Need A Last-Minute Gift? How About A Shaggy Hippie-Cow?

They’re the cute, shaggy hippies of cattle, and it seems everyone wants a Highland. With their long bangs and longer horns, these critters also come in miniature varieties and are all the rage on social media.

When someone backed out of buying Neo, a 4-month-old highland bull calf, owner Winnie Molnar of Greybull, Wyoming, decided to exercise a little Christmas creativity. 

She posted photos of Neo with reindeer antlers, a Rudolph-inspired red nose and a Santa hat as a “last-minute deal” for anyone stumped for a gift for someone who has almost everything.

“That was just for fun,” Molnar told Cowboy State Daily. “A lot of people are asking questions — whether or not I sell him as a bull, a steer, or for a pet, he’ll find a home.”

Highland coos, as they’re called, are becoming more common on Wyoming ranches, shaking up the cattle industry by offering smaller and "cuter" beef cattle that are better at taking care of themselves and more economical for ranchers on every scale.

A Fold Of Coos

Highland coos originate from the Scottish Highlands. They're immediately distinguishable for their shaggy coats, long horns and colors ranging from black and red to white and silver. 

And yes, it’s a coo — not a cow — said Jerry Hill, manager of the Rock Creek Ranch in Clark. Highland coos have their own lingo.

“A herd of Highlands is called a fold, so we run a fold of coos on Rock Creek Ranch,” he said. “I get so many comments on Facebook that I spelled ‘cow’ wrong when I post about Highland coos, but that’s what they’re called.”

Hill said Rock Creek Ranch used to have Angus and Highlands on the northwest Wyoming ranch. They’ve since transitioned exclusively to a "fold" of between 65 and 100 Highlands, which has made their operation easier and more affordable.

“Highlands are an old breed, so they don’t cost as much to feed,” he said. “They eat between a third and two-thirds less than an Angus, so we don’t have to buy as much hay as we used to.”

Highlands also aren’t picky about what they eat. Hill described them as “hairy goats” that thrive in the varied terrain in the Beartooth Mountains.

“They’ll eat everything,” he said. “The way they graze, they’re not picky. Highlands are a very hearty breed.”

Fuzzy And Cute

Molnar said she and her husband got interested in raising Highland coos when they retired from the U.S. military and moved to a ranch near Greybull three years ago. They currently raise Highland coos and Angus cattle but plan to pivot completely to Highland coos in the future.

Compared to the Angus cattle, Molnar said their eight head of Highland cattle are "cuter " and easier to raise and manage than other breeds. The two breeds are similarly sized, but Highlands tend to be more personable and like contact with people.

Molnar has been hands-on with the four calves now on her ranch, socializing them for their future owners. She said Highlands coos have a reputation for being super-friendly and taking well to pampering.

“My daughter brushes them and gives them treats,” she said. “When I go out there, they always walk up to me. I can put things on them, dress them up, and do all sorts of things. It’s like your dog or cat but a cow.”

Marbled Models

Molnar said she raises her Highland coos for the fun of it, but she is aware that Highlands provides high-quality beef.

“They said that the meat is really tender and well-marbled,” she said. “It’s really good meat, and there is a small number of people who raise them for meat.”

Hill said Rock Creek Ranch primarily raises Highlands for all-natural beef, which is “raised in a stress-free environment and fed a diet that is free from harmful chemicals and additives.” 

Overall, they’re pleased with the results.

“Our Highlands are running between 1,000 and 1,250 pounds,” he said. “Their meat is more flavorful than the grass-fed Angus and has more marbling, lower cholesterol and higher protein and iron than many other meats.”

The switch from Angus cattle to Highland cows was a coup for Rock Creek Ranch. The only downside is that Highlands take longer to reach their optimal weight, which means the meat is more expensive.

“It takes about three to four years to get one Highland up to weight to be able to butcher it as grassfed,” Hill said. “You can have a finished grassfed Angus in just two years, so that is a downside. But Highlands are much easier to manage.”

Horning In

One notable difference between Highland coos and other cattle is their prominent horns. Hill acknowledged that those horns are one reason ranchers avoid raising Highlands.

“Highlands can be dangerous with those horns, but that’s a trait of purebred Highlands,” he said. “People are trying to breed them without horns, but that means it's a crossbreed. There’s no such thing as a purebred Highland without horns.”

Hill sees Highland horns as another benefit of raising them in northwest Wyoming. The Rock Creek Ranch hasn’t lost a single calf this season, and he’s not surprised, given the temperament of their mothers.

“I can't tell you that I've seen a Highland stick a grizzly bear with a horn or anything like that, but I can tell you that if you go out there and grab one of their calves, you better be ready to run or jump,” he said.

Moo Market

Neo, one of Molnar’s Highland coo calves, is the progeny of a sire and dam registered with the American Highland Cattle Association. He was born Aug. 14.

There’s a smaller marker for Highland bulls, but Highlands tend to be hit or miss for many prospective buyers. Molnar said several people have backed out of a Highland sale “at the last minute.”

“Many people are hesitant about the price because he’s registered,” she said. “The market for bulls is not great compared to the heifers, but many people who want one of our Highlands will back out for whatever reason.”

Another unique quirk of the demand for Highland coos is color. Molnar said a calf’s color can significantly affect its price.

“Most people love the brighter, shiny colors like white and silver,” she said. “Those colors sell really fast. But it's a little harder to sell when you have red, yellow or black.”

Nevertheless, the popularity of Highland coos as pasture pets and a low-maintenance alternative to other beef cattle is growing. And if someone wants one, they might as well buy another.

“People want smaller cows for their ranchettes,” Hill said. “I don’t recommend buying a Highland unless you’re going to buy two. You want them to have a buddy.”

Holiday Home

Molnar isn’t sure if giving Neo a Rudolph nose and a Santa hat will get him a new home by Christmas, but the photos of the cutely customized coo have generated a lot of interest.

“You can place his photo under the tree and bring him home on Valentine's Day,” she said. “Two birds with one stone, and your significant other will love you even more.”

Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.