dove farm diaries

mending fences

The cows had a final fling, before they came in (very late) for the winter. They went running up the riverbank at dove farm, and broke through the fence at the end.

Not such a problem if there was nothing in the neighbouring field – Unfortunately, the neighbour’s cows, looking almost exactly the same as ours – were stamping about, waiting to have a party.

Result: one double-size herd of cows.

When a farmer gets one of  ‘those’ phonecalls – it makes your heart sink:

“your cows have got through the fence. They’re all mixed up with my cattle.”

You know there is a logistical and bureaucratic nightmare  ahead, as you dig out all the cattle passports, to verify which animals belong where, and find there’s at least  one animal that’s lost its ear tags…

Anyway, by nightfall, our lot had had enough, and came back through the gap in the fence, back down the riverbank, and home to their own fields at dove farm.

“Bless” said Jane, “Bloody animals” I said. Today I was hammering that fence within an inch of its life – so they don’t try that stunt again in the Spring.