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.

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.

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.

Celebrate the arrival of Daylight Saving Time with Finn, a Scottish Highland Gentle Giant, at the “Cow Crew Experience” on Sunday, March 22, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Everyone loves spring, even the Miles Smith Farm’s long-horned Scottish Highland cattle.