If you’re wondering what Highland cattle eat, then read this article. This article will discuss the most common types of vegetation and grass that Highland cattle eat. You might be surprised by the list! You’ll even learn about some common plants that Highland cows will ignore, such as Cedar saplings and rose bushes. You’ll learn how to grow these plants yourself and what Highland cows love to eat.
Contents
Grass
Cattle require a lot of nutrients in order to produce milk and beef. For that reason, they avoid plants that are low in nutrients. Highland cattle are an exception to this rule. Originally from the Scottish Highlands, this breed was bred to eat plants with low nutrient content, making them less productive. As a result, they grow slowly and produce lower-quality milk. This lack of productivity is due to the limited need of the breed to pick only the best plants.
Vegetation
The Scottish Highlands are rich in plants that are highly palatable for cattle. These plants have thin leaves, which make them easy to graze. Cattle are naturally averse to plants with spines, thorns, or toxins. However, Highland cattle aren’t nearly as constrained by such constraints. For example, one Highland cow once ate an entire aconite plant, one of the most toxic plants in Europe.
Rose bushes
Highland cattle are low-maintenance animals that have a low fat and cholesterol content. Because they feed on rose bushes, they also have an exceptionally low amount of cholesterol and have a relatively high protein content. In addition, two farms in the Highland region market their beef directly to consumers. For this reason, they are becoming more popular among consumers. But what do Highland cows eat?
Cedar saplings
Whether or not it is desirable for your cows to eat cedar saplings depends on many factors. First, cedars are poisonous to livestock. Cedar trees also take up valuable pasture space and don’t provide much benefit to your farm. Besides, you don’t want them crowding out your grass or limiting your pasture’s sunlight. Second, they are a fire hazard, so you might as well dedicate that space to grass and other vegetation. Third, cedar trees contain toxins that can cause severe health issues. Some species can cause tremors and muscle contractions, so small amounts of cedar saplings may cause diarrhea, colic, and vomiting.
Pine needles
Many cattle have a natural affinity for pine needles, including Highland cows. But this dietary preference is often worse during winter, when the forage is covered with snow and the temperature is extreme. Despite the potential health benefits, some ranchers choose to remove pine trees from their pastures to discourage the consumption of pine needles. And one researcher, Ned Westphal, has come up with an effective treatment: he changes his feeding program to discourage the consumption of pine needles by Highland cows.
New growth off of multi-floral rose bushes
Adding goats to your pasture can help manage multiflora roses. Goats love to graze on plants that contain large amounts of wood, including multiflora roses. By adding goats to your pasture, you can prevent this problem. Goats will continue to graze on plants until their root reserves are exhausted. Another pest to watch out for is the disease Rose Rosette Disease, which is carried by small mites. This disease can kill multi-flora roses, ornamental roses, and even fruit.
New growth off of cedar saplings
The highland cow is a hardy breed that thrives on less than ideal rangeland and pasture. They are very adept browsers, which means they can clear brush lots quickly. Highlands will eat new growth from a variety of bushes and trees, including cedar saplings. They also enjoy new oak leaves, which they chew on, and a browse line.
