11/06/2023
Nearly every day, I receive an email asking if I have any mature bred miniature highland cows for sale.
If the cow is truly a miniature highland and produces genetically miniature calves, then she produces a steady income each year. What would she be worth?
What is the likelihood that a breeder would sell a true mini highland cow that produces genetically small calves?
What is the likelihood that someone searching for a bred mini highland cow will end up with someoneās cull cow? A cow that has fertility issues, that produces genetically large calves, that has an illness or injury, or a cow that is aggressive or produces aggressive calves, or a cow that destroys or disrespects fencing, etc.
There are no shortcuts to producing quality stock. Those who see a āreally good dealā are actually thinking they can buy a bovine for less than itās worth, thinking that the owner has no idea what they should be charging. Such buyers are more likely to be scammed. So often we have people ask us to mentor them after they purchased from someone elseā¦. We make informational posts to help a community. We personally mentor only our own customers. There is not enough time in our lifetime to personally mentor everyone, and our real customers deserve our personal time. Sadly , itās typically the least experienced people who buy from someone who either cannot or will not be available to answer their questions. I guess that speaks for itself?
Iām not saying that you get what you pay for, but make sure you know what you are paying for, and remember, there really are no shortcuts. You either pay in time and frustration and dead ends or you pay to get what you really want.
But above all, this developing breed is really suffering. The number of standard sized highlands that are now called mini highlands is almost certainly dwarfing the true thing. This cannot continue. Buyers have the power to make or break this breed.
And breeding standard to mini is more likely to reproduce standard than mini.
