Scotland and was first mentioned in the 6th century AD. However, they are now raised in many countries.

They are a hardy breed due to their native/original environment. If maintained without crossbreeding (as ours are) vet calls for anything other than a physical injury or illness are rarely necessary. In over 20 years we have never had to "pull" a calf, or treat our animals for any sort of severe illness (other than a single heifer that contracted a severe case of pink eye six or seven years ago -- and who is now a 1,500 pound favored pet named Susie.

Naturally raised, they are a slow growing breed and their calves are exceptionally small -- typically between 20 to 40 pounds. -- making the birth process, even for a young heifer -- quick, relatively easy, and trouble free. We have never found a mother in distress. Sometimes birth is so quick and easy that mom may take a few minutes to know that she has a baby to clean.

Their long hair is actually a double coat -- something like that of a German Shepard Dog or Husky. The length and thickness of the coat of adult animals varies with the seasons, and allows Scottish highland cattle to overwinter anywhere -- from the warmest climates to the coldest -- without the need to rely on a thick layer of subcutaneous fat. Calves are born with plenty of hair to allow them to survive easily -- even if born on a cold, wet, windy, day.

Bulls can weigh up to 1,800 pounds and cows up to about 1,200 pounds. Though our mature bulls tend to be about 1,400 pounds, and our mature cows usually average about 1,100 pounds.

Animals that we butcher typically are between 500 and 1,000 lbs. Because they have less body fat, we typically see more usable meat from a given animal -- usually about 60% of their slaughter weight.

Highlander milk has a very high butterfat content, and their meat, which is considered world over of the highest quality, is significantly lower in cholesterol than other varieties of beef -- particularly if the animals are grass fed and grass finished. All of our cattle are grass fed -- but we can arrange for grain finishing if a customer so desires.

Our cattle are primarily raised for beef, so while they are 100% pure bred Highland Cattle, the cost of production is not affected by high registration fees or the cost of showing cattle.

	A few babies on a hill playing -- various ages from 1-2 months

We frequently sell young bulls to producers of cattle with very large birth weights (such as Angus) -- for cross breeding with young heifers. The resulting calf is typically small -- making the young heifer's first baby probably the easiest one she will ever have!

Because Highlanders are very attractive and quite docile (in spite of the fact that they have big horns) we also sell animals who sit on farms, eat grass, and look pretty (while making meat for their owner).

In fact, we have so many people stopping and taking pictures of our Highlanders browsing in our front field -- or just looking at them -- that some days you would think our farm is a public attraction!

	I'm Pretty New Here -- Where's the Food?