We began our fold of Highlands in the fall of 2023, doubling it again in the spring of 2024.
In these fresh early years, we are actively working on developing a management program that works best for us, our cattle, and our land.
We are proud members of the Canadian Highland Cattle Society, and register all of our purebred breeding stock with the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation.
We will have 2 weaned purebred heifer calves available for sale in spring/summer of 2025.
We are shaping up our young herd to calf in the warm spring/summer weather and fresh pasture. We will carry our cow-calf pairs through the winter each year, and wean in the spring.
Annual calf sales will be held each spring, with available calves announced during the preceeding winter.
Our beef is normally finished on fresh grass pasture with a supplement of certified organic grains.
All beef in 2025 will be grain-finished, with grass-finished options available for 2026.
During the spring, summer, and fall our cattle are raised on the grass and legumes of fresh pasture through intensively managed rotational grazing, with hay and silage being provided throughout the winter. Liquid molasses mineral supplement is provided daily to ensure a well-rounded healthy diet.
1. EXCELLENT FORAGERS: Highland cattle are hardy and adaptable grazers, and are known for being self sufficient. These are assets in our challenging terrain and cold climate. We are actively working to improve the forage quality throughout our pastures using rotational grazing and regenerative practices. However, with our steep silvo-pastures being challenging to maneuver, it is a slow-going arduous process. So our cattle need to be able to efficiently convert even the less-palatable forage in the hard to reach places into quality flavourful beef - as they do.
2. MOUTH-WATERING BEEF: Grass-fed, pasture-raised Highland cattle produce very high quality, healthy beef that is:
All while maintaining excellent marbling, tenderness and flavour!
3. EVEN-TEMPERED: Highland cattle are a slightly smaller breed, known for being docile and calm. While it is important to remember they are still horned bovine capable of many things, every step we can take in the direction of safety is appreciated on our family run ranch. Safety in working with our cattle is paramount, and we strive for the infrastructure and management practices appropriate to allow for the safest working conditions possible. However, the amicable nature of our cattle and the forgiveness that can afford in unforeseen circumstances is greatly appreciated.
4. MOUNTAIN MAMAS: Highland cows are known to calf easily and have naturally strong mothering instincts, being unassisted more than 90% of the time, and producing high fat milk for their calves. We pair those qualities with a late spring early summer calving season in fresh pasture grass to set ourselves and our herd up for success as much as possible. While they may be well-mannered with us, they do have grit and courage when the moment demands it. Cows in our own herd have been witnessed chasing off a mountain lion. Tough horned cows and respectful livestock guardian dogs make for well-protected calves.
Shuswap's Mildred "Millie" is a stout and hardy dun coloured heifer calf born August 6, 2024. She was born healthy and unassisted, however her dam was a mature heifer and was the first to calf in 2024 amongst a herd of heifers. She initially showed good mothering instincts, but was pushed off of her calf by another unsure mature heifer, and eventually rejected her calf altogether. We bottle fed Millie as a result. She has always been very strong and vibrant.
Will be weaned and available for purchase Spring of 2025.
Dam: Haze of Tatlayoko (17966)
Sire: Killian of Moffat (18798)
Shuswap's Moriah is a beautiful red heifer calf born October 21, 2024. She was born healthy and unassisted. Her dam has incredible mothering instincts and great udders and teets, requiring no intervention at all. Moriah has been strong and vibrant, gaining well.
She will be registered and updates will be provided leading up to weaning and sale time in summer of 2025.
Dam: Honeychild of Tatlayoko (17965)
Sire: Killian of Moffat (18798)
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Shuswap Highland Ranch
1590 Yankee Flats Road, Salmon Arm, British Columbia V1E 3J4, Canada
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