I know Eve is not due until the 7th but she is usually a bit early, and there is a storm coming,” I said. Ray probably was not thrilled with having to trek down into the pasture and halter Eve, but off we went with comb and halter. I often think of ideas, but it is Ray who actually has to do the work to execute them. Eve was led her up to the barn and closed into a pen with fresh straw. It was 6 pm.

On a Cow/Calf farm the most important product—the only product—is our calf. Contrary to a dairy farm, where milk is the product and the calf a necessary by-product, birthing and raising a healthy calf is what we work for all year. Whether that calf will be sold for breeding stock or food, we breed, feed, and care for our momma cow every day to try to ensure she can successfully birth and raise a healthy offspring. The loss of a calf is devastating--emotionally as well as economically.

Did you ever know someone who seemed a bit shy about coming forward to make your acquaintance? Someone who you thought might like to be friends, but they just didn't seem to know how? Someone truly beautiful, who did not even know just how lovely they were? Who, after you made the first move, seemed so grateful for your attention that you were soon fast and everlasting friends?

The Easter Bonny and Little Percy Rabbit hopping over to wish you Happy Spring!

Shat Acres Bonny Maliah and Shat Acres Cinnamon Perseus are all ears, listening for Big Bunny to show up with a basket of treats--or better yet, a comb!

Saying Good-bye to Gentle Giant #45079

Shat Acres Cinnamon Bear 4/10/07-1/1/20

Friend, Champion, Sire of Champions

Behind every great Calf, there is a great Cow.

And sometimes, behind every great Cow, there is a great Vet.

Some of you might remember reading about Shat Acres Brandy Brooklyn and the life-threatening injury she endured. In October 2020 when Brooklyn was a year old, she got tangled in an electrified speed fence.

Here are some of our recent visitors to Highland House Farm Stay. Baby Bonny is always ready and willing to untie boots while getting loved on. Rob and Roy, our four year old twin steers are always ready to delight and amaze guests by gently taking apple and carrot treats from their hands. Rob and Roy weigh a ton each, with horn spans of 65”.

When my cell phone rings, I am usually working at the computer, answering emails, doing bookkeeping, paying bills, or some other sedimentary and unexciting but necessary farm tasks. When Ray asks if I will come to the barn, I never know what I will find. I grudgingly leave what I know I have to do but am always glad that I did. Getting out into the fresh air--no matter how cold or nasty--making the trek up to the barn and being with the Highlands, reminds me why I do what I have to do to keep our farm sustainable.

Have you ever been to Branson, MO?

Ray and I will be flown to Branson as the presenters at the Heartland Highland Cattle Association annual meeting. We are so honored to have been invited and will be speaking to attendees about two important farming topics.

The snow-covered Highlands shows how well their double layer of hair insulates their bodies, keeping them warm and toasty inside. Although it might look like they are cold, the snow does not melt on their bodies because body heat is not being lost. Highlands need this double layer of hair to hold the heat in, with the only area of heat loss the bare skin on their nose. Highlands are unique among bovines, tolerating extreme weather due to this double layer of hair.

Five more 2023 weanling calves came into the barn this week. A question is sometimes asked if it is necessary to wean calves, or will the mommas wean the calves by themselves? For thousands of years Highlands have survived, much of that time without a lot human intervention. During that time the majority of weanings took place naturally--or the breed would not have endured. But not all. When natural weaning was not successful, momma might be weakened by not having a rest period to rebuild her strength before the arrival of a new calf.

Shat Acres Roy got cleaned off this evening with the big hair blower. Yesterday evening it was Rob’s turn with the blow dryer. Rob and Roy are 4-year-old twin steers and big hits with our Farm Stay visitors, gently eating apples from guests’ hands.