EN
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the performance of Scottish Highland cattle in Polish production systems. Research material consisted of the cattle’s performance records provided by the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Breeders and Producers. The data comprised the following traits: cow weight, height at withers and at sacrum, chest circumference, calf weight at calving and at 210th day, calving difficulties, calves stillborn and growth gains. In this study 495 calvings were examined. All calvings were described as “easy, natural, without the need for human assistance.” Similarly good results were observed with regard to calves stillborn: only 4 calves were lost. The studies revealed that the average weight of Highland calves at birth in 2007-2011 remained at a similar level (24 kg for heifers and 25 for bulls), but a decrease in growth gains of calves at the age of 210 days was noted (by over 200 g/day). This phenomenon may have been related to a decreased milk productivity of cows and to genetic factors.