THE COMPLETE HIGHLAND COW HANDBOOK

The Complete Highland Cow Handbook is a practical, easy-to-follow guide for anyone raising Highland cattle with confidence, whether you are starting with your first animals or improving an existing herd. Known for their hardiness, calm presence, and iconic coats, Highland cattle can be an excellent fit for small farms and homesteads when you understand their behavior, needs, and daily management.
This handbook explains Highland cattle biology and temperament in plain language, then turns that knowledge into real-world decisions you can use right away. You will learn how to choose healthy stock, set up a safe environment with proper fencing, shelter, and water access, and build routines that support low-stress handling. It also covers feeding basics across seasons, pasture and forage planning, minerals and supplementation, body condition scoring, and common mistakes that lead to poor growth or health issues.
Health care is covered with a prevention-first approach, including sanitation, parasite control, hoof and coat care, recognizing early warning signs, and working effectively with a veterinarian. You will also find guidance on breeding and calving fundamentals, calf care, weaning, record-keeping, and humane herd management practices that support both productivity and animal welfare.
Whether your goal is meat production, breeding stock, conservation grazing, or a resilient family farm herd, The Complete Highland Cow Handbook helps you raise healthy, manageable cattle with fewer surprises and better results.