By Jess Oaks

joaks@torringtontelegram.com

GOSHEN COUNTY – Proud parents Julian and Phoebe welcomed their new bouncing and kicking ball of joy, Sterling, on Wednesday, January 1 at 1:03 p.m. in a barn on a little patch of heaven, located along the North Platte River. 

The little girl came into the world weighing a hearty 29 pounds and measuring 18 inches tall. She joins a half-brother, who was born earlier in December, at the same location. 

Julian, Phoebe and new baby Sterling are welcomed by a very proud owner, Jackie Weis and partner, Keith Peterson. According to Weis, Julian, a three-year-old Scottish Highland bull, came to the barn as a Christmas present from Keith in December 2023, where he was the first of the herd. A little over a month later, Phoebe, a two-year-old Scottish Highland heifer, found her new home on the river front property. Julian and Phoebe began their short courtship on January 28, 2024, and it wasn’t long before the pregnancy was confirmed. 

“My granddaughter and I went to check on her colt, Rose, and Phoebe was in labor at 10:47 a.m. We, my granddaughter Lennox, Keith and l, quickly went into action to get her pen ready and we had a baby in what seemed like a very short time,” Weis said. “Mom did need some assistance due to being her first calf but luckily, we were there and could help.”

According to Weis, the weather was perfect for a New Year’s birth. 

“She is a beautiful, silver color, which I never dreamed I would have. Both parents are Chocolate Dun. I named her Sterling. I feel [she’s] very deserving of the name. She was very small and had some difficulty in the beginning with nursing due to size, delivery and first time mom. We bottle fed and milked Mom for the first few days and have continued to supplement as needed to keep baby healthy,” Weis said. “Mom and baby are doing good. Baby is getting stronger by the day. She is still a tiny thing and as sweet as ever.”

There are seven colors of Scottish Highland cattle, Weis noted, black, dun, brindle, red, yellow, white and silver. Weis, who started with one bull over a year ago, fell in love with the breed. 

“Most common being red and rarest being white and silver. They are the oldest cattle breed in the world but had become rare for a period. They are very personable, charming, highly intelligent and easy keepers,” Weis remarked. “For those that may follow my TikTok videos, I might have an addiction to them. I now have seven adults and three calves and one more miniature calf to come in March.”

Although Weis admits she could sell her cows and/or calves for a nice piece of change, she can’t bear to part with them. 

“If I had the heart to sell them, I could make a lot of money, registered [Scottish] Highland cows/calves sell anywhere from $8,000 to $13,000, but sell them?” Weis said. “I just can’t.”