What it's like raisng cattle in Vegas!
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What It’s Like Raising a HighPark in Las Vegas: Fluff, Feed & Desert Farming Reality
aka: How I ended up with a literal teddy bear on hooves in the desert 😍🐮
You’ve seen the photos—those fluffy, fuzzy cows with bangs that could land a shampoo commercial. Yep, that’s the HighPark, a cross between a Highland and a White Park, and yes, they really are as magical as they look.
So what’s it like owning one in the middle of the Mojave Desert? Let me give you the scoop on the fluff, the fun, and the farm chores that come with raising cattle in Las Vegas.
🐮 First Things First: Why a HighPark?
HighParks are bred for looks, temperament, and hardiness. They’re known for their:
- Fluffy coats & unique coloring (photogenic AF)
- Calm, gentle personalities
- Manageable size (especially for homesteaders)
- Adaptability to different climates—with care
And let’s be honest… I wanted a cow that people could literally hug.
Enter: Johnny Cash, our licensed & insured cuddle steer. 🤎
☀️ Raising Cattle in the Desert = Extra TLC
Vegas is dry. Hot. Windy. Dusty. Raising cattle here is possible, but it takes intentional care. Here’s what it takes:
💦 1. Water, Water, and More Water
Cattle need LOTS of water—especially in the heat. A full-grown steer can drink 10–20+ gallons a day in summer.
✅ Pro Tips:
- Keep multiple water sources (tubs, automatic troughs)
- Check them morning and evening
- Clean weekly—algae grows fast in full sun
- Consider shaded water stations to keep temps cooler
🌾 2. Feeding in the Desert
There’s no lush green pasture here. Raising a HighPark (or any cow) in Las Vegas means you’ll be feeding daily—usually:
- Alfalfa, Bermuda, and Timothy - we mix these 3
- Grain or pellet feed (optional, depending on weight and use)
- Free-choice minerals or mineral blocks
💡 No pasture = no grazing = no skipping feed days.
🧂 3. Supplements & Minerals
Vegas soil isn’t rich in nutrients, and without natural grazing, you need to supplement smart.
What we give Johnny:
- Free-choice loose minerals (cattle-specific)
- Salt block or pink Himalayan mineral block
- Electrolytes in water during heatwaves
- Occasional ProBios paste for gut health
Talk to a local livestock vet or ag supply store to tailor a supplement plan for your animal’s age and breed.
🧼 4. Grooming Your Fluffy Cow
That shaggy coat is cute—but in Vegas, it needs maintenance.
- Brush daily (especially spring/summer as they shed)
- Fly spray and fly tags in warm months
- Keep shaded areas or misting stations to help regulate body temp, solar fans and swamp coolers are a must, too
- No, you don’t have to bathe them—but you can hose them down occasionally (ours loves it)
🧯 5. Shelter & Shade Are Critical
HighParks are built for cold weather—so summer in the Mojave needs countermeasures.
✅ What works:
- Large shaded areas (tarps, trees, lean-to shelters)
- Misters on timers
- Swamp coolers or large fans if you’ve got them
- Turnout only during cooler hours if the heat is intense
💩 6. Poop Happens—A Lot
Let’s be real: cows poop. Constantly. Daily cleanup keeps flies down and pasture clean.
If you’re in a residential or small farm setting, regular poop patrol is a must. Compost it, spread it, or give it to garden-loving neighbors!
🐄 What About Zoning?
Yes—you CAN legally own cattle in parts of Las Vegas—but zoning matters.
Before getting your own mini Highland, HighPark, or steer:
- Check your parcel zoning
- Call your jurisdiction and give your parcel number
- Confirm animal limits, shelter requirements, and space minimums
🧭 Not sure where to start? I help homestead-curious clients find livestock-friendly properties every day. Let’s find a cow-approved backyard together.
💛 Final Thoughts from Your Vegas Cowgirl
Raising a HighPark cow in Las Vegas is work—but it’s also pure joy. There’s nothing like seeing kids hug Johnny Cash’s fluffy neck, or watching him flop over for belly rubs.
It takes time, effort, feed deliveries, and a good hose—but if your dream includes mooing in the background and a four-legged cuddle machine in your yard, I say: go for it.
Got questions about cow care? Want to visit the fluffball himself? Or looking for a property zoned for livestock? Let’s chat!
#HighParkCow #VegasHomestead #MiniFarmLife #BackyardCattle #DesertRanch #CowCuddles #FarmFreshLiving