Society Field officers

Society Field Officers Offering practical advice and information for members

Members are reminded that the Society’s Field Officers and Council members are available to give assistance on any aspect of breeding, rearing and management of their cattle. However they do not provide any veterinary information that might be construed as veterinary advice.

Any member requiring a Field Officer’s visit should notify the Breed Secretary who will endeavour to arrange a visit at the earliest opportunity.

New breeders are strongly advised to seek the assistance of a Field Officer prior to acquiring a stock bull.

Membership of the Highland Cattle Society normally entitles breeders to one free visit, for further visits a charge is made to cover the Fieldsman’s travel costs. Please bear in mind that the Field Officers, who are members of the Society, offer this valuable and important service in a voluntary capacity, and their time is precious. Cattle to be viewed must be ready, convenient, and properly restrained at the time of the Field Officer’s appointment. Otherwise it will be necessary to levy a charge equal to the whole cost of the visit.

The Society’s Field Officers are: Mr Jim Ayres 36 West End, Northwold, Thetford, Norfolk. IP26 5LE Tel (H): 01366 728565 | Tel (F): 01366 728769 Email: jimayres.ba@gmail.com Mr Duncan Buchanan Shenavallie, Benderloch, Oban, Argyll PA37 1QU Tel (H): 01631 720240 | Email: shenavallie@hotmail.com Mr Robin Chilton Bedwgwynion, Llangadfan, Welshpool, Powys SY21 0PL Tel (H): 07841 567386 Email: janchilton@madasafish.co.uk Mr Brian Dalby Cestersover Farm, Pailton, nr Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 0QP Tel (H): 01788 832188 | Email: dalby@farmline.com Mr Graeme Easton The Ranch, Letham, Angus. DD8 2PG Tel (M): 07710 534828 | Email: graemeeaston@yahoo.co.uk Mr Peter Edwards Little Scotland Farm, Burney Lane, Staunton Harold, Melbourne, Derbyshire. DE73 1BH Tel (H): 01332 865814 | Tel (M): 07764 685345 Email: petered_uk@hotmail.com Mr Jim Fraser East Tilbouries, Maryculter, Aberdeenshire. AB12 5GD Tel (H): 01224 732351 | Tel (M): 07785 522648 Email: jim.s.fraser@talk21.com Mr Andrew Kirkpatrick Strathmore, Beith Road, Glengarnock, Beith KA14 3BX Tel (H): 01505 683251 Email: ak@glengarnockfold.co.uk Mr Iain Mackay Torloisk Farm, Ulva Ferry, Isle of Mull, Argyll PA74 6NH Tel (M): 07775 875860 | Email: torloisk@gmail.com Mr Hugh M MacPhail Callachally Farm, Salen, Aros, Isle of Mull PA72 6JN Tel (H): 01680 300424 | Tel (F): 01680 300424 Email: macphail@tiscali.co.uk Mr Archie McArthur Tiretigan Farm, Kilberry, Tarbert, Argyll PA29 6YD Tel (H): 01880 770225 | Tel (M): 07881 908556 Email: tiretigan@gmail.com Mr Bob McWalter 12 Clerk Drive, Corpach, Fort William. PH33 7LE Tel (H): 01397 772212 | Tel (M): 07464 072551 Email: gwenmcwalter@hotmail.co.uk Mr Dochy Ormiston Gelderside, Balmoral Estate, Ballater, Aberdeenshire. AB35 5TX Tel (H): 01339 742353 | Email: dochyo@icloud.com Mrs Annie Perkins Clink Cottage Farm, Marlcliff, Bidford-on-Avon. B50 4NY Tel (H): 01789 490872 | Tel (M): 07816 877259 Email: amperkins@aol.com Mr Robert Phillip Green Farm, Hellifield, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 4LA Tel (H): 01729 850217 Email: info@hellifieldhighlandbeef.co.uk Mr John Redpath Knowehead, Kilry, Alyth, Perthshire PH11 8JA Tel (H): 01575 560233 Email: redpathknowehead@aol.com Mr Geoff Spawton Gilfachwen, Cellan, Lampeter, Ceredigion SA48 8HL Tel (H): 01570 423080 | Email: geoff@themay.co.uk Mr Robert Tedbury Fold View, Church Farm, London Road, Hardham, Pulborough RH20 1LB Tel (H): 01798 872985 | Tel (M): 07803 087213 Email: robert.tedbury@btinternet.com

BREED STANDARD

The description of the Highland male and female as published in the preamble to the first Herd Book is as valid now as then. The description may thus be termed the Breed Standard.

THE HEAD Of all the representatives of our British bovine breeds, the Highlander has the grandest and most picturesque head; it is, indeed, to his head that he owes his great favour among artists. As a rule, it is most proportionate to the body of the animal, and is broad between the eyes, while short from the eyes to the point of the muzzle. The forelock between the eyes should be wide, long and bushy, and any nakedness or bareness there is certain to detract from the appearance of the animal. Some would almost have the hair so wide there as to obscure the eyes, but this in many cases would be allowing one good point to over-shadow another. The eyes should be bright and full, and denoting, when excited, high courage. When viewed sideways, there should be a proportionate breadth of the jawbones readily observable, when compared with the width of the head in front, whilst the muzzle should, when looked at from a similar point, be short, though very broad in front, and with the nostrils fully distended, and indicating breeding in every way. One of the most noteworthy features in a Highlander, is of course, the horns. In the bulls, the horns should be strong, and come level out of the head, slightly inclining forwards, and also slightly rising towards the points. Some, however, do not care for this rise, though any drooping is considered to be a very bad fault when between the crown and the commencement of the curve, as this is generally accompanied by a low weak back. Some, too, are of opinion that the masculine appearance is slightly detracted from when the horns rise directly from the crown. This, however, can only readily be detected and commented upon when particular animals are brought before experienced judges, as within a show ring.

As regards the horns of the cow, there prevail