Catrin and Rose are two very attractive Poll Highland cows.
The Poll Highland Cattle Society was created in 2015 by a small group of people who loved the horned Highland breed, but saw a need for hornless Highlands for more safety with handling for owners, vets and in saleyards.
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The hornless breed has made these amazing animals more accessible to many more people.
The society registers poll, horned and miniature highlands.
The Poll Highland breed has all the characteristics of Horned Highlands but without horns.
All Highlands have an unusual double coat of hair.
On the outside is the oily outer hair — the longest of any cattle breed, covering a downy undercoat.
This makes them well suited to conditions in cold climates which have a high annual rainfall and forceful winds.
Highland cattle are great foragers, are known for their great temperament and shed their coat in summer, making them great in all climates.
Demand for Poll Highlands has lately gone into overdrive.
The demand sometimes surpasses supply, especially for heifers.
The society has received much interest since the beginning in 2015 with more people wanting to get involved in the hornless breed.
Members and breeders include generational farmers and hobby farmers.
Most animals are now sold as pets or for breeding, however some farmers and beef connoisseurs highly regard Highland beef.
Highlands are not a huge breed in comparison to other larger breeds, but certainly meet targets with the beef market, producing lean meat and good weight for size ratio.
The use of a double poll bull will produce poll offspring, even with a horned highland.
So, anyone wanting to change from horned to poll can achieve this by adding a poll bull to their fold or can breed up from any breed as long as they use a registered pure bull.
It takes four crosses to produce pure.
Poll Highland Society members have the choice of breeding horned, poll or miniatures.
Miniatures are below 106cm, or there is a mid-size up to 121.9cm.
Anything above this size is considered a standard size.
Hopefully, we will see you at the show, or contact us for our registered breeders’ list.
For more information, email the society on info@pollhighland.com.au, phone 0493 236 320 or visit: pollhighland.com.au
If you join during the expo the joining fee is abolished leaving you with just the yearly fee of membership $125.
Demand for Poll Highland cows like Rose has “gone into overdrive”.
