The breed is characterized by traits of hardiness, self-sufficiency and longevity. Excellent and efficient foragers, they help to improve pastures and clear wooded areas. Their moderate frame is ideal for small and large farms alike in various climates and regions of the country.   These cattle are designed to withstand adverse weather conditions.  Their long hair is actually an unusual double coat of hair- on the outside is the oily outer hair, the longest of any cattle breed, and it is covering a downy undercoat. The hair gets shorter in Summer and is not as long when they are bred in warmer climates.
  The Highland’s conformation is built for survival and for beef. They are long bodied and stocky which produces a surprisingly large amount of beef for animals that may look low to the ground.
  The bulls can way up to a whopping 800kg, and the cows up to 500kg. This means less to trim from carcasses and more value retained.
   The horns not only give them their majestic looks but are helpful with predator control and thermo regulation.
  They are known for being a very docile animal, never showing any aggression and are very low stress to keep and manage. Within their herds they have a great understanding of their own social hierarchy and never fight.
   Highlands are slow growing and slow to mature. Heifers are generally not bred until their second year. They are long lived and fertile and continue producing a calf a year until she is well into her teens. These cattle have strong maternal instincts to protect their young. Generally giving birth to small calves, averaging 50-75 lbs, the calves grow very quickly because moms milk has an extremely high butterfat content, up to 10%.