HETHERINGTON GLADE

Most Highland Cattle Folds have varying degrees of 'Grades' and 'Pures' amongst their stock. Each of these gradually get bred up to what is called a Fullblood animal.
All Grades of heifers can be registered with the New Zealand Lifestyle Breeds Assn, however only 'Pure' bulls may be. A grade bulls may be shown and used for commercial beef/dairy operations.

The lowest grading is C grade, and while some of these show good Highland traits - most also show traits to their other lineage. For example a Highland crossed with a Friesian may have the horns and coat to a certain degree - but often shows finer bone than what is required of a Highland. Whereas a Highland crossed with a Simmental or Angus for example reflects good size and bone having captured the beef traits of both breeds.

As breeders it is our responsibility to breed these animals to the breed standard, capturing the correct conformation and breed traits while maintaining an animal of good temperament and integrity.

Often the grading system is confusing to newcomers, so below is an easy to follow description!

• C grade is a first cross = 50% or ½
  (From pure bull and cow of another breed, eg Hereford, Friesian, Simmental)
• B grade is a 2nd cross = ¾
  (From pure bull and C grade cow)
• A grade is a 3rd cross = 7/8th
  (From pure bull and B grade cow)
• Pure grade = 15/16th
  (From pure bull and A grade cow)
• Pure grades = P1, (1st generation pure)
  P2, (2nd generation pure)
  P3 (3rd generation pure )
  P4 (4th generation pure )
• Fullblood

HIGHLAND TRAITS
Scottish Highland Cattle are generally very easy going and easy to handle. They have majestic horns that while appear intimidating are often quite graceful in movement, and are often used between each other in forms of communcation - Highland cattle are generally not aggresive by nature, and it is not their intention to threaten people.

Another amazing thing about Highlands is their long breeding life, often still producing healthy calves over the age of 20! They are a calving ease breed due to the fact that their calves are small but vigorous at birth - quickly gaining weight and growing at a rapid pace! The mother Highland has a very strong mothering instinct, and in most cases is very protective of her offspring. During the early phase of a young calf's life it is always advisable not to go rushing up to the baby enthusiastically - as the mother will often let you know that this is her baby, and there is no way you will ever be getting it away from her!

Highland Cattle are relatively easy care in respect to most other breeds. However in saying that all domestic animals require suitable grazing conditions, water and shade - Highlands especially do require shade in summer, considering the long hairy coat! Here at Hetherington we are fortunate to have boundary fences with rows of mature pines lining them; but we still are planting suitable shade trees throughout our paddocks for the comfort of the animals. Just a note however, please be careful what you do plant, as all ruminants are prone to being poisoned by certain trees. Highlands are excellent foragers and we often laugh at our stock when we let them onto fresh grass - as they go straight up to the pine trees and nibble on the needles instead! 

Of course one of the most obvious traits of a Highland is it's thick lustrous coat! They come in varying colours ranging from White to Black - the most popular being Red.  The coat is as dense as it is long, and in winter these beasts are majestic in their prime winter coats.