For more than 75 years, the American Highland Cattle Association has built and protected something of extraordinary value: a fullblood, pedigree-based registry that preserves the integrity of Highland cattle in America. Today, that value—and the investment each of you has made in your animals—is at risk.
This letter explains why.
- What Is at Stake
AHCA’s herdbook was established in 1948 and now includes more than 72,000 registered animals that meet AHCA’s stringent criteria. It is not simply a database—it is the foundation of the credibility, marketability, and long-term value of AHCA-registered cattle.
In 2019, the Heartland Highland Cattle Association (HHCA) separated from AHCA after seeking to register unpedigreed, “Highland-looking” cattle in the AHCA herdbook. AHCA declined, consistent with its mission as a fullblood registry.
HHCA created its own registry.
In 2023, AHCA discovered that HHCA’s herdbook included large portions of AHCA pedigree information—much of it entered in a single day. Of the 4,788 animals listed in HHCA’s herdbook in October 2024, 1,922 were AHCA animals—more than five times the number of HHCA’s own “H” registered animals.
This is not incidental overlap. It reflects systematic copying of AHCA pedigree data.
AHCA’s herdbook is copyrighted. More importantly, it represents decades of careful breeding decisions and member investment. When another registry incorporates that pedigree information into its own herdbook, it captures the value created by AHCA members—without having built that value itself.
- Why This Matters to You
AHCA registration has meaning because it reflects the carefully chosen criteria AHCA established for its registry:
- documented fullblood lineage;
- generations of verified breeding; and
- a registry built on breeding registered AHCA cattle to registered AHCA cattle.
If another registry relies on AHCA pedigree data to build its herdbook—while also registering animals that do not meet AHCA’s standards—it risks diluting the distinct value of AHCA animals in the marketplace.
This is not about competition. AHCA has no objection to another organization building its own registry.
But building a registry by reproducing decades of AHCA pedigree work undermines the integrity and market distinction that AHCA members depend upon.
Your cattle’s value is directly tied to the credibility of the AHCA herdbook. Protecting that integrity is a responsibility of your Board.
- AHCA’s Response
To protect the herdbook and its members:
- AHCA secured a federal copyright registration for its herdbook.
- AHCA retained outside counsel.
- AHCA issued a cease-and-desist letter requesting that HHCA stop using AHCA pedigree data, registration numbers, naming conventions, and related information in its herdbook, on its website, and in its materials.
Over the past year, AHCA attempted to resolve this matter without litigation. HHCA initially agreed to several corrective steps, including ceasing use of AHCA registration numbers and removing certain references to AHCA.
Based on those representations, AHCA prepared a Memorandum of Understanding that would have allowed both organizations to move forward.
HHCA later withdrew its prior commitments, retained new counsel, and refused further negotiation. As of this writing, the matter remains unresolved. (For those of you interested in reviewing the correspondence between AHCA and HHCA, please see the Addendum attached.)
- The Bottom Line
AHCA would prefer resolution. Litigation is costly and time-consuming.
But failing to act would allow continued use of AHCA’s pedigree work in a way that risks diluting the value of AHCA registration—and the investment each member has made in their cattle.
This is about protecting:
- the integrity of the Highland breed in America;
- the credibility of AHCA registration;
- the long-term market value of AHCA animals; and
- the 78-year legacy built by AHCA members.
Your Board remains committed to resolving this matter responsibly, but also firmly. Protecting the herdbook protects you.
Addendum
The following is a timeline of the correspondence between AHCA and HHCA. Clicking the link following each entry will take you to the corresponding communication between counsel.
June 20, 2024 – AHCA was granted a copyright of its Herdbook. (Copyright of Herdbook)
February 10, 2025 – AHCA issued a cease-and-desist letter requesting that HHCA confirm by February 24 that it would:
- Stop scraping data from the AHCA Registry
- Stop using AHCA naming conventions and registration numbers
- Stop using AHCA progeny information
February 21, 2025 – HHCA retained legal counsel.
March 6, 2025 – AHCA outlined specific corrective actions required to resolve the dispute, including removal of AHCA naming conventions, herd letters, tattoo tracking conventions, registration numbers, pedigree information, and references or links to the AHCA herdbook, and cessation of data scraping.
March 18, 2025 – HHCA agreed to stop using AHCA registration numbers and to cease scraping data, but refused to stop using AHCA herd letters, tattoos, and names. (Letter from HHCA Counsel)
April 3, 2025 – AHCA responded, reiterating that AHCA herd letters, tattoos, and naming conventions are proprietary and unique to AHCA. (AHCA letter to HHCA counsel)
April 24, 2025 – HHCA reaffirmed its refusal to discontinue use of AHCA herd letters, tattoos, and names, while maintaining agreement on registration numbers and scraping. (HHCA response to April 3 letter)
May 23, 2025 – AHCA asserted that HHCA’s “grading up” practices—using AHCA-registered cattle to elevate HHCA cattle—constitute unfair misappropriation of AHCA’s business value under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. (AHCA response to April 24 letter)
June 18, 2025 – HHCA agreed to remove references to AHCA from its website, rules, and handbook, and to stop considering AHCA registration when classifying animals in its registry. HHCA also agreed to require its own application forms rather than accepting registrations from other registries. HHCA, however, refused to remove previously entered AHCA-related information from its registry. (HHCA response to May 23 letter)
August 1, 2025 – Based on HHCA’s stated agreements, AHCA sent a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to resolve the matter and avoid further legal action. (MOU)
August 22, 2025 – HHCA proposed revisions to the MOU that introduced new conditions and language suggesting improper equivalency between the parties. (HHCA proposed revisions to MOU)
October 30, 2025 – AHCA rejected the added provisions and reaffirmed that the MOU must reflect the terms previously agreed upon. (AHCA letter to HHCA) (MOU)
November 21, 2025 – AHCA received notification of federal copyright registration for its Certificate of Registration. (Certificate of Registration)
December 2, 2025 – After retaining new counsel, HHCA withdrew its prior commitments, accused AHCA of harassment, and threatened counterclaims. (HHCA letter from new counsel)
December 19, 2025 – AHCA attempted to re-engage in good-faith negotiations to finalize the MOU. (AHCA response to December 2 letter) (MOU)
January 14, 2026 – HHCA declined further discussion.