Mailing Address: 1281 E. Magnolia St., Unit D #320 Fort Collins CO 80524
About Us - Sustainable Ranching at its Best!
American Highlands Ranch is a mountain ranch focused on a fully sustainable lifestyle. Among our ranching & farming activities we raise & sell Scottish Highland cattle for breeding, show, pets &/or Beef. We breed our Highlands primarily by A.I. (insemination) through a protocol developed with professionals from the University of Wyoming’s Beef Management & Nutrition research facility. The protocol allows us to obtain & efficiently use semen from top of the line prize winning herds throughout N. America and the globe. As a result we have cattle with beautiful deep red, black, silver, brindle, blonde & white coloring and top notch characteristics such as straight backs, magnificent horns, long flowing hair, great legs, good sturdy feet, tight udders, and more. The ranch is fully environmentally focused. We plant & harvest only heirloom seeds for fresh, natural plants, vegetables & fruits. We also raise & harvest free range turkeys and heritage breed chickens. As a result we gain the healthiest of grass fed, grass finished premium heritage Highland Beef, healthy free range turkeys and chickens and premium large, farm fresh, superbly delicious tasting eggs. Following our crop harvests we also regularly process some of the fresh vegetables and fruits from our lands into Mason jar filled fruits, vegetables, jellies and jams. We welcome your family’s visit. At our Ranch we teach University students for College credits & conduct educational day or weekend classes in sustainable ranching & farming. We also provide tours for adults, children and schools. For info & reservations about our classes or tours, or to place a reservation for our produce or delicious all natural, hormone free meats simply call 719-510-1102. As we are a hands-on family farm & ranch we operate by reservation only. Regarding our 100% free range, grass fed, grass finished premium Highland beef, quantities for all our produce especially our fresh premium Highland beef is very limited. For info about purchase of our Highland cattle or cuts of premium Highland beef, especially for holiday orders or special occasion orders please be sure to call us ahead of time to reserve your order. Call 719-510-1102.
Our Breeding Program
When we decided to raise Scottish Highland Cattle, we also decided that our niche would be to use mainly A.I. (Impregnating our cattle through artificial insemination). We chose this route because it would give us the ability to diversify in the breeding of top of the line genetics from around the globe.
When we first started our AI, our success rate was at 67%. Still considered super in the industry. Year by year we have consistently improved this percent by paying very close attention to nutrition and herd dynamics, (behavior with each other). It's all about nutrition, nutrition, nutrition and calm and respectful handling of the animals. By speaking to nutritionists and PHD's at our local feed store, we have established a feeding protocol that keeps our animals at a body score condition of 6 on a score of 1 to 10 before during and after birth. As a result of paying very close attention to our Highlands nutrition and herd dynamics, we have succeeded in increasing our once 67% success rate to a healthy 85% to a few years back 100% success rate. Of course we are sure this outstanding number was most likely not going to be our average as we have settled into between 85% to 87%. By breeding in this manner, we are able to breed using the best bulls we can find and use semen from worldwide. We have been able to establish substantially greater control of the genetics, coloring, physical attributes and personality traits of our herd. And at the same time, maintain the preservation of this glorious and stunning breed of cattle know as Scottish Highland Cattle.
Selection/Training
Before our calves go to their new homes, we wean them from their mums at 6 months. At this time the calves are eating dry matter (hay), drinking plenty of fresh water on their own and have learned to take treats from us. They no longer need their mums to sustain their development. We take over from here. It is important to us to make sure all our Highland calves that are going to their new homes as breeding/show stock/pets are socialized and halter trained. Usually by the time the calves (kids) come in for weaning they are already pretty social. The time spent with mum teaches them how to forage, how to interact with people, and just how to be a cow overall. Our cattle have a very low stress environment so this makes our jobs much easier. We halter train each and every one of our calves. This is a several week process but a fun one. By preparing the calves for their new homes, their new owners can handle them easily. It's a fun and fulfilling process to make new friends with the little ones.
· Member: American Highland Cattle Association
· Member: AHCA Quality Highland Beef (QHB) Program
· Member: Mountain States Highland Cattle Association
· Member: North Central Highland Cattle Association
· Member: Midwest Highland Cattle Association
· Member: Northwest Highland Cattle Association
. Member: Highland Cattle Society - Scotland
· Certified Completed University of Wyoming Beef Management - Nutrition - A.I. School Food Animal Artificial Insemination.