Photo of the Week: Highland cow perfectly at home in the snow

Snow presents no problem at all for a hardy breed like the Highland cow, as this Photo of the Week from Chloe Smith shows.

Chloe, a keen amateur photographer, took the photo on the family farm – Bwllfa Farm – set high above Aberdare in South Wales, farming at over 300m above sea level. 

The farm runs a small herd of Highland cattle, alongside a herd of Welsh Black cattle and a flock of 750 South Wales Mountain sheep – all breeds adapted well to the challenging hill conditions.

See also: Photo of the Week: Sheep shelter from the winter snow

© Chloe Smith

The Highlands were specifically chosen for their suitability to conservation grazing on the farm’s peat bogs. 

Chloe says: “Their hardiness, smaller frame and light footfall make them ideal for managing this sensitive landscape.”

To combine the conservation ethos with commercial viability on the farm, the Highland cows are crossed with a Limousin bull, with the calves sold as stirks.

Chloe not only helps run the farm, she also works full-time at McCartney’s Brecon Livestock Market, and still finds the time to take beautiful photos while going about her day.

If you’d like to send your weather or farming-related photos, you can upload your photos to the Farmlife Framed photo gallery.

And there is still time to enter our Christmas on the Farm photo competition, which closes on 31 December, for a chance to win prizes from Thatchers.