Highland Stock Farms about us

"They have made their way by the way they are made" was the slogan used by the Matthews Music House promotional brochures back in 1896 when the business was founded in Lincoln, Nebraska. Over a century later, this slogan is as meaningful describing the Highland Stock Farms seedstock program as it was back then describing the Matthews Upright Baby Grand Pianos. The name Matthews or the prefix Highland has meant quality, honesty, and integrity whether attributed to Pianos or Angus and Limousin cattle.

The first quarter of the 20th century brought new opportunity, growth and prosperity for the Matthews family and the piano industry, Matthews pianos were shipped throughout the world. Then, in 1932, in the height of the depression with the piano business sagging Charles Matthews purchased Highland Stock Farms just west of Calgary towards the Canadian Rockies. Highland Stock Farms consisted of 1120 acres and soon after its purchase, Charles acquired his first Angus cattle from his father-in-law, F.R. Cathro.

The second generation of Highland Stock Farms was Donald C. Matthews born in 1918. In 1937 D.C Matthews enrolled at the University of Alberta to study agriculture. And in 1939, found himself in Europe serving in World War II. While in the service D.C. married his British bride, Jean and returned to Calgary. He re-enrolled at the U of A in 1945 to finish his agriculture degree. Soon after, son Robert was born and D.C. and his family left Calgary for one year to attend Iowa State University to earn his Masters degree in animal breeding. In 1948, D.C. and his family returned to Calgary and settled at Highland Stock Farms.

With D.C. taking an active role in the management of Highland Stock Farms, the operation soon became universally respected as a superior Angus seedstock nursery. Highland Stock Farms emerged as a force in the show ring in Canada and for or over 30 years, Highland Angus breeding stock have been exported throughout the world.

Highland Stock Farms has been active in the Limousin breed since the very first cattle were imported from France. The first import arrived at the farm in 1971 (Futee). In 1972 the first Highland Limousin animal was sold at auction to Derochie-Henuset for $19,000 - certainly significant when considering this was a 4 month old heifer calf. One year later, another first - an embryo calf was born marking it as one of the first successful embryo transfers in North America.

In 2005 the Highland homestead was sold and is now being operated out of two locations. Rob along with his wife Marci and daughters Amanda and Laura are located south west of Bragg Creek, Alberta and run 40 head of Limousin cows on 230 acres.

Rob's son Tim has taken over the bulk of the management of Highland Stock Farms that is now located 10 miles west of Olds, Alberta. Tim, Kim and his daughters Cassie and Caitlyn operate on 1500 acres of land and run over 300 cows. Among these are Purebred Red and Black Limousin, Purebred Angus, a select group of Purebred Simmentals, as well as a group of Angus-x commercial females.

Their slogan for the products they create is the same today as it was over a century ago. "They have made their way by the way they are made."