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.