Cows- what do I do?

[56FordGuy]

On my property, I have a 4 acre or so field that I recently put new fence around. It has had nothing in it yet. Long story short, someone has dumped around 5 cows in my field. Checked with the neighbors, nobody claims them. No visible brands, no tags.

I have no idea what to do with these animals, or who to even contact. They look healthy (though I know nothing about cattle), but I don't understand why someone would dump healthy cattle.

Ideas?

 

[dcyrilc]

On my property, I have a 4 acre or so field that I recently put new fence around. It has had nothing in it yet. Long story short, someone has dumped around 5 cows in my field. Checked with the neighbors, nobody claims them. No visible brands, no tags.

I have no idea what to do with these animals, or who to even contact. They look healthy (though I know nothing about cattle), but I don't understand why someone would dump healthy cattle.

Ideas?

Sounds like your in the cattle business now. How do you like your beef?

Seriously, I'm not sure what to say. I've never heard of that problem. As a cattle farmer, I know it's hard to find extra pasture sometimes, but I know I'ld never consider putting my cattle anywhere without permission of the owner. I'ld be afraid that I wouldn't be able to get them back.

Any pictures?

 

[Dutch445]

Maybe they are squatters!

hehe

 

[Taylortractornut]

Well name them Hamburger, Tbone,sirloin,and fillet and minon. It could be a case of someone stole the cows then got scared and dropped them . Could be some one had some loose ones and put them up on you. Hard to call that one let it ride a few days and see if some one comes looking . Dutch they arent squatters they are ploppers .

 

[radman1]

Did the cows get in from a neighboring pasture? My guess they got there by accident. Someone will probably be looking for them. They might be gone tommorrow or the next day if lost. Never heard of anyone just "dumping" cattle.

 

[OLD FARMER]

I have heard of it happening with horses in Wisconsin, can't afford to feed them anymore.

 

[dcyrilc]

I have heard of it happening with horses in Wisconsin, can't afford to feed them anymore.

Yea, but with cattle if you can't feed them then it's time they feed you.

 

[56FordGuy]

I believe they are escapees from somewhere. There are 6 contained in my field (all fence is up and good) and 4 outside the fence. I believe they got out from somewhere, and someone tried to contain them, but missed a few. I'd expect someone to have known something about them, though.

 

[dcyrilc]

I believe they are escapees from somewhere. There are 6 contained in my field (all fence is up and good) and 4 outside the fence. I believe they got out from somewhere, and someone tried to contain them, but missed a few. I'd expect someone to have known something about them, though.

Cattle can wander quite a ways when loose. Years ago, when our bull got out he made it several miles before animal control picked him up. Cost us $300 to bail him out of jail.:laughing:

I'ld recommend trying to get the other 4 into the pasture and then post some signs around at obvious places with your phone number. You might check with some of the local coffee shops too, they might have heard of someone loosing some cattle.

 

[dcyrilc]

To add to my last post...
When we lost our bull, I contacted the local country radio station. They put the word out over the air and it didn't take long before we had calls comming in telling us where he had been seen. Actually tracked him down pretty quickly after that.