The Poll Highland Cattle Society was founded in 2015.
Poll Highlands have all the characteristics of horned Highlands but without horns. They 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 the Highlands, which have a high annual rainfall and very strong winds. Highland cattle are great foragers and are known for their great temperament and shed their coat in summer.
Demand for Poll Highlands has lately gone into overdrive. The demand has definitely surpassed supply, especially for heifers. The society has received much interest since the beginning in 2015 with more and 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.
On top of all that demand, breeders are also expanding into miniature Highlands. Anything under one metre to the top of the hip bone is classed as ‘miniature’. Registration and guidance is given for people with horned Highlands that wish to breed their way to Poll.
Come and see the Highlands at the Cattle Pavilion at the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo, from Friday, April 16, to Sunday, April 18, from 9am to 4pm.
As a promotion, at the Seymour expo, there will be no joining fee and the membership is pro rata. So, come and have a chat to us, we love talking about cows.
