The cows
Attentive, caring and protective mothers.
Family farm • Since 1996
A family story
A family adventure born from a love of animals, now shared with around 70 Highland Cattle living across our pastures near Malmedy.
Our story
From sheep to Highland Cattle
At first, a few sheep naturally kept our meadows in check. Over time, however, the grass grew faster than our small flock could graze it.
During a visit to Bitburg, we discovered Highland Cattle. Their rugged appearance, calm nature and unique character immediately won us over.
A few weeks later, our first cow, Raphaela vom Wiesental, arrived. She was in calf with Reba and accompanied by her calf Rejane.
That was the beginning of a family adventure that continues today with a herd of around 70 animals.
Our animals
Animals with individual character
We favour calm, well-balanced animals. Regular, attentive care helps us build trust with the herd while always respecting the natural bond between cows and their calves.
The bulls
Calm, hardy and carefully selected.
The calves
Curious, endearing and raised alongside the herd.
Our environment
Pastures around Malmedy
Our Highland Cattle graze on several pastures across the region and also help maintain a number of natural areas.
Their hardiness and extensive way of life make them valuable partners in preserving open, diverse landscapes.
The herd
One large family across several pastures
Our herd now numbers around 70 Highland Cattle.
Rather than living as one large group, our animals are spread across several pastures around Malmedy.
Each group enjoys a calm environment that supports their welfare while allowing us to keep a close eye on every animal.
Our first Highland
Raphaela
Where it all began
Raphaela arrived in 1996 as the first Highland Cow on the farm. Gentle, trusting and at ease with people, she became the founder of our herd.
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Originally, we were not really looking for cattle. We were looking for a natural way to maintain our meadows.
We first encountered Highland Cattle at an agricultural show in Bitburg in 1996. Their long coats, elegant horns and calm nature immediately made an impression. Their hardiness particularly appealed to us: they could live outdoors all year round without a barn, which suited our pastures perfectly.
Curiosity quickly turned into a decision. That same year we bought our first Highland Cow, Raphaela. She was in calf with Reba and accompanied by her calf Rejane. Without realising it, we had begun an adventure that would profoundly shape our lives.
Raphaela was not a large cow. She was small and fine-boned, but her gentle nature made her exceptional. She trusted people completely and approached them with great calm. Children could even sit on her back while she stood patiently still, as though she understood the happiness she was giving them.
She especially loved being brushed. As soon as the brush appeared, she seemed to savour every moment. For her it was not merely grooming, but a genuine moment of affection.
Raphaela stayed with us for eighteen years. Year after year she gave us a healthy calf and became the true founder of our herd. Many descendants came from her line, and even today one of Raphaela’s great-great-great-granddaughters lives in our pastures.
The champion
Ginger
The champion chosen by the heart
With her beautiful brindle coat and exceptional nature, Ginger won our hearts before we even knew she had taken first prize at a major show in Germany.
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It all began at a Highland Cattle show in Meschede, Germany. These events were always a chance to discover magnificent animals, meet other breeders and share the same passion.
Among the many Highlands there that day, one young heifer immediately caught our eye. Her brindle coat, blending warm red with fine black stripes, gave her a unique appearance. Her name was Ginger von der Rehhecke.
Won over by her beauty and elegance, we decided to bid at the auction. A few moments later, Ginger officially joined our farm.
The surprise came just before we left. As we were preparing to leave the show, we were handed a trophy. Only then did we discover that Ginger had just been named the finest Highland Cattle at the event. We had not chosen her because she was a champion; we had simply fallen for her. The award only made the moment even more memorable.
Ginger quickly proved to be far more than a prize-winning cow. Calm, gentle and very close to people, she won over everyone who met her. Her kindness matched her beauty.
Over the years, Ginger gave us many healthy calves. Several of her great-grandchildren still live in our herd today. In them we recognise traits that made Ginger so distinctive: a familiar expression, a remarkable coat or the same peaceful nature that made her so endearing.
A herd favourite
Ulla
A cow no one could forget
Large, calm and full of character, Ulla left her mark on our farm through her presence, kindness and descendants.
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Sometimes the loveliest stories begin with a goodbye. That was the case with Ulrika, a magnificent grey Highland Cow we had bought from a breeder friend. Her rare coat and peaceful temperament made her truly exceptional.
One day, a visitor immediately fell under her spell. After much thought, we agreed to part with Ulrika, though it was not easy. Fortunately, a part of her remained with us: her daughter Ulla.
Over the years, Ulla grew into an imposing Highland Cow — powerful, self-assured and very close to people. When we entered the pasture, she was almost always the first to come and meet us, as if to welcome us.
Ulla also had a mind of her own. Whenever the trailer appeared in the yard, our brave greeter suddenly became the fastest animal in the herd and preferred to observe events from a safe distance.
When it was time to change pastures, however, she knew exactly what she wanted. We would often find her waiting resolutely by the gate for us to let her through.
Ulla was with us for eighteen years. Her loss left a large gap, but her story continues through descendants that still live on our farm today.
The gentle one
Star
A calm presence felt across the herd
Star arrived from the Sauerland with several half-sisters. She brought new blood to our herd, but above all a calmness and trust that stayed with everyone who knew her.
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Some Highland Cattle impress through their size, others through their long horns. Star left her mark on our farm through her extraordinary calmness.
She arrived in Chôdes as a young heifer from the Sauerland in Germany, together with four half-sisters from the von den Ruhrwiesen herd. She brought new blood to our herd, but above all a serenity that could be felt from her first days here.
Star placed exceptional trust in people. She approached everyone naturally, as though she had always been part of the family. Even after becoming a mother, she kept her peaceful temperament. While many cows are particularly watchful after a calf is born, Star remained calm and seemed to know that her young were safe.
That calmness also seemed to pass to her descendants. One of her sons became memorable for a very different reason…
During his first months, he developed a habit of slipping beneath the fence to rest in our neighbour’s garden. While we searched for him in the pasture, he would be peacefully enjoying his favourite patch of greenery as though it had always belonged to him.
We regularly had to escort him back to the herd, a task he never seemed especially keen on. His expression almost said: “Why go back? I am perfectly comfortable here!”
Fortunately, our neighbour greeted these visits with great humour. The little adventurer soon became a familiar garden guest and gave us plenty of smiles and stories along the way.
In the media
Press & features
Over the years, our farm has featured in several reports and articles about Highland Cattle and their role in maintaining the landscapes of our region.
RTBF · 2021
Sous la neige et malgré le gel, les Highland de Malmedy sont pourtant heureuses
A French-language article about our Highland Cattle during winter.
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L'Avenir · 2021
Des vaches Highlands dans les neiges du toit de la Belgique
A meeting with Toni Heinen and his Highland Cattle in the snowy landscapes of the region.
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L'Avenir · 2021
Les Highlands, seules vaches encore dans le froid
A closer look at the breed’s hardiness and the herd’s life in winter.
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Vedia · 2021
Des vaches écossaises, heureuses, les sabots dans la neige
A French-language feature following the herd in its winter environment.
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Get in touch
Interested in one of our animals?
We’ll be happy to answer your questions and talk it through with you.