​Etter Farms Highland Experience

Head Games is our 5 year old bull who was born on 8/6/2019 in Rolla, Missouri. He weighs about 2000 lbs and keeps growing! Head Games has the absolute best disposition as he is calm, gentle, so easy to work with, and he can sply one of his owners from anywhere on the farm! He loves treats and his favorite are apples, carrots, bread, and his favorite is a honeybun. In fact, he will stand right in front of you until you give him one. He loves to be brushed as often as possible. If Head Games sees any of the other bovine being brushed he will walk across the pasture to move them out of the way for his turn. He is the King of the pasture, for sure, and he's also the biggest baby. ​In 2023 he won 1st Place in a Virtual Highland Cattle Show for his 48-60 months class. He also won 2nd Place in the People's Choice category. We are very proud of him!

FTH Nugget moved from Kansas to Missouri before finding her way to us in Texas. She is the oldest cow at Etter Farms which means she is the matriarch. Nugget is the boss over all the other except for Head Games the bull. She leads the pecking order, which means she is first to eat, drink, be brushed, and any other activity where she can be first. She is an excellent mother to all her calves and has extraordinary patience with them.. Nugget watches very carefully over everyone and will gently let humans know she needs something. There are times she appears standoffish because she is so gentle. Montgomery is one of her calves that we sstill have and he is a very handsome black bull calf who is as gentle as his dame and sire. Unlike the other cow mothers on the farm, she always lets her alves take treats from the humans while the other cow mothers will try and take treats first. Nugget waits her turn.

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Gingersnap was born in 2017 in Rolla Missouri and she is the daughter of Grace. With Gingesnap's thick red hair and gray/blue eyes, she is the most curious of the cows. Anytime there is a project she will make her way over to investigate, and not leave until she is ready to. She uses a lot of different head signals to let others in the fold know she means business. Some may say she is a little bossy at times as she has decided to make sure the other cows stay in line. Gingersnap adores being brushed and has almost fallen asleep while enjoying being pampered. She is known around the farm as the one who will beg to be brushed and is not very patient when other cows are trying to participate. She is an excellent mother and is often found cooling off in the creek or pond. Gingersnap loves many treats including apples, strawberries, watermelon, alfalfa treats, and little cinnamon rolls.

Grace, affectionately known as Gracie, is one of our farm favorites. She was born on 10/16/2018 in Rolla, Missouri. Grace is smaller in stature than the other cows at Etter Farms, and is very gentle and easy going all the time. She loves to be brushed and is known for turning herself around so her backside is closest to you to be brushed the most! Gracie is also very smart and has figured outwe give the calves extra treats so when she see them gather around, she comes running to see what is going on! She is red with gray/blue eyes and has the longest hair of all of the bovine - during the winter her hair can reach 15 inches! She is the youngest cow and an excellent mother. When the other mothers were having their babies she would do everythng she could to be close to them to mother them too. We use to call her the babysitter until she has her own kids. One of the funniest things she does si when a calf is laying down to rest or sleep she would make them get up to go be closer to their mother. We will never know shy, but it's always interesting to watch. 

Gingerbread, also known as Baby Girl, was born on 7/13/2023,  a very hot day on Etter Farm - so much so that her mother had her in the mud near her favorite pond. A week after she was born we had to start bottle feeding her 2x a day  because her mother developed mastitis. She wanted to be in the big pasture so bad and would stand at the fence and call for her mother. Over time, she decided the humans were alright and she now consider sone of us her surrogate mother. She does get jealous if she sees us with the other calves her age. She wants all of the attention and all of the treats, much like a human child! Gingerbread loves the babies being born on the farm as well. She is considered Dunn as she looks chocolate/gray in color, with black eyes, and a patch of white hair beside her right horn. She likes to moo at the humans as we pass her, and she's known to run and catch up to us insisting we give her a treat! Gingerbread is extremely gentle and loves to be brushed and loved on. She is absolutely beautiful! 

​In a sunny corner of our farm, a sweet and shy Highland heifer named Honey Creek Georgia Rose quietly observes the world around her. With her stunning red coat and delicate features, she is a beauty to behold. As the niece of our beloved Lady Rose, Georgia Rose has big hooves to fill, but she has already stolen our hearts with her gentle and affectionate nature. Although she may take a little time to warm up to new people and experiences, once you have gained her trust, she will reward you with snuggles and nuzzles. Georgia Rose is still growing and learning but she is already showing signs of becoming a confident and loving young lady just like her Aunt Lady Rose. We are so excited to watch her blossom and see the wonderful things she will accomplish.

​Meet Mary Rose, the adorable little white Scottish Highland heifer who has stolen our hearts. With her sturdy full-bodied frame and a magnificent curly coat Mary Rose is a true delight. Her soft curly hair is a joy to behold and her gentle nature makes her a pleasure to be around. Whether she is frolicking in the fields or cuddling up for attention, Mary Rose is a constant source of joy and companionship not only for us, also Georgia Rose. We expect her to grow up to be a beautiful girl on our farm.

Rescued 3 years ago, this 22-year-old tiny donkey quickly became one of the most valued and loved creatures on our sun-kissed farm. With his heart of gold, he quickly became the self-appointed guardian of the baby calves. As soon as they are born, he stays near the mother and calf for days swatching andprotecting them from predators and harm.

As the calves frolic and play in the lush green fields, our loyal donkey keeps a steadfast pace, always within earshot of the tender bleats. With a soft nuzzle, he guides them toward the freshest grazing spots and shelters them from the warmth of the afternoon sun. If they wander too far away, he carefully marches them back to their mothers near the fold. His patient demeanor and wise guidance have earned the trust of the entire fold. The calves' mothers, too, have come to rely on his steadfast care, allowing them to graze peacefully while knowing their little ones are in capable hooves. Short Grub's sweet spirit brings joy and harmony to our farm reminding us that even the oldest and wisest among us can still surprise and inspire with their capacity for love and care. 

Another beloved member of our farm family seeking a different kind of attention is "Wide Track" who is our  rescued 21-year-old mini donkey. Another warm-hearted soul who craves affection and snuggles and he lets us know as soon as he sees us he wants attention. While his elder companion tends to the calves, this gentle soul yearns for human connection, eagerly approaching anyone who will scratch behind his ears or offer a soothing pat. His soft bray is an invitation to shower him with love and attention. His beautiful, weathered coat and wise eyes tell stories of countless sunny days and cozy nights, yet his spirit remains youthful and playful. He adores treats and playful banter, his ears perking up at the slitghtest whisper of his name. He is one of Etter Farms resident sweethearts, reminding us that love and comanionship know no age. As we lavish him with affection, he returns it  tenfold, his presence a testament to the enduring power of kindness and connection. Our two tiny donkeys fill our lives with joy and warmth.

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