The Sovereign registry allows crossbred animals to be recognized for their AHCA Highland parentage. Crossbreeding is the process of mixing superior genes from different breeds to make animals that produce better, are hardier and live longer. Heterosis (hybrid vigor) is observed when the measured production exceeds the average of the two or more breeds used in a crossbreeding program. Two breeds can be combined which have quite different positive traits. One such situation is mating Highland bulls on another breed with particular interest in calving ease. An expected outcome would be enhanced rate of, combined with the calving ease of the Highland breed. This procedure would be particularly useful in breeding first calf heifers, reducing the incidence of calving difficulties.
The Highland cow is well known for important traits like longevity and hardiness, often producing into her teens. She has superior maternal instincts and milking ability to raise a healthy calf ready to go after weaning. Highlands are good convertors of poor quality roughages and excellent foragers to take advantage of the grazing/ feed resources available in your program. Due to their outstanding characteristics including the hair coat, Highlands are becoming popular in the club calf world. Several top sires have Highland blood.
The following rules shall govern eligibility for registration of Highland crossbred animals in the Sovereign Registry. Owners of an animal to be registered must be members of the American Highland Cattle Association.
1) The non-Highland parent must be of Bos Taurus beef breed origin (no dairy, Brahma or Zebu) and the breed type indicated on the registration application (i.e. dam: AHCA registration #, sire: commercial Angus or registered Angus or Shorthorn x Angus).
2) Animals must be either polled, scurred o r properly dehorned and indicated as such on the registration application.
3) All bulls being registered must be DNA typed and genetic defect status on file prior to registration.
4) AI sires and donor dams are required to have a DNA type and genetic defect status on file with AHCA.
5) All AI and ET calves must be DNA typed prior to registration.
6) All DNA typing must be done by a laboratory designated by and at a fee set by AHCA.
7) Registration fees are the same as the AHCA Herdbook.
8) It is important to note this is not a breeding up program and the Sovereign Registry is entirely separate from the AHCA Herdbook (fullblood registry). The registration papers look different and state the animal is a crossbred.
Records on the Highland cattle first brought into this country from Canada and Scotland are rather obscure due to the absence of a U.S. registry prior to 1948. We know there were small importations made of Highlands between 1880 through the 1920’s. Mainly due to western cattlemen looking to replace or cross breed for hardiness to their herds of predominately Texas cattle after the catastrophic winter of 1886-87, which was known as the Big Die-Up.
