"Come up to the barn. And hurry!”

Slipping into my barn Sketchers and dropping everything, I ran as fast as I could from the house, up the hill to the barn.

What do your angels wear?

Our angels last week wore green bib overalls, a long blue dress, and gold sandals.

At around 6:30 am, July 22, 2026, Ray looked at the monitor conveying the camera feed from the barn. Leaving half-eaten toast on the table, he declared, “I’m headed to the barn. I’m going to check on Tabitha.”

Tabitha is a first-calf, red-roan, pure Shorthorn heifer. I did not have a due date for her calving (my bad) but we could tell she was getting closer by her enlarging udder and swollen private parts. When Ray arrived at the barn Tabitha had conveniently taken herself into one of the pens in the barn. Ray closed the gate and observation time began.

Have you ever wanted to comb or cuddle a Highland cow or calf? Have a picnic lunch while looking out at one of the most beautiful Vermont vistas? Learn more about regenerative agriculture and humane animal care?

All year long Highland House Farm Stay and Farm Tour guests have the opportunity to interact with our Shat Acres cattle, the oldest registered fold of Highland Cattle in the US. On August 9, 2026 we are opening our farm to the public as part of Vermont Open Farm Week!

After a year hiatus in 2025 when Vermont did not offer Open Farm Week, in 2026 NOFA (Northeast Organic Farm Organization) has taken the lead to encourage farms throughout the State to show what they do and help the public learn more about the many, many different kinds of farm production Vermont is blessed to have.

Sharing a memory from this day nine years ago, of the profound visit to Shat Acres Highland Cattle by the one and only Temple Grandin. This was our third time meeting Temple Grandin, but the first time on our home turf with her viewing our Highland cows, calves, and bull.

Dr. Temple Grandin is a professor of Animal Science in Colorado; a scientist, inventor and autism activist who has revolutionized humane animal handling to reduce stress in animals and humans. She has written extensively about autism and animal behavior and credits her success and accomplishments with humane animal handling to being able to think like an animal and decode animal behaviors.

Shat Acres Sara ‘09, DOB 4-25-2009, Reg. #48716

On the American Highland Association's registry, it lists Sara's progeny as "None."

Sara, at age 17, is currently our oldest Highland. Why would anyone keep a cow for seventeen years, listing her as never having had a calf?

You might wonder if we are truly addled.

Not soooo fast! Remember that every Highland has a story? Shat Acres Sara is no exception. Sara was born on April 25, 2009, on Ray’s home farm in Greensboro Bend, Vt. Her dam was Shat Acres Sally 2, who lived to be 22 years old. We always called Sara’s dam, Little Sally. She was one of those enigma’s who was not a large Highland herself, but all of her offspring were big-framed cows and bulls with superb conformation. Sara was no exception.

Sara’s sire was Lance of Gordon’s Fold. Lance’s genetics were chock full of historic, heritage Scottish ancestors. Lance was our herd sire for many years and largely responsible for our fold’s long, straight top line, which Shat Acres Highlands are still known for. Lance was definitely Ray’s dad Carroll’s, favorite bull. When Carroll died at age ninety eight and a half, he wanted his ashes scattered atop the spot on the Greensboro farm where Lance had been buried several years prior.

Happy 4th from Shat Acres Highland Cattle and the Capital City Farmers' Market Montpelier Vermont!

Thank you to all of our Greenfield Highland Beef customers for stopping by to say "Hi" or purchase our 100% Grass Fed and Finished beef.

May all find time to be with family or friends on this special day. Always remember the dreams our Founding Fathers had for America, and never lose hope for the future of our great country.

And yes, Ray consented to wearing Red, White and Blue PomPoms the entire Market!

If Ray looks tired, it could be because yesterday seventeen-year-old Shat Acres Sara '09, blessed us with a beautiful heifer calf. However, before bestowing us with that gift she accidently broke Ray's rib while he was putting her in the barn for calving. Ray says the good part about that was that while breaking his rib, she did not break her horn.

More to come about that story. Watch this space!

“Bennett is lolling. I don’t like the way he is breathing. We need to check his temperature.”

Baby Highlands, like human newborns, have difficulty regulating body temperature. Highlands are born with a heavy coat to protect them from the elements, which can unfortunately be challenging for calves born during warm weather. Highlands have little mechanisms to dissipate heat. The long horns on adult cattle can help regulate internal temperatures as the horns are a living organ filled with flesh and blood. And their large noses, bare from hair, can help. But baby Highlands are more vulnerable to extreme heat.

Baby Bennett is three weeks old. Momma Shat Acres Brandy Brooklyn is doing a wonderful job raising him but there is little she can do to protect her newbie from several days straight of 90 degree temps except keep him hydrated.

Proud to have Shat Acres Highland Cattle, Greenfield Highland Beef, Highland House Farm Stay, and our home totally powered by clean, renewable, SOLAR POWER!

It was a big project and big investment, but we believe in paying it forward for our farm, climate change, the environment, and for generations to come.

A big shout out to Catamount Solar of Randolph, VT for a job well done!

70.5”

Visitors and guests often ask if Highland horns fall off or keep growing. This leads into one of my teacher diatribes about the difference between antlers and horns, of which there are several. I won’t bore you with all the details but will address that oft asked question.

Highland horns do not fall off but keep growing as long as the cow, bull or steer is alive. Rob and Roy are seven year old steers. Last fall Roy’s horns were 68” tip to tip. Today that span was 2.5” longer, now nearly 6’ across. Rob's horns are just a tad shorter, but both boys' horns are still growing. Next measurement will be in the fall when they return home.

WARNING!

Be prepared. This post might be a bit dirty.

Are you familiar with the phrase,”Shooting the Sh-t?” Growing up on Long Island that saying was a never have I ever.

That was then. This is now.

Who would have thought that composted cow poop flying helter skelter from the back of a rattling, live bed contraption, being pulled by a 1998 John Deere tractor landing in pastures and hayfields would be so rewarding?

So very proud to have our Shat Acres farm and myself featured by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture in their recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and growing up on Long Island, NY, I would never have imagined myself as a Highland cattle farmer. And now, in my second career after being an educator for thirty years, I cannot imagine myself doing anything else.

All you amazing Woman Farmers out there...check to see what your State is doing to recognize the International Year of the Woman Farmer! And kudos to all the other amazing Woman Farmers in Vermont!

Sometimes one comes along who just steals your heart. Ten day old Shat Acres Ezra is one of those.

Ezra will be monitored as he matures for breeding stock quality traits, but he already excels in one thing: docility. Docility is part genetics and part care and husbandry.

Although his playfulness is super cute and endearing right now, as he gets older, Ezra will need be taught to respect personal space. It is important for all Highland breeding stock to learn that even though they will eventually be larger than their caregivers, humans are not only to be trusted and loved but must be the dominant animal. Shat Acres has been breeding for docility for over half a century, and Ray has been working his cow-whisperer magic with all breeding stock we sell every step of the way. Rest assured that little Ezra will receive both love and guidance as needed.

And what did the Birthday Boy do on his special day?

Ray fence-trained ten-day old Shat Acres Virgil with momma Shat Acres Verbena helping. (not)

Helped socialize week-old Shat Acres Ezra with momma Shat Acres Eve watching while chowing down on hay. Some Highland mommas are very protective, some are more chill.

Pushed the winter's accumulated manure, hay, and compost into piles to spread on pastures and hayfields.

Picked up stones and sticks from paddocks and winter-feeding areas, to improve our fields. Ray says every stone makes one less mouthful of grass.

Pulled drag harrows round and round behind the tractor to smooth ruts and rough ground, now that the mud is finally drying out.

Look who made the front page of the Times Argus newspaper today!

Meet Shat Acres Chloe, aka Baby Blue Eyes.

Chloe’s dam, Shat Acres Caylea, is unique with her blue eyes. In our sixty years of breeding and raising Highland cattle we have had just a few cows with blue eyes. Caylea is descended from one of those. Caylea is our only blue-eyed momma left at this time. Caylea passes this remarkable trait onto her offspring.

“Zora needs to come up to the barn. She’s off by herself down in the field. Get the rope!”

With no due date for Shat Acres Zora to calve, as our bull had been clandestine about sharing his amour, we had been watching Zora closely for signs of an eminent arrival.

Using our ‘rope trick’ Ray and I each took an end of our 50’ rope, and walking slowly and methodically behind Zora, brought her up to the barn and into the clean straw-filled pen. Our rope trick allows just the two of us (having no employees or farmhands) to move cattle easily and avoid stress for cattle and humans.

When we got her into the barn, Zora was discharging thick mucus and had an enlarged udder. We did not know exactly how long it would be before calving, but with the cold, rain, and muddy Spring reluctant to arrive, we did not want to be scouring the field day or night looking for a chilled, wet newborn.

We had made the right choice, as within an hour Zora produced a water sac. Mature cows should complete birthing their calf 1/2 to 3/4 hour after the water sac appears. For first calf heifers the time can be 3/4 hour to just over an hour.

I checked the time that the water sac had appeared.

I know exactly what that means. And although that has not happened yet this spring, I do know that TODAY'S THE DAY.

With Shat Acres CinnamonEve due with our first 2026 calf on March 27th (my birthday) it was high time to check and refurbish our CALVING TOOLBOX.

After decades of “Where are the chains?” “I need OB lube now” “Quick, get the BoSe (Vitamin E & Selenium) ready” “Do we have any iodine” I had the epiphany to prepare a toolbox that has everything ready, handy, and easy to transport from house to barn without a moment's delay.

The Calving Toolbox has been a lifesaver, literally, many times over. Each item is labeled and in an individual zip-lock bag. The zip-lock bag is so that if anything leaks it does not soil or contaminate any other critical calving items. Not all calvings require all items in the toolbox, but all calvings require some of the items. And when we need them, they are just a phone call, and a rushed hop-skip and jump from house to barn.

The year: 2005. The place: Sheridan, Wyoming. The event: The International Gathering of Highland Cattle.

Highland cattle breeders from around the world gathered to share camaraderie, attend educational workshops, and visit farms and ranches of local Highland breeders.

It was at this gathering that a gentleman approached Ray, saying "I know you." He had a strong accent, and neither Ray nor I recognized him. "Just a minute," he said. "I'll be right back." Rushing to the elevator, he rode it up to his hotel room, and returned to the lobby, waving a paper in his hand.

Love comes in many forms. One is sharing what we have with those in need. Not having enough to eat is a gnawing need that farmers who prduce food can help satisfy.

For over a decade we have been donating our 100% Grass Fed and Finished Highland and Highland/ShorthornX Beef to GLEAN. Otherwise known as Community Harvest of Vermont, GLEAN insures that every pound of meet we donate goes to those most in need.

GLEAN is a class act. At the helm is Allison Levin, who not only insures our donation is distributed to local Food Pantries, Meals on Wheels, Senior Centers, Child Care Centers and others in need, but sends out Thank You notes from recipients and a printout of exactly where each item was donated to.

Don’t you love getting your hair done before traveling?

Shat Acres Cinnabear Wallace (t) wanted to look his best with one last blow-out before leaving for Wisconsin. Which hairdo do you like best?

With a final combing and a kiss goodbye before swapping trailers, Wally was on his way. Shout out to Victor Ash of Almost Home Transport for his TLC of all Shat Acres Highlands he has delivered to their new homes.

It is true that Highlands are well adapted to the extremely cold temperatures we have experienced in Vermont this winter. Their double coat of hair usually insulates the cattle well despite temperatures falling to double digits below zero, with wind chill temperatures considerably lower.

Keeping our Highland cattle’s hair fluffed up helps the down undercoat do its best work. We worry most about calves and younger animals getting chilled. Just like human babies, their ability to regulate body temperature is not yet fully mature. Ray uses our big hair blower to remove any ice that might have built up on the outer coat, as well as any moisture that may have permeated the lower down coat proximal to the skin.

What would you think if you drove into your driveway at night and these two boys, weighing over a ton each, were standing 10’ from where you exited your car?

Here’s what we think.

How lucky are we to have twins Rob and Roy gracing our presence every day and every night with their prehistoric-looking gentle-giant majesty.