Written by Jesse Rohloff
At Rohloff Ranch Highlands, we're discovering that showing cattle is about much more than winning ribbons. It's about dedication, education, relationships, and a deeper appreciation for the animals we raise.
When we started Rohloff Ranch Highlands, our primary goal was to raise exceptional, purebred, AHCA-registered Scottish Highland cattle. We focused on quality genetics, responsible breeding, and developing a herd that represents the best characteristics of this remarkable breed.
As our herd has grown, so has our interest in competitive cattle showing.
What began as an opportunity to showcase our animals has quickly become one of the most educational and rewarding aspects of operating our ranch.
And we've learned something important: there's a tremendous difference between raising beautiful cattle and preparing cattle to compete in the show ring.
Scottish Highlands are naturally impressive animals. Their long, flowing coats, distinctive horns, and unmistakable appearance make them stand out in any pasture.
But competitive showing involves much more than appearance.
Judges evaluate structural correctness, balance, muscling, breed characteristics, and overall presentation. An animal's movement, condition, and behavior in the ring can all influence how it places.
Preparing a Highland for competition requires attention to several important areas:
Nutrition and conditioning: Developing appropriate body condition through balanced feeding and careful management.
Halter training: Teaching cattle to lead, stand, and respond calmly to their handlers.
Grooming and fitting: Washing, brushing, clipping, and preparing the Highland's distinctive coat to highlight its natural qualities.
Showmanship: Developing the skills and confidence needed to present an animal effectively to a judge.
These are skills that take time, patience, and plenty of practice.
Our family had the opportunity to participate in the 2026 Maryland State Fair, where Emilia showed two of our Highlands, Siobahn and Ember.
Both animals earned second-place finishes in their respective classes, an exciting accomplishment for our young ranch.
Even more rewarding was watching Emilia develop confidence in the show ring and take pride in the animals she had spent so much time working with.
We continued our education at the Keystone International Livestock Exposition in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
This time, rather than bringing our own cattle, Emilia had the wonderful opportunity to show a heifer belonging to Howling Springs Farm, an established Highland operation with extensive show experience.
With their mentorship and guidance, Emilia won her showmanship division!
It was a proud moment for our family, but perhaps the greatest reward was the opportunity to learn from experienced breeders who have spent years developing competitive Highland cattle.
One of the most encouraging discoveries we've made is just how supportive the Highland cattle community can be.
At Keystone, we had the opportunity to observe firsthand how experienced exhibitors approach feeding programs, grooming, clipping, fitting, and show preparation.
We came home with a much better understanding of the areas where our own program needs improvement.
That's part of what makes showing cattle so valuable. It challenges us to evaluate our animals objectively, recognize our weaknesses, and continually improve our breeding and management practices.
We are especially grateful to Howling Springs Farm for their generosity, mentorship, and willingness to share their knowledge.
For our family, cattle showing has become about much more than competition.
It's an opportunity for our children to develop responsibility, patience, confidence, and an appreciation for agriculture.
It's also helping us become better cattle breeders.
Every show provides an opportunity to compare our animals with others, study different bloodlines, learn from experienced judges, and better understand the characteristics that define an exceptional Scottish Highland.
As we look toward future competitions, including larger regional and national shows, our goal isn't simply to collect ribbons.
Our goal is to develop a herd worthy of competing with the best.
We know we have plenty to learn, but that's part of the excitement.
We're proud of what our family and our Highlands have accomplished so far, and we're even more excited about what's ahead.
There will undoubtedly be challenges, disappointing placements, and lessons learned the hard way. But there will also be friendships, memorable experiences, and opportunities to watch our children grow alongside the animals they love.
At Rohloff Ranch Highlands, we believe the pursuit of excellence is a journey, not a destination.
And we're just getting started.
Follow our journey at RohloffRanch.com as we continue raising, training, and showing purebred Scottish Highland cattle on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Published: October 08, 2026