Extract from ABC News
Feel good
Highland cows are fast becoming popular with hobby farmers. (ABC South West: Madigan Landry)
In short:
Highland cattle breeding is growing in Western Australia, with registered breeders rising from about 12 to more than 40 in five years.
Popularity is being driven by social media, hobby farming and an interest in agritourism.
What's next?
Breeder numbers may begin to level out, but demand to see and interact with Highland cattle is expected to keep growing.
Believed to be the oldest registered breed of cow in the world, the Highland has grown in popularity among farmers and tourists in Western Australia.
The state is emerging as one of the fastest-growing regions for Highland cattle breeding, with the distinctively shaggy Scottish breed seeing a surge in popularity across farms and agritourism ventures.
Breeder numbers have climbed from about a dozen five years ago to more than 40 today.
Highland cattle originate from Scotland and are the oldest registered breed in the world. (ABC South West: Madigan Landry)
Australian Highland Cattle Society WA representative Rob Murrell said the breed's popularity had "increased exponentially" in recent years.
"Visiting Scotland in 2023 and then again in 2024, [I saw] the difference in the tourism component around the Highland cattle had grown massively," he said.
"I think there's been a flow-on effect with WA catching up to the eastern states and a lot of cattle coming across from the eastern states to new breeders here.
"They're just a super popular animal."
Rob Murrell, with wife Michelle, is the Australian Highland Cattle Society representative for Western Australia. (Supplied: Rob Murrell)
Mr Murrell said Highland cattle were the oldest registered breed in the world.
"They've got herd books dating back to the 1800s in Scotland," he said.
"The most important thing is to uphold the breed standards and look to improve on the cattle you've got each breeding cycle."
Not just pets
Mr Murrell said the breed's docile temperament and distinct appearance made it attractive to a wide range of new owners, from hobby farmers to experienced cattle producers.
But he said their popularity and appearance came with significant misconceptions.
"They're not just big kind of fluffy puppy dog-type cows,"he said.
"You do still have to treat them like livestock and have some adequate amount of space for them, and also the right kind of equipment when it comes to vet check-ups.
"You should always have a cattle crush so that the vet can check them over, as well as some yards and enough space for them to be able to move around and graze."
Highland cattle form clear social hierarchies within each paddock, with groups often separated by age, breeding roles and nutritional needs. (Supplied: Rob Murrell)
Agritourism heads west
The growth has also been fuelled by agritourism, with farm visits and on-farm experiences becoming increasingly popular.
In Donnybrook, about 200 kilometres south of Perth, Jackie De Luis has been breeding Highlands for six years, initially drawn to the animals through her Scottish heritage.
"I just love the way they look, I love their nature, I love being able to interact with a cow that wants you to interact with it," she said.
Jackie De Luis has been working with Highland cows at her Thompson Brook farm for six years. (ABC South West: Madigan Landry)
Despite originating in Scotland's cold climate, Ms De Luis said the animals' thick hides were helpful in local conditions too.
"It insulates them in Scotland from that freezing weather. But in WA, or in Australia, it helps them with the heat as well," she said.
"They have adapted really well. If they hadn't, you would see that they were stressed and they'd be unhealthy and they're completely opposite."
Highland cows use their large horns to help regulate body temperature -- circulating blood through them so they can cool down. (ABC South West: Madigan Landry)
She said their social hierarchy and care needs were more complex than some people realised.
"Each paddock has its own hierarchy. We have our bull separate because we stick to a breeding program and we want to control that," Ms De Luis said.
"We have our heifers so that's more based not on hierarchy, but feeding our mums and babies separately because they get extra nutrition to feed their calves.
"But their hierarchy is really important to them and you do notice that when you go out in the paddock and you do have to respect it."
There are currently 46 registered Highland cow breeders in Western Australia. (ABC South West: Madigan Landry)
Mr Murrell expects interest in the breed will continue to grow.
"The ownership of them could potentially level out a little bit, but I think the popularity of them just with everyone will continue," he said.
"Through agritourism, a lot of farm tours and visits are booked out week in, week out with people wanting to come and meet Highland cattle and interact with them."
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