What do I need to do to look after them?
Scottish Highland Cattle are an extremly resiliant breed. Their beginnings go back to the highlands and isles of Scotland, where life on the slopes and wind blown hills and isles were very tough indeed. They are resistant to disease, cold and most weather extremes. This toughness and resilience makes them easy-care and low-maintenance
What do I need to do to look after them?
How much land will I need?
You can run around 2 per acre, as opposed to larger breeds where the figure is closer to 1 per acre. This all depends on your land, quality of grass and planning. Being a smaller breed and with their unusual hoof construction, they are easier on the land and do not pug up the ground so much in wet weather.
What is a Highlands personality?
One of the reasons for Highlands popularity is their docile nature, size and looks. A Highland should be quiet and calm and certainly NOT aggressive.
This docile nature seems to fit with their appearance of a friendly yet majestic animal. When well trained a Highland can be groomed and patted in the paddock easily. All McMoos Highlands are halter trained to a level desired by the client.
Can I make a return on my investment?
Highlands may very well be the ONLY animal where a lifestyle block owner can make a return? The reason for this is simple! Demand for Quality! Buying from a professional breeder who will not only offer you animals with great genetic background and confirmation, but offer a buy back clause as well as future support and mentoring, on selling and breeding in to the future.
What is a Starter Pack?
A Starter Pack is a purchase of at least 3 animals including 1 Bull and Heifers or Cows. This will allow you to breed your own Highlands.
How interactive can I be with Highlands?
This of course is up to you. We interact with ours everyday, this ranges from simple acknowledging them over the fence to feeding them by hand and grooming. Its really quite relaxing brushing them and even just talking to them. Some of our clients even take them for walks along the country roads. Its great excercise and training in one.
How much will I pay for a Highland?
Like all things there is a wide range of prices in the Highland Market. The same old saying goes for Highlands as for anything you buy. You get what you pay for!
McMoos are quality Highland animals both in confirmation and genetic background. We concentrate on breeding them being docile and friendly.
* Steers start around $500
*All other animals start around $1,500
Pricing depands on animal and your expectations
There is discounts available for starter packs and multiple purchasers.
McMoos are priced on the quality of the animals.
All Prices are Plus GST.
What do the grades mean?
Lumont'e McMoos is a proud member of the NZ Lifestyle Highland Society and all our Highlands are based on the blood purity grading of the NZLHS.
They are as follows:
Full Blood . . . . . . 99.1125% FullBlood Highland
PureBred 3 . . . . . 98.375% Highland
Purebred 2 . . . . . 96.875% Highland
Purebred 1 . . . . . 93.75% Highland
A Grade . . . . . . . 87.5% Highland
B Grade . . . . . . . 75% Highland
C Grade . . . . . . . 50% Highland
For More details on Grading and herd book protocols you can visit the NZLHS website Click this Link

In the care of any animal there is ongoing costs for feeding, dosing and vaccinations.
Highlands DO NOT require any special care. They will cost less to maintian than other popular lifestyle breeds.
For example. Highlands are well known for being easy birthers, as the calves are typically born smaller than other breeds, but rapidly grow on.
What are the on going costs?
How Long do they live for?
Highlands can live up to ages 20-25 years, many still calving until around 19 years of age.
How do they cope in the heat?
Because of the double coat that they have, it serves two purposes. Insulation from the cold and cooling in the heat. Like all cattle it is important to have access to water and if possible some shade.
At what age are they weaned?
To ensure the best start in life it is important to judge weaning to the mother and calf and how they are coping. This flexibility means we can intervene or not to make sure the mother and calf are both doing well. Except in special circumstances most are weaned at around 20-22 weeks of age.
Can I compete with my Highlands?
You bet you can! Throughout New Zealand there are many AP & I Shows where you can compete. There is also special Highland cattle shows where you can compete ONLY with Highlands. Shows are a lot of fun and you will get to meet and compete against breeders from all over New Zealand. At some shows there has been as many as 70 Highlands. Most of all its a lot of fun to meet people with the same interest and love as you.
Why is a DNA profile important to you?
A DNA profile on your animal offers security and comfort of parentage, genetics and breeding.
While most certificates issued do not include parent verification, this can be done a very little cost. We offer both depending on our clients needs. We guarantee without question our animals parentage!
How about shipping my new Highland to me?
Your should discuss shipping costs in any with your local McMoos Member.
You could be pleasantly surprised!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Quality Highland Cattle Breeders throughout New Zealand