Highland cattle breeders representing hundreds of farms and ranches from across the country will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the American Highland Cattle Association (AHCA) with a conference Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort in Chamberlin-Oacoma, South Dakota June 16-17.
Founded at the Double X Ranch in Belvidere, South Dakota, in 1948, AHCA has the only globally recognized American Highland herd book. With 75 years of cattle registrations, the book has direct connections to every other leading Highland cattle organization in the world.
“There wouldn’t be any true Highlands in the United States if it wasn’t for AHCA,” said Tom McConnell, chairman for the gathering. “We owe our gratitude to the association’s founding members for having the foresight to keep our nation’s Highland cattle traceable back to the herd book in Scotland, which dates all the way back to 1885.”
Their attractive physique and high quality beef helped Highlands gain popularity in the United States. AHCA President Josh Krenz says having more than 2,000 members and nearly 65,000 registered full-blood Highlands is a testament to the organization’s strength and stability.
“They are traditionally known for being docile and they have high quality meat that is low in fat and low in cholesterol,” Krenz said.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg – or the horn – to explain the Highlands’ popularity.
They are excellent mothers – even first-calf heifers have a strong mothering instinct. They also are easy calvers. While Highlands use the horns for protection and are very adept at using them, they are for the most part a docile breed, with 79% scoring as “exceptionally calm” or “calm” when handled, according to the Highland Performance Program
Source: agupdate.com
Categories: South Dakota, Rural Lifestyle