Fiddle Moo-sic

written by

Carole Soule

posted on

May 7, 2022

Eve Scottish Highland cattle enjoy a good tune.

Fiddler Elizabeth Anderson

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It's Cow Spa time at Miles Smith Farm: Fall in Love with my Coos

All winter, my Scottish Highland and Belted Galloway cattle have grown magnificent, lanolin-rich coats — nature’s waterproofing so good it puts L.L. Bean to shame. Lanolin repels water and snow better than any slicker on the market. But these coats can’t be unzipped when the sunshine returns. That’s where the electric clippers come in.

What Do Cows With Big Horns Have to Prove?

At Miles Smith Farm, we have two kinds of cattle: Scottish Highlanders and Angus/Hereford cross-breeds. There are many differences between these breeds, but one is particularly striking. The Highlanders, both males, and females have enormous horns, and the others do not. In ancient times all cattle had horns, but as a result of selective breeding, many breeds of cattle lost their horns.

Is it Possible to Fall in Love with a Steer?

Topper was born on the farm in 2012. His mom was a red Scottish Highlander, and his sire a black Highland bull. Back then, our practice was to give all newborn calves ear tags with numbers. He didn’t have a name at that time, just a number.