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.