View from the cattle pens

The natural instinct of the Highland cow is to move away and out of sight of other cattle just before calving and some cows will even jump fences and break open gates in order to get away from the herd.  A calving cow will often find a quiet, secluded place where her newborn calf can be born away from the dangers of being trampled by the other cattle, or being attacked by predators.  Then, after a day or so, it should, if required, be strong enough to walk alongside the protection of its mother.

However, although Highland cattle are generally good and protective mothers, the Hebridean spring weather can be a harsh time for outside calving with significant risks from heavy rain, wind chill, exposure and hypothermia which can quickly kill a struggling newborn calf in its first critical hours of life.  In addition, there is the added natural danger of heavily pregnant cows getting bogged down in wet peatland and/or newly born calves drowning in drains, bogs, lochs and rivers.

Our experience has been that:
a) finding or guiding a Highland cow which is about to calve on a howling wet, dark night on a cold moor or even in an enclosed field is something best avoided;
b) we have lost a calf which was born outside in severe cold weather after its mother experienced a difficult calving, despite the best endeavours of veterinary staff;
c) so far, we have not lost a calf or cow which has calved within the controlled environment of a secure calving pen with ready access to a cattle holding (crush) facility.


Note: The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute through its ‘Macaulay Lewis Endowment Fund’ has provided assistance to ‘Brue Highlanders’ for exploring the use of internet and webcam technologies to support sustainable cattle production on Lewis. The Macaulay Institute is particularly keen to use these new technologies for educational purposes and for allowing school pupils to gain a better understanding of local food production systems and appreciate the important beneficial links between their land, island locality, local food produce and healthy, lifestyle choices.

If you would like to find out more about our Highland cattle or using webcam technologies or indeed Highland cattle in general, please feel free to email us with your queries or comments.