May be getting a Highland: Question ( GOT THEM!!!!) pic INCLUDED

[GLENMAR]

The cow has never been bred. She is 7 yrs old. Would it be difficult to breed her at this age?? I have read that this is a slow maturing breed.

 

[WildRoseBeef]

Not breed her, no, but I'd be a little more worried when it's time for her to calve out. Her bones won't be as, well, flexible as if she were bred 6 years earlier, making the whole calving process likely a little more difficult for her as a mature animal than if she were still growing.

 

[GLENMAR]

Would you take a chance and breed her if she were in your herd?

They are supposed to be a breed that does not have a difficult time calving.

 

[Mike Fronczak]

I can't comment on the age thing. We do raise Highlands though have for just over a year, ours have been easy to work with, we had three calve last spring of the three only one calf had issue, I don't know where the issue lay he is fine now but we had to tube feed electrolyte & bottle feed him for a while he still gets grain once a day the rest are on hay/pasture.

 

[GLENMAR]

Thanks. I am so excited.

 

[WildRoseBeef]

Would you take a chance and breed her if she were in your herd?

They are supposed to be a breed that does not have a difficult time calving.

Considering her breed compared to others, possibly yes. But I'd make darn sure she'd get bred to a low birth-weight bull.

 

[GLENMAR]

Would you take a chance and breed her if she were in your herd?

They are supposed to be a breed that does not have a difficult time calving.

Considering her breed compared to others, possibly yes. But I'd make darn sure she'd get bred to a low birth-weight bull.

That's what I was thinking. I have a lot of reading up to do on cattle now.

 

[Hillsvale]

highlands can be as old as 3 years before they come into their first heat however 7 is quite old before being bred the first time... I would wonder why the prior owners kept a heifer around 7 years without the benefit of a calf or a meal...

 

[GLENMAR]

They were pets on a historic farm.

 

[Hillsvale]

Thats a nice thing. I would proceed carefully with the low birth weight bull as suggested and make sure you have a vet on call who handles live stock.