Our Texas Highland Cattle were part of the Texas Highland Cattle Ranch up until 2024. They have moved to Sugarland, Texas and we are out of the Highland Cattle business. But we sure do love these memories.
Mimi and Mercy are both High Park cattle: a highland crossed with a British White.
We had our ranch in Justin, Texas until 2024 when Covid, Divorce and a move to the Emerald coast made it impossible to keep them. We had our cattle for a time living in Sequoya County in Oklahoma and they are now in Sugarland, Texas on an exotic animal ranch living a great life.
Highland cattle are one of the oldest breeds in the world, originating from Scotland as far back as the 6th century. The extremely harsh conditions of the rugged, remote Scottish Highlands created a process of natural selection, where only the fittest and most adaptable animals survived to carry on the breed. The collective name for a group of Highland cattle is known as a ‘fold’ – named after the open shelters they can be kept in over winter.
Highland calves are born weighing on average 45 pounds. They are furry little creatures and popular for their small size and easy going nature. We keep them as pets and do not kill any of our animals, including our cows!! We plan to get a few milkers as well. Our cows are primarily our lawn cutting service and we love them like we love our cats. We are an ovo-vegetarian family and raise Turkish, European and Vintage American breed chickens for quiche, omelettes and of course baked goods! We also have French and English Alpine goats and hope to have baby goats one day. Once they begin having babies, we can start making our own cheese as well.
We had two silver heifers born in 2024
The country life is where we love to be and why we moved to Texas from California. 
Joan and Mary Cox in Los Banos, California ca. 1985
‘Mercy’
Born 5/29/2020
Mercy was the first calf born at the Texas Highland Cattle Ranch – she is now a mother herself. She is Highland crossed with a British White – they call these ‘High Park’.
‘Mimi’
Born 6/15/2023
Mercy had her first little heifer calf this year! She is 25% British White and 75% Highland. The mix is called a ‘High Park’
‘Jenna’
Born 8/5/2020
Jenna was our second baby heifer born at the ranch
our little ‘Brittish White’ Bull and heifers to mix with the Highlands
our Highland Bull
Scotch beef farming is nothing like intensive cattle farming, the system prioritizes the welfare and well-being of it’s animals.
Due to the grazing land being often unsuitable for growing alternative foods, not to mention the low temperature and high rainfall, Highland Cattle farming is considered to be highly environmentally sustainable.
Originally there were two distinct classes; the slightly smaller and usually black Kyloe, whose primary domain was the islands off the west coast of northern Scotland. The other was a larger animal, generally reddish in color, whose territory was the Highlands. Today both of these strains are regarded as one breed–Highland. In addition to red and black, yellow, dun, white, brindle, and silver are also traditional colors. For showing purposes, Highland cattle can be sometimes groomed with oils and conditioners to give the coats a fluffy appearance, similar to that of their calves, leading to the affectionate nickname of ‘fluffy cows’.
Highlands live longer than other breeds, and they have a much friendlier temperament.
They have even been kept as pets! Highlanders have been living alongside man for thousands of years, with written record as far back as the year 1200-AD, and archeological finds that take them back to 1200-BC. In the earlier days, in winter the cows would come into the home and their body heat helped warm the home. This had the added benefit of also keeping others from stealing them.
Highland Cattle are known for being a very docile animal, never showing any aggression and are very low stress to keep and manage. Within their herds they have a great understanding of their own social hierarchy and never fight. They also enjoy the company of humans, often approaching walkers seeking affection.
We came from California with two dogs and have quite a few more since then!
Life on the farm… isn’t always easy
