Bulls are part of the family at McMoos

Running the Bulls with the girls (cows, heifers and calves) all year round makes them even more placid and easy to handle at McMoos. Even though it is against traditional farming practise at Lumont’e we run our Bulls with the girls all year round. And has proven to benefit us all in many ways.

Highland Bulls are typically the quieter of the breed gender, even when kept intact. Don’t ask me why but I have always found them easier to halter train and handle. Of course there is always the exception to the rule, but certainly in my experience a great deal easier to work with. Here at Lumont’e we breed for docility and nothing else makes the grade! 

I have never had any concerns about having my senior bulls sharing a paddock with even a very young calf. There is a few of reasons for this as well as what I have touched on already. 

1)      Highlands mature slowly with some heifers coming in to season only at 14 to 18 months of age and some older. This protects the young stock from any interest n them by the bulls.

2)      The cows once calved will cycle again usually 3 cycles (3 months) after the birth of their calf and this also gives them a break while feeding, without having the Bull pestering them.

3)      We decide on when we wean, on an individual basis depending on how the cow and calf are doing while feeding.

 Sure you could still have all those benefits by separating the Bull completely from the fold BUT how would you feel standing around for 3 months in a paddock on your own?  Grumpy? I bet!

We have neighbours with cows cycling close by but our Bulls don’t wander looking for company even when driven by natures urge.  Sure there can be a lot of noise but that’s it.

 We are convinced that this makes the Bulls happy and content. I have seen it in the way they groom of each other and keep company with the same cows. This shows that they do feel part of a family!

 Common sense must always be used when handling Bulls, but in most cases we know these boys from the time they are born and see them every day so we get to know each personality, and yes they are all different.   It would be fair to also say that the amount of exposure and contact they have with us does make them quieter and more accepting of us. 

You must always be aware that complacency is dangerous and you must never be that! There is always a time to make that call when you need to stand back and leave them alone. Or just to stand patiently and wait for them to move rather than push them. 

We really enjoy the boys, they all seem to have great personalities, always have plenty to say and all seem to be “The Fonz” when it comes to getting things done!  Too cool to Hurry.

Mitchy Moo McMoo wants a drink?

This is Mitchy Moo McMoo. He was born on Sunday Night 14th  around 9.30pm.

He has the strangest drinking or I should say lack of drinking probelm I have ever seen.

He does not know where to look for it!  We picked this ups fortunatly within the first 24 hours and we were able to take action and milk his mum and feed him by bottle. 

He makes all the action butts his mum, like all calf do trying to get the milk running BUT he does it to her bottom, her front leg, and pretty much anything but her udder!!!  We have even tried to get him on the teat by holding him there and squirting milk on his nose but no he wont have it.

Fortunately his mum is one of our quetiest girls and she will let us milk her and hold him while we feed him. She stands by mooing and watching closing licking him all the while.

Anyone else had this?  He is not blind. Maybe he just can't smell? Maybe he is not the sharpest tool in the shed. But I really do not know. Hes taking about 2 litres per feed now and slowly building strength and weight so thats a great outcome. It sure is special to get a cuddle with a 3 day old highland calf with his mum so close. (Normally they are soooo protective and you are taking a risk doing this)  Once again these magnificent animals show there very very special nature and trust with those they know.

Feeding Out in the Mud!

I've just been robbed again!!!

Mackay has this terrible habit of getting to the round bale before I get a chance to unload it and he trashes it. With a set of horns 1mtre between tips and total body weight of about 750kg The bale does not stand a chance. Its his way of getting extras I guess. The ground is muddy and sloopy here from 9 weeks of rain and very litlle let up. Turns to slop very quickly by the gates when you are running the quad and a 400KG bale every day.

Looks like the forcast is not much better for the weekend but here is hoping :)

Its time like this I,m glad the Highlands are so resistant to foot infections and other winter ailments from standing in wet all day. Never given me any problems. !

can't wait for Summer but always happy to have a decent set of wet gear to keep clean and dry.

Come on Spring!@!!!

Thank You Archie McMoo

This is a tribute to a real neat Highland Bull Called Archie McMoo. Archie died 3 weeks ago and we all miss him. Archie became ill early this year and despite more tests than I care to mention we were never able to determine exactly what was wrong. We tried hard and fought it with everything we could but unfortunalty we failed. The coldness of winter just appeared too much for him. Archie was a friendly quiet boy right from the start, his little star shone above the others because of his natural extinct to be friends with all humans. Even before being halter trained Archie would let you pat him and itch him in the paddock and quickly learnt his name. He won the heart of everyone one who meet him and for his eventual owners Pete and Lisa, they too were immediatly trapped with his charm. He liked his nuts, his peppermints and carrots. Lisa earned the nickname of "the Carrot Lady" always bringing Archie his carrots. The photos are of him as a wee calf and more recently in his cover to keep him warm over the winter. We often wondered why Archie was so friendly and what made him stand out above the others with his relaxed personality. We now have the answer "its genetic" Archies younger brother Walter is another Archie in so many ways. So here's to you Archie and most of all "Thanks for the time we had with you" You made a special impression in many peoples lives.

First time up!

Well here we go, trying this blog thing. I'm based in Whitemans Valley, NZ and breed Scottish Highland Cattle. What a magnificant breed they are. My web is www.mcmoos.co.nz.