Highland cows are having a moment.
The “hairy coos” are so popular that they caught Marie and Michel Tudino of Ferme Tudino in Saint-Anicet by surprise. The couple had planned to launch an agritourism business around their growing Highland cattle herd, but not for several years. Then, in January, a photographer asked to stage a photo shoot with their animals. After she posted the photos on social media and tagged the farm, bookings quickly filled up.
“It was by mistake,” said Marie. “In January, we had 115 followers, and they were just friends and family. After the first photos were posted, the numbers went up. Now, we are going to hit 3,000 followers,” she explained.
It has been nine months, and they are only just settling into their viral success. Now, the fall colours have turned, there are plans for Halloween photo shoots, and the Christmas season is already looking busy for their photogenic herd.
The couple started by asking for voluntary donations when visitors first began to arrive. They quickly moved to an online reservation system and fixed hourly rates for tours of the farm. People then began asking about merchandise. The Tudinos quickly brought their home-schooled children on board as young entrepreneurs. Together they developed a line of products, working mainly with local artisans and businesses that showcase their cows, their uniquely shaggy characteristics, and their creative names.
People regularly travel long distances to hang out with the long-horned but very social beasts. They have welcomed visitors from as far away as Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Gatineau, Trois-Rivières, Lac Mégantic, and Montreal.
Visitors are encouraged to touch, interact with, and ask questions about the animals. “We brush them, we talk, and we have fun,” said Marie, who notes that while many want photographs, some people come just to be near the cows. “It’s an animal that really draws you in. So, you have to be present. You have to take the time to check on them, stay alert. You can’t be on your phone, and you can’t get distracted,” she explained, while suggesting that some of their clients are really looking for a grounding experience.
The couple currently have 14 Highland cows, chickens, and ducks, with big plans to expand their herd. The goal is to eventually include more animals, including Mangalitza pigs and other hardy species. The educational aspect of the farm is very important to the Tudino family, who admit they are sometimes taken aback by how removed some visitors are from agriculture. For example, many are surprised to learn the Highlands are beef cattle.
“There is a demand,” said Michel Tudino, who had been raising Highlands for several years before moving to the farm in Saint-Anicet. He likes the animals primarily for their ability to clear the land as foragers, and for producing lean, flavourful meat. The tourism aspect was an unexpected bonus that he hopes will allow him to more quickly concentrate full time on the farm.
In the meantime, the Tudinos are having a lot of fun building their business. The Highlands are certainly enjoying the spotlight.