Scottish Highland Cattle in Bernardvillé

My name is Pastis because they gave me No. 51 when I was born in Bernardvillé on March 15th, 2008.My Mum, the one with the long sharp horns and the punk haircut, is called “Dundee”, and her mother is called “Horny”.  Dad is called “Whisky”.It is true that we look rather exotic.  Our ancestors came from Scandinavia and accompanied the Vikings into the Scottish Highlands.  We belong to the “Highland Cattle” breed and are directly descended from the aurochs: these were prehistoric cattle which can be seen on stone age paintings.We have witnessed many historic events and seen many different landscapes and now we are here in Bernardvillé to help you to keep the outskirts of the village tidy.   

We are easy to recognise with our long hair particularly adapted to cold places.  Our coat is reddish brown, but some of our cousins are black  Our long pointed horns, quite elegant, are also useful.  They dissuade intruders from disturbing our young, and also enable us to scratch.The cows’ horns generally point upwards, whereas the bulls’ point downwards.  Our eyes are special, like those of stags.  Like them, we can see in the night.Our long eyelashes, as well as the hair which covers our eyes, protect us from the flies and mosquitoes. Our fur is made up of two layers.  The inner layer is made of smooth fine hair which retains the heat.  The hair of the outer layer is longer and oily, so water and snow can’t reach our skin.  We are well equipped for cold winters.  As soon as the warm weather returns, our long hair falls off and doesn’t grow again until the autumn.       

Small but sturdy, we the cows weigh 400 to 500 kilos when we’re adult (around 3 years old).  Bulls are more imposing but in spite of an intimidating appearance, are usually rather gentle in temperament. We can live for about 25-30 years, and unlike domestic cows, we don’t need any help during calving. 

Particularly hardy, the management of natural spaces has become one of our specialities.  We can function as “strimmers on legs”  We eat everything: small shrubs, dry grass, brambles, nettles, etc.  We are not hard to please, and can adapt to difficult conditions.We can stay outside all year round, in humid places where no other cattle would survive.  In Spring we can eat broom, but of course we prefer nice things like apples or dry bread.

But alas! We are also appreciated for our meat.  They say that Highland cattle meat is the only beef served on the royal table in England.  We are lucky to be here!

We have a reputation of “cattle without problems”.  We can also predict the weather.  When bad weather comes, we become intolerable, and we face the wind like weather vanes.

At present we are in the “mountain pastures” of Bernardvillé.  You can come and admire us here BECAUSE WE ARE WELL WORTH IT! 

Ah - it's time for my feed - and it is so very good !  Bye-bye !  See you !

Find us on the « web” under :  www.vins-geiger-koenig.com <http://www.vins-geiger-koenig.com/>  (Good Wines, Nice Cows !)