About JCA Highlands
JCA Highlands was founded in 2015 by Jacob and Christi Abel with the purchase of their very first Highland cattle. Our journey began with what we fondly call “the Three Redheads” — Annie, Moo, and Belle — along with our very first steer. These foundation cows set the stage for what would become a passionate and dedicated Highland cattle breeding program.
In 2016, an exciting opportunity arose to expand our herd when we acquired LSR Starlight (Starry) and her calf, WCM Wendy. To our delight, Starry was also pregnant and delivered a beautiful white heifer, JCA Starbright (Fiona), on September 30, 2016 — the first Highland calf ever born on our farm. Fiona holds a special place in our hearts as a symbol of the growth of JCA Highlands.
As our herd grew, we faced a key decision — whether to utilize artificial insemination or invest in a herd sire. After months of research and searching, we found the perfect bull through the Heartland Highland Cattle Association classifieds. After speaking with the sellers and reviewing his exceptional pedigree, we welcomed H-L Duke (Duke) to our farm. Duke has proven to be a cornerstone of our program — not only is he incredibly docile, but he also consistently passes on his gentle temperament to his calves. Remarkably, 70% of his calves have been heifers, and he has produced outstanding offspring across all of our cows.
Jacob grew up on a farm until age 15, a background that has been invaluable in building and maintaining the infrastructure of JCA Highlands. From fencing both our property and adjacent leased pasture to constructing sheds and working on our barn, Jacob’s skills have kept our farm strong and functional. His experience in 4-H, showing market pigs and bucket calves, has also come full circle in his role with our Highlands.
Christi spent summers on her grandparents’ farm and grew up deeply involved in 4-H, especially in the dog project — a passion that evolved into breeding and showing AKC Labrador Retrievers and handling other breeds in conformation shows. Christi now manages the business, communication, and social media for JCA Highlands, sharing our story with fellow Highland enthusiasts.
Together, Jacob and Christi are committed to raising Highlands with exceptional pedigrees, conformation, soundness, and temperament. Our goal is to produce calves that are calm, biddable, true to breed standards, and beautiful to behold — Highland cattle we are proud to offer to others who share our love for this incredible breed.
