I have an opportunity to buy some Scotch Highland cows at what sounds like a reasonable price. $200. for a heifer calf or $500 for a calf-cow pair. The cow is bred back for April. The cows available are ages 2 to 5 years old, purebred but no papers. A friend has lots of fenced in pasture and would raise them. He is buying a pair also.What would be a good business arrangement here? Is this a good investment? Help me make a decision.

-- Kate Henderson (sheeplady@catskill.net), July 25, 2000

Answers

If you are going to bred them, a possible arrangement is your friend gets every other calf. If you are just going to pasture them, some much per month per head is an option.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), July 26, 2000.

Kate, Here abouts a cow/calf pair brings $7 a month for irrigated pasture or year around pasture. The price you mantioned seems like a good deal to me. Years ago I had a friend near Elizabethtown, (up north of you) who raised Scotch Highland & Soctch Highland/Hereford cross, they are so gentle,compared to my Black Angus. Good luck.

-- Hendo (OR) (redgate@echoweb.neth), July 26, 2000.

I own Highland cattle. That is a very good deal if they are in good health. Highland cattle tend to be pricey and the Association has strict guidelines as to registration.

If they are not registered and that is fine with you, you can still use them for cross breeding and selling beef cattle. If you want to get them registered then you better do several things first. Make sure you know the registration numbers of their parents, their tattoo numbers and even better have copies of their registration papers. The longer you wait to register your cattle, the more the price goes up after a cow is 2 years old I

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), July 26, 2000.

Dear Kate,

Don't pass this deal up. I purchased a two bred cows last October and increased my herd 100% this spring with the birth of their two magnificent heifers. They are terrific Mothers. Everything you have heard about this breed is the truth. From their temperment to grazing habits, they are the consummate beef animal. Yes, go along with the deal and perhaps pay for two thirds of this winter's hay. As am aside, I am a hillside farmer,so I wasn't interested in registering my animals. I would like to hear of your final decision. Good luck, have fun! Marianna

-- Marianna Essex (Windyfarm@AOL.com), November 04, 2000.