OUR FARM

Highland cattle first took over our life in 1996. When we decided to start breeding, it was a simple choice as to the breed of cattle. With our Scottish heritage, and the breed being well known for low maintenance and meat quality, there was really no choice.

Over the years, through careful selection, we aim to put together the finest fullblood fold of Highland cattle in Australia. This all started with building up numbers slowly by purchasing fullblood, foundation females from selected folds around the country. Our initial criteria of structural soundness and breed character gave us an excellent stepping stone into the breed. Since then we have used a lot of AI (see 'Use of AI' article) and more recently ET (see 'Use of ET' article). We believe that this has allowed us to use some of the best genetics throughout the world and still maintain genetic diversity. (Our goals in breeding.) 

Our property is 60 hectares (150 acres) of grazing land which we purchased in 2001. (Where are we?) With a modest average annual rainfall of 550mm (22 inches) we soon knew that we had to be more efficient with our pastures and not long after began to utilise cell grazing with a New Zealand system of mobile fences and mobile water troughs. This has allowed better utilisation of pastures, improving stocking rates, as well as encouraging perennial grasses and improving weed control. 

Our capacity is around 20-25 breeding females with a total of 50-60 animals. This certainly means we are well understocked through spring but allows us to cope better through the tough times without as much reliance  on fodder. 

 

Current JD (Johne's Disease) Status

In 2003 we undertook the necessary blood testing and management protocols to allow us to be JD accredited. This allows our cattle to be taken into SA, NSW and Queensland. Our current Cattle MAP JD status is MN3.