Cows at Siloam Springs farm embrace Arkansas snow

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. — As much of Northwest Arkansas takes shelter from the extreme cold and snow, some local livestock seem unfazed by the frigid temperatures. Among them are Scottish Highland cattle, a breed known for its resilience in cold weather.

Justin Bacon, owner of Hug-A-Highland LLC, says his cattle are thriving in the wintry conditions.

“This weather doesn’t necessarily bother them,” Bacon said.

The snow-covered pasture is far from an inconvenience for these shaggy-coated animals. Instead, they embrace the elements, standing contentedly as they graze on hay. 

“I think non-agricultural people looking from the outside are like, ‘Oh, that’s so awful. They have to be out in those elements,’” Bacon said. “But as you can see, they love being out there.”

Bacon and his wife operate Hug-A-Highland on weekends in addition to their full-time jobs. Their business provides a unique opportunity for the community, offering therapeutic sessions where visitors can interact with the gentle, long-haired cattle — snow or shine.

“We knew that there was a need in this area. There’s nobody else in the area that does this kind of thing with Highland cattle, and we thought this would be a great benefit for the community,” Bacon said. 

While the cattle are well-suited for cold weather, Bacon still takes precautions to ensure their comfort.

“I do put straw under the barns, and those calves can crawl in there at night, and the cows will probably join them,” Bacon said. “It’s just a nice asset that we have here on the farm.”

The sessions offered by Hug-A-Highland have garnered positive feedback from visitors, many of whom return for repeat experiences.

“We have the photos and people that comment on our Facebook page after they leave the sessions thanking us how much it’s truly meant to them to come out and do this,” Bacon said. “I think the biggest testament to that is we’ve had, just since the fall, I think we’ve had three or four people that have repeated sessions already, and so I think right there tells you how enjoyable it has been for people”

Despite the cold, the Scottish Highland cattle of Hug-A-Highland continue to bring warmth to the hearts of visitors, proving that even in the harshest weather, their presence provides comfort to the community.