“We’ve always sold beef, usually halves and quarters,” said Jonathan Wetter, who owns Rainbow Raccoon Ranch southwest of Lake City with his wife, Stephanie. “Now we’re part of Heritage Highland Farms, which sources beef from three Iowa families who raise Scottish Highland cattle.”

Customers can purchase beef cuts of all kinds, from ribeye steaks to ground beef and pre-made burger patties, online at heritagehighlandfarms.com.

“Grass-fed, Highland beef is 30% leaner, on average, than corn-fed beef,” said Jonathan Wetter, whose cattle operation takes its name from the historic Rainbow Bridge, which is located nearby. “It doesn’t have the cap fat, but the meat is well marbled.”

(The fat cap on beef is a layer of white fat that runs along one side of a steak or roast. Marbling includes the white flecks of fat that affect the meat’s juiciness, tenderness, texture and flavor.)

-Submitted photo
Stephanie and Jonathan Wetter are shown on their farm, Rainbow Raccoon Ranch southwest of Lake City. “Grass-fed, Highland beef is 30% leaner, on average, than corn-fed beef,” said Jonathan Wetter, whose cattle operation takes its name from the historic Rainbow Bridge, which is located nearby.

While the Wetters began raising Scottish Highland cattle a few years ago as a hobby, their herd has expanded to 100-plus cattle. As they connected with other Scottish Highland producers, including Deardorff Highlands near Yale, Iowa, and Mud Ridge Ranch near Red Oak, Iowa, a new idea took root.

“We met these two families through the Heartland Highland Cattle Association,” said Stephanie Wetter, who also serves as director of animal welfare and sustainability at the National Pork Board.

“We discovered they were using the same sustainable ranching practices and were experiencing the same issues providing enough beef to meet demand, like we were. What if we teamed up to provide healthy Highland beef to our customers?”

The three families launched Heritage Highland Farms in March 2024. By working together to raise and finish more cattle, the families of Heritage Highland Farms can utilize a USDA-certified packing plant to allow for the sale of individual cuts of beef.

“The partnership has been a win-win for all involved,” said Stephanie Wetter, who noted that Heritage Highland Farms’ beef has been shipped to customers from coast to coast.

Great Scots! Highland cattle offer many advantages

An ancient breed, Scottish Highland cattle have withstood the test of time. They’re one of the oldest registered breeds of cattle, dating back to the 1880s. Scottish Highland cattle are raised primarily for their meat, which is lower in cholesterol than other types of beef.

In years past, Scottish Highland cattle caught the attention of the Livestock Conservancy, an organization devoted to protecting