People are commenting that farmers should put up notices when cattle with calves are in a field which has a public footpath. How would that work in Scotland with the 'right to roam'?
Actually, a simple web address with a contact and status feed could really help. Just plastered around fencing - and other items. There is likely to be something about to attach stickers branding to.
We've found countless injured animals while out walking. And it's hard to get in touch with farmers. I remember years back finding a sheep all caught up in barbed wire in the raging sun, and it looked as if it had been there for at least a day or two. The poor thing. I tried to free it, but couldn't.
Last year I found a sheep that appeared almost dead - likely dehydrated - and we had a bit of a game trying to track down local farmers.
Not to mention the cows and sheep that have escaped from local fields. We've even had cows grazing in a garden a couple of doors down. Most people are on-line these days, and even if not, you might be a phone call away from someone that is.
Local info as to where grazing animals are, can also be useful and educational.
Local villagers are pretty proactive in trying to help if they find an animal in distress. But there's always a bit of toing and froing trying to get a contact number.
People are commenting that farmers should put up notices when cattle with calves are in a field which has a public footpath. How would that work in Scotland with the 'right to roam'?
I know all the local farmers around here and have their permission to cross fields with or without livestock at my own risk and as long as I take care to close gates and don't disturb the stock. I am careful of the privilege, am always on high alert (because they move animals often). Presumably if you are exercising a Right to Roam off 'normal' paths and routes then the same caution applies - at your own risk, abide by the rules and be aware.
I do think there's a difference if your land straddles one of the main cross country walking routes, like the MacMillan Way, the Cotswold or Penine Way, or the main coast paths. These inevitably have people using them who are not 'local', so can't easily work out their own detours. Those who have these routes on their land suffer the most aggravation, I expect, which may be why they are often unhelpful.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I come from farming stock "THE COUNTRY CODE" anyone remember that? unfortunately people have forgotten and I don't believe it is ever taught any more so we have these odd occasions when people or there dogs get to close these animals will attack you to protect their young. Its simple give them a wide berth if they are on the footpath then you take a detour don't walk straight at them if you do they in all probability will come to investigate. Always keep one eye on them and keep your distance walk around them they won't bother you. Most of the farmers killed by cows paticuarily is not being attacked but getting crushed between the animal and usually a solid object wall, tractor, gate post. I have known of two people killed in this way over the years, and one other by a bull that unfortunately then escaped and had to be shot
"A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."
Round my parents home in Hampshire are several footpaths which go through fields of cows calves and the Bull (beef of course).
What people forget is if you say no livestock in fields with rights of access. then all livestock will have to be kept in barns 24/7 364. Cow deaths are rare, take responsibility act calmly and stop panicking about things. A quick look at statistics show 18 non farmworkers Have been killed in the last 15 years. and only one person has been killed without a dog being present.
29 people a year drown in the bath.. 5 a year are killed by bees/wasps.
I would have thought that essentially fields are for farmers to graze their cattle and earning their living. Not just for walkers to enjoy. Not putting cattle in the fields because the walkers want to cross a footpath is not exactly a reasonable request.
There is now a generally reasonable trust between farmers and walkers that has been Walkers often need a strong words to let them know about how much damage can be caused by their dogs not on the lead.
Most regular hillwalkers up here understand the way it works around livestock - it's the more 'casual' ones who are clueless, or think the world revolves around them. There are always notices on farm gates/fence crossings on estates re keeping dogs on leads, during lambing etc, but there's always the minority who think it doesn't apply to them. I remember being on group of hills in Glen Lyon and there was a guy who had a dog with him which was totally out of his control. There were sheep on the hill, although not lambs, but he should have had it on a lead. Cattle at calving time can be tootling on and around paths depending on the location, but if you head to a hill and do your homework [which you should ] you'll know the situation before you go. Many of our hills are located on huge estates, so sheep/cattle are present at all times of the year. The remote Munro in Glen Fyne is a prime example - the path through the glen to reach it goes through the farm and distillery. The heilan' coos frequent the path, but are never an issue if you just walk past them, although I do know of people who have gone that far [20 minutes] and turned back because they were too scared to go past! They're quite happy to pose as well...
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
We share a track with the farm next door and I regularly used to walk our old dog on it with the cows. Tom only put the cows on there when the calves were a bit older, and they all knew us. Never had any problems, but there was was one cow we nicknamed 'Evil' as she was rather temperamental (maybe just mental!) and we always avoided any confrontations with her, even when she didn't have a calf.
The neighbouring farmer puts out young stock every spring and they are full of curiosity when they see the dogs and come running up to the fence. My young dogs have had to learn to stay quiet and ignore them, but they often follow us along the fenceline; the dogs got quite spooked at first.. I keep the dogs on a very tight lead, as the fence is quite old and a bit wobbly in places and I don't want the cows getting too excited or it might fall down!
Posts
We've found countless injured animals while out walking. And it's hard to get in touch with farmers. I remember years back finding a sheep all caught up in barbed wire in the raging sun, and it looked as if it had been there for at least a day or two. The poor thing. I tried to free it, but couldn't.
Last year I found a sheep that appeared almost dead - likely dehydrated - and we had a bit of a game trying to track down local farmers.
Not to mention the cows and sheep that have escaped from local fields. We've even had cows grazing in a garden a couple of doors down. Most people are on-line these days, and even if not, you might be a phone call away from someone that is.
Local info as to where grazing animals are, can also be useful and educational.
Local villagers are pretty proactive in trying to help if they find an animal in distress. But there's always a bit of toing and froing trying to get a contact number.
I do think there's a difference if your land straddles one of the main cross country walking routes, like the MacMillan Way, the Cotswold or Penine Way, or the main coast paths. These inevitably have people using them who are not 'local', so can't easily work out their own detours. Those who have these routes on their land suffer the most aggravation, I expect, which may be why they are often unhelpful.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Its simple give them a wide berth if they are on the footpath then you take a detour don't walk straight at them if you do they in all probability will come to investigate.
Always keep one eye on them and keep your distance walk around them they won't bother you.
Most of the farmers killed by cows paticuarily is not being attacked but getting crushed between the animal and usually a solid object wall, tractor, gate post.
I have known of two people killed in this way over the years, and one other by a bull that unfortunately then escaped and had to be shot
Not putting cattle in the fields because the walkers want to cross a footpath is not exactly a reasonable request.
There is now a generally reasonable trust between farmers and walkers that has been Walkers often need a strong words to let them know about how much damage can be caused by their dogs not on the lead.
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
Cattle at calving time can be tootling on and around paths depending on the location, but if you head to a hill and do your homework [which you should ] you'll know the situation before you go. Many of our hills are located on huge estates, so sheep/cattle are present at all times of the year.
The remote Munro in Glen Fyne is a prime example - the path through the glen to reach it goes through the farm and distillery. The heilan' coos frequent the path, but are never an issue if you just walk past them, although I do know of people who have gone that far [20 minutes] and turned back because they were too scared to go past! They're quite happy to pose as well...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”