CAROL'S COWS Ferndale, Washington

Fullblood Lowline Angus.


Short, stout, efficient beef suitable for small acreage ranchettes and "micro-farms."
Genetics selected for efficiency and temperment.
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The Basics

This page is designed for the cattle "newbie." If you are an "old rancher" from "way back when," then this page might not be of interest to you. If you are fairly new to cows and are thinking that a backyard beef or mini-ranch might be in your future..then read on. I suggest that you check your local farm store and library for books on raising beef. Joel Salatin has written some wonderful books on grassfed beef farming. Take some time to learn about what you are getting into. Having a good plan at the beginning will make life much easier for all involved.

Cattle Digestive System

One of the first things we need to understand is how cattle eat.
Cattle are "ruminants," which means they have a multi-compartment stomach. The Rumen, Reticulum, Omasum, and Abomasum. Whew! Which means they are specifically designed to process vast amounts of high fiber plant matter (roughage, grass, hay, salad!) into protein, nutrients, and energy. Cows "chew their cud."

In simple terms, cattle grab the food, give it a quick chew, swallow and go on to the next mouthful. Plant material is initially taken into the Rumen, where it is processed mechanically and exposed to bacteria than can break down cellulose. This is called foregut fermentation. The Reticulum allows the animal to regurgitate & reprocess the partially broken down matter. This is the "cud chewing" step. More finely chewed food is then passed to the Omasum, for further mechanical processing. The mass is finally passed to the true stomach, the Abomassum (which corresponds to the stomach of a mono-gastric mammal. That is you and me!) where the digestive enzyme lysozyme breaks down the bacteria so as to release nutrients. After passing through the intestines, what little is left comes out as organic fertilizer. I think ruminants are by far the most efficient food processors on the face of the earth!

Flight Zones

All animals have "flight zones." This is the individual animal's "personal space." How other animals (including humans) approach and enter that space will determine the reaction of the individual. If we understand how this works, we can better understand cattle behavior. If we move calmly among the cattle in the appropriate space and direction, we can move them where they need to go without any panic or stampeding. It is called flight zone for good reason! This link to Dr. Grandin's website has some nice video clips and diagrams explaining how we can work with the natural behavior of the animals rather than try to fight it. It is far more pleasant for all involved this way.

Social Structure

Cattle are herd animals. Which means they are happier in a group. Since cattle are prey animals, it makes sense to be in a group. Safety in numbers. If you have a single cow or steer, you may discover that he/she becomes bonded to you and your other animals as well. In a herd there is a Boss Cow. (Alpha Female.) She will taste the food first to see if it is acceptable. She will decide who is allowed to join the group. She will decide when and where to eat and drink and nap. She is just plain bossy! And sometimes greedy too. The bulls are mostly interested in procreation. That is their job. Mother cows are protective of the baby calves. Some more than others. All mothers will keep an eye out for all the calves. Just like an "old fashioned small town" human community. The calves will run and play and tease each other and the adults. Just like all children. It is interesting to observe that sometimes a calf will choose an older animal other than its mother to be his/her role model. The youngster will pick up mannerisms from the older one. And be seen following the older one around like a little kid pestering his big brother.

Reproduction

Female cattle come into estrus approximately every 21-24 days. The gestation period is approximately 9 months. If you have a bull onsite, nature will take care of everything. If not, the technology of Artificial Insemination will bring you a bull in a bottle. More precisely, a bull in a straw. There are many AI Services available. Check with your veterinarian or another cattle breeder for references. If she conceives, the heifer or cow will show progressive physical signs of pregnancy over the next few months. Larger abdomen and edema in the vulvar tissues. About 6-8 weeks prior to "due date" a heifer will show considerable development in her udder. This is commonly called "springing." An older, more experienced cow may not show any dramatic udder change until immediately before calving. Approximately 9 months after conception, the pregnant female may start acting differently than usual. Depending on her personality, she may get friendlier or more stand-offish. Her muscle tone around the tail head will be very loose. As she gets very close, she might moo more and be on the lookout for the "perfect place" to give birth. Some will give you lots of signs. Others will carry on with business as usual and just drop a calf when you are not looking. Suddenly, you take count and have an extra animal! Being on the prey side of the natural order makes it imperative that the birth is quick, the calf strong and able to get on its feet in minutes. The Lowline calves do just that! They are very hardy. They are standing in minutes and looking for that first meal. In the wild, calves must be ready to travel with the herd to safety within that first hour of life. Here is MJ Magic delivering her first calf. The newborn calves seem to have an uncontrollable urge to run and jump. They are the cutest little critters!

Predators

Anything "dog-like" is seen as a predator. Unruly domestic dogs really are the worst of all predators. These rogues have no fear of humans. They know human routines all to well and can take advantage of it. They will appear innocent in the light of day, but pack up and night and go on killing rampages. It is the thrill of the hunt, not hunger that motivates these beasts. Please, be aware of where your dog is when you are not watching him. If you are in an area where there are wild predators be aware of the danger at calving time. A cow is most vulnerable at birthing time. The cow is in a compromising position. I heard a horror story of coyotes yanking a barely born calf from its frantic mother. A terrible thought. Most herds will try to defend all of the offspring.
Be aware that your "pet" who was eating out of your hand yesterday, might turn into a VERY protective mother overnight. Be calm and patient and she will come back around. During this time be very careful of small children. Especially children your new mother is not familiar with. The cow can easily see the small size and quick movements of a child as "predatory behavior." She might attack in defense of her offspring.

Containment and Restraint

"Good fences make good neighbors."
That says it all right there. There are many styles of fencing on the market. Lowline Cattle are not known for their jumping abilities. But they can get down on their knees and reach under a fence for that always greener grass on the other side. A few of them will decide a fence is a good place to rub an itchy side or rear end. All in all, Lowlines are not as hard on fences as full size cattle. It is very easy to train them to respect electric fences. I have a solid perimeter of stock/field fence just as much for keeping dogs out as for keeping cattle in. I can cross fence with white tape electric. Cattle are very visual. "If it looks like a fence, it probably is one." Be sure that if you are using wire of any kind that it is as straight and taut as possible. We don't want anyone tangled up in wire. I am not a fan of barbed wire. It is dangerous. They do make a twisted strand barbless which works just as well. In my small paddock confinement areas I use something more rigid than field fence. I use either stock panels or welded wire hog panels.

When it is time to vaccinate or apply pesticide or wormer we need serious restraint. Large operators have "squeeze chutes." These are a bit spendy for a person with only a couple animals. This is the time that all of that petting and handling pays off. If you have trained the animal to halter she can be tied to a SOLID object. You can use a heavy duty gate or stock panel like a squeeze to pin her between the barn wall and the panel if need be. Your vet will appreciate this! Just remember that these animals are very strong and can hurt you. They might not intend to hurt you, but if they panic they will put themselves first and run over you. There are many publications available that discuss livestock restraint.

Other Sources of Information

University Cooperative Extension offices can be very helpful. Go online to find your State Agricultural University or look in your phonebook for the local Extension Office. Here in Washington it is WSU. We have an excellent network ofExtension Offices that offer classes and informational brochures to the public.
Farm stores usually have a collection of "how to" books on animal care. And of course the Public Library probably has some good books.

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