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Horns N Hooves
🐄 Horns and Hooves: The Highland Cattle Podcast
Are you tired of sorting through bad advice about raising Highland and Highland Cross cattle? Do you need practical, proven strategies to make smart decisions for your farm? You've come to the right place!
Welcome to Horns and Hooves, the podcast dedicated to being your go-to source for all things Highland and Highland Cross cattle.
Join your hosts, Lori Racicky (from Creekside Highland Haven) and Taylor Hauser (from Hausers Homestead). We started this podcast because we learned the hard way - through our own mistakes and by trusting the wrong advice. We know what it's like to feel all alone, juggling costly decisions and second-guessing every move.
The good news is: You don't have to anymore!
What We Cover:
We dive into topics that truly matter to the everyday cattle owner, offering real stories and honest advice from people who live it. We keep it real and share what works, learning from experience, not nonsense.
- Farm Economics: Expert tips on managing feed costs and making financially savvy choices.
- Buying & Selling: Strategies for navigating the complexity of livestock auctions and sales.
- The Hard Truths: We tackle the subjects others avoid, like getting straight answers about cattle sizes, temperament, and quality.
- Community Support: Our mission is to build a strong community where everybody feels welcome, no matter how long you've been in the game.
Our goal is to cut through the noise and give you the practical takeaways you need to raise a healthy, successful herd.
Hit that subscribe button and give us a five-star rating to help our community grow!
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Horns N Hooves
The Dangers of Horned Cattle and Breed Integrity with Annie Howe
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In this episode of Horns n Hooves, we are joined by special guest Annie Howe to discuss her deep-rooted history in the cattle industry and her transition into showing high-quality registered Highland cattle. From Craigslist beginnings to winning division titles at major shows like Louisville, Annie shares the passion and dedication required to maintain breed standards and family legacies. We dive into the critical differences between miniature crossbreds and registered Highlands, emphasizing why quality must always come before color or size.
Listeners can expect a raw conversation about the "livestock reality," including the challenges of winter calving, the vital importance of herd health through vaccinations, and the dangers of working with horned cattle. Annie reminds us that while these animals are beautiful, they are exactly how God made them 2,000 years ago, and it is our responsibility to protect their integrity. As Annie says, "If you're not breeding to advance the breed, don't breed".
Key Takeaways
The Importance Of Quality Genetics: Prioritize conformation and sound breeding over easy-to-quantify traits like color or small size to ensure the long-term health of the breed.
Vaccinations And Biosecurity: Protecting your investment means providing the best possible protection through vaccinations, especially when animals are being transported across the country.
Livestock Safety And Boundaries: Never forget that horned cattle are dangerous; maintaining strict rules and expectations in the barn is essential for preventing injury.
The Role Of A Reliable Vet: Finding a veterinarian who is as invested in your vision and your cattle as you are is a game-changer for any producer.
Episode Highlights
Craigslist Beginnings: How a random search led to an incredibly well-bred foundation bull and a lifelong obsession.
The Shift To Showing: Rediscovering the love for the show ring and the impact of seeing success click for the whole family.
Preserving The Breed: Why Highlands are unique because they haven't been changed by the packing industry and still retain their ancient traits.
The Reality Of Loss: A sobering look at the challenges of saving a hypothermic calf during a difficult calving season.
Timestamps
00;01;05 — Annie’s lifelong history in the cattle industry
00;03;32 — Transitioning into showing registered Highlands
00;11;34 — Why the industry must focus on quality over color and size
00;18;03 — The necessity of vaccines for animals traveling nationwide
00;23;03 — Dealing with hypothermic calves and winter calving issues
00;28;35 — The value of finding a vet invested in your vision
00;36;33 — Critiquing the pitfalls of breeding for size alone
00;41;05 — Why you should invest extra money in high-quality bulls
00;53;05 — Dangerous encounters and the importance of livestock boundaries
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Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com
Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_