– Alumni News –
– Farm Visits –
– The Mini Lesson –
– Introducing “Lucy Moo” –
ALUMNI NEWS
Paisley and Hank welcomed a new family member this week.
Fainche will be the first heifer at Cattle Creek Ranch and she will be giving them their first born-on-the-ranch Highland calf in late Oct. or early Nov.
FARM VISITS
Hope this finds you Safe, Healthy, and Enjoying your summer.
We began farm visits by appointment in May. Because both of us are in our 70s and plan to continue to enjoy this life for another 20 years, we are following safe practices here at Elm Hollow Farm.
When in the barns we wear masks to protect you and ask that you wear masks to protect us. In the pastures, ample social distancing is easier to maintain, so we relax that when outside.
Our first three visits were welcome events and a good time was had by all!!
THE MINI LESSON
Remember Hot Stuff and O’ganach from the last two newsletters? They happen to provide evidence for a lesson about mini Highlands.
This is Emma with Hot Stuff. Emma is barely two years old here.
In contrast, Ban Duic was 3.5 years old when O’ganach was born.
Since Highlands mature more slowly than other cattle breeds, sound breeding practices tell us that heifers should not be bred until they are 2.5-3 years old. Breeding them too young can stunt the growth of the dam as well as the calf born as a result of this early breeding.
O’ganach’s mom (at age 3 yrs and 2 months) was in a pasture with a young bull , but she had eyes for an older more experienced bull and jumped the fence. (Things turned out fine though.)
Hot Stuff’s little mother, Emma, endured a teen pregnancy at the age of 18 months without ever revealing who done it. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN HERE! It happened on the farm where she was born.
When the DNA came back, it revealed that Red Road’s Rufus is sire to both these boys, and he is also Emma’s sire.
The effects of the early breeding of Hot Stuff’s mother are quite evident.
At age 3, the normal age for first breeding, she weighs only 560 #. She is very small and those who use the term mini would definitely label her with that term.
Actually, she is stunted in her growth because of this unfortunate early breeding.
O’ganach’s dam, bred the first time at a healthier age, weighs in at the average weight for a healthy, smaller framed, Scottish Highland at 865#.
The same difference can be seen in the calves produced. On the left, Hot Stuff (at 9 months) in this comparison picture, weighs 193#, while his younger brother, O’ganach at 7 months weighs 336#.
INTRODUCING “LUCY MOO”
Here’s Lucy with her new best friend.
Lucy was born here at Elm Hollow Farm, but was raised at Higher Ground Herbs and Homestead in Alabama. She has quite a story that will be featured in the next newsletter! Stay tuned.
Stay safe out there! Wear your mask, wash your hands, don’t touch your face, decontaminate everything you buy before taking it into your home. Unfortunately, this isn’t over yet.
The Best Way To Reach Us…
Landline has returned: 423-272-6609
Nancy’s cell: 912-674-8401
Schuyler’s cell: 423-754-0747
Please use text if you can’t get through. We are so far out that our cell service isn’t as good as red Solo cups and string.