Dealing with cows!

[Sportsman]

Being raised in the country and working on a farm from a young age it has never occurred to me to be frightened of cows or bullocks. I do tend to show bulls a bit of respect though.

[Mat Hillman]

Just wave a bottle of burger sauce at them!

 

Mat

[Phone]

Anderoo,

 

I'ts alway worked for me - bind their testicles with 20 lb Power Pro.

 

That bit of a new calf hidden in the grass told his father what you said.

 

 

 

 

You might know - it's French

 

 

Phone

Edited June 18, 2013 by Phone

[Guest bluedun]

I rarely have problems with cattle. They do often follow you but facing them or walking towards them shoos them away usually. Even bulls in a field of cows are usually okay - one lumbered away recently as I walked past. As others have said, cows with calves can be dangerous, especially if you have a dog.

 

I once had three frisky bullocks come running at me in the middle of a field at dusk, when I was laden with tackle and nowhere to escape to. I waved my arms and shouted which made them veer away. Made it to the gate where they waited for me, but just watched as I climbed over. Even then I think they were just following as cattle do, but that was nerve wracking.

 

I used to litter a cattle yard with fresh straw many years ago. They often got excited and charged around but never ran into me. However, it is best to avoid clearly belligerent or excitable cattle, especially in large groups. They are heavy and you don't want to bump into them.

[Poleaxe]

Coming from where I do I have encountered a lot of cattle but have never really had a problem. I can see how they would seem intimidating (and can definitely see their potential to do harm) but personally have never had issues. As a young boy we used to play 'corner a cow' (which sounds horrible now but as young lads seemed acceptable) and they would charge but never in the direction of ourselves, more to just get away.

 

Even so, I wouldn't recommend going anywhere near them if you're wary. An easily diffused situation with the above mentioned techniques would not be something I'd advise to try if cows put the willies up you.

[chesters1]

Its the cows that trample you but the bulls try to put the willies up you (wink)

[Peter Waller]

Dealing with bulls is simple, brace yourself, think of England and accept the inevitable!

 

It's the old cows that I have a problem with!

[RUDD]

^{Cows dont usually come anywhere near you, its the Bullocks and Heifers that show an interest.}

^{The worst thing you can do is run as they will chase you. Run towards them and they will run away but then turn and charge you. Running is not advised! Like others have said - stand still and make yourself look big - they just stand and stare back then walk at a normal pace.}

^{Bulls - not many farmers are stupid enough to put a dangerous bull in a field (they know if they have a dangerous one) with a public footpath running through.}

^{Bulls encountered will usually show no interest - just walk across at a normal pace, dont stare at them (just keep a beady eye out and for goodness sake dont speak Spanish. A bull in a field of cows or heifers has other things on its mind - in this situation take steps to avoid upsetting the females or the bull may take offence and in no circumstances whatsover must you speak Spanish, French or Italian.}

^{Dogs - only let off the lead if you know you can control the dog with voice/whistle commands and that it will not chase the cattle. If you cannot trust it to be let off lead DO NOT even attempt to go through the field as you put yourself at risk - Cattle do not like dogs fullstop.}

^{Oh by the way - I grew up in a village and two of my mates Dads were heardsmen. We learnt quickly how to deal with cattle as they had to be passed to get to the mill river by and a few of our other local haunts.}

^{On a final note - you will not taste better milk than directly out of the farms chilled milk tank before it is taken away to be processed.}

[Vagabond]

^{- you will not taste better milk than directly out of the farms chilled milk tank before it is taken away to be processed.}

Yep, before it is sanitised, pasteurised, homogenised, and deodorised.

 

When I lived on my uncle's farm, always had some at the morning milking. Delicious !

 

My first farm job (at 9 years old) was to go and collect the cows from the water-meadows and take them to the milking parlour. The first day I did it I thought it might be difficult, especially if the cows ran away. Fortunately they knew more about the scenario than I did, and marched to the parlour as soon as I opened the gate and shouted "Whoy-up!". They just let me think I was in charge !

 

If I had been born on the farm I would probably have been elected to the job at age 4 as were most farmers' children.

[Steve Walker]

Don't trust 'em, they're up to something!