On February 21, 1982, a group of Highland cattle breeders from Minnesota met to discuss the formation of a regional association.

The purpose of the new association was to promote the breed, form a marketing unit, and have a local organization closer to home for an active group of Highland breeders. The nearest region at that time was the Mid-West Scotch Highland Association, a 10-12 hour drive for most of the Minnesota breeders.

One of the group’s main objectives to promote Highlands was and is to exhibit cattle at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul. This 12-day exhibition draws about 1.5 million people per year from Minnesota and surrounding states. Our members display several Highland cattle, usually at least one cow/calf pair. The young calves quickly become a favorite attraction in the cattle barn. They provide an opportunity for our volunteers to talk about Highlands to a lot of people, many of them now living in metropolitan areas, but with strong ties to growing up or visiting the many farms in the area. Many of our breeders saw their first Highlands at the Minnesota State Fair.

In 1994, the first Minnesota Highland Cattle Fun Show was organized and held at a location near St. Paul, MN. This has turned out to be a popular late fall show attracting 60-70 Highlands each year and a good audience. The emphasis is on family involvement and we encourage our youth to work with a Highland during the summer and then show that animal in Youth Showmanship competition. In 1998, this show was designated a super point show by AHCA. Exhibitors earn points for placement of their animals in the competition. The points earned by each animal are added to points earned in other AHCA sanctioned shows during the year. National winners are announced and receive awards at the annual AHCA meeting. In 1999, a Youth Show division was added in which the animal exhibited must be owned, cared for, and shown by the youth. See the NCHCA Members page for the show dates for this year.

In 1995 our name was changed to the Minnesota Highland Cattle Association in concert with the national association’s decision to drop the Scotch from their name. In 1999 we voted to change our name to North Central Highland Cattle Association to reflect the regional location of our members and area which we serve. As of April, 2009, we currently have almost 100 members from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and New York.