The benefits of hand feeding cattle...

So, today I don't have any picture, but a story to tell. Take from it what you wish. 

We have been hand feeding our cattle now, each afternoon we are on Aloncaws, with some lucerne or similar, and sometimes some molasses. Not a lot - the aim of the game is not to supplement the nutrition that the cattle are naturally getting from the grass, but to quieten them down and get them used to us. It allows us to safely work with them, be in the paddock with them, and get hands on them and check for ticks, or problems without the hassle of putting them through the race and head bale. This week gave us another reason to continue to do this. The feed costs were more than worth it, I can assure you. 

So, our boys decided to do the Harry Holt and headed next door to the neighbours place where there were plenty of girls to play with.  For the older ones amongst our readers, you might remember a certain Hilux ad where the bulls stole the Hilux. Pretty much, that's what our boys did, minus the Hilux! Mr Farmer headed off to retrieve them with a biscuit or two of lucerne, and 6 of them came back - leaving 3 there still.  Several afternoons of popping down to where we thought they were around the time we feed paid off  - they came when we called and had lucerne, and walked home with us (stopping about every 10-15 m for another taste of lucerne or molasses!!). Trust me when I say - that that situation alone has justified every penny spent on lucerne and molasses up til now. You just can't beat quiet cows with good temperament.  Not for big operators I guess, but there is a lot for knowing your cattle by name, and having them quiet enough to eat out of your hand. Makes mustering a whole lot simpler! Enjoy your week.