Why Are Two Remarkable Heifers Searching For Work?
posted on
January 27, 2025
Once upon a time, two heifers on Miles Smith Farm needed a job. These were lovely Belted Galloways. Because this breed is black with a broad, white stripe around their bellies, some call them "Oreo cookie" cows. But these girls, named Iris and Venus, weren't cows because they'd never had calves. Such a female is a heifer.
Eventually, Iris and Venus will be moms, and raising calves will be their jobs, but until then, they need work, and that's part of the reason my husband Bruce and I are wintering in Martha's Vineyard. It's probably the only place in the U.S.A. where females can compete as oxen.
"Ox" is not a breed or a species; it's an occupation, like baker, roofer, or doctor. The difference is that a woman or a man can be a doctor. Until now, the ox occupation has been reserved for steers (castrated bulls).
For over 12 years, my teams of oxen have pulled loads in competition at county fairs in New Hampshire, where females were not allowed to compete. I've asked judges why but never got a good reason. Maybe the only reason is tradition.
Martha's Vineyard didn't get the tradition memo and welcomes females who want to be oxen. I'm unsurprised; after all, the island found homes for immigrants who were not welcome in other places. That boat ride across the bay may be a filter for outdated traditions.
4H teamsters Skylar and Penny teach heifers Venus and Iris to work together in a yoke. Most New England County Fairs don't allow heifers (female bovines) to compete in pulling or obstacle competitions, which is why these bovines are on Martha's Vineyard, where heifers are allowed to compete.
The members of the 4H club, the Katama Cowpokes, are training Iris and Venus to compete as "working heifers" (when they are 4 years old, they can be called oxen) at the Vineyard Ag Fair in August. It might be the only fair in the country where heifers can compete with the boys, also called steers. So the Martha's Vineyard Katama Cowpokes are teaching these bovines how to work in a yoke. In our retirement, Bruce and I are wintering on the island (the only time housing is affordable) and work daily with these eager kids. Yes, we live on an island, but not in the Caribbean. It's warmer than Loudon, N.H., but it's still New England.
We are thrilled that island kids are breaking boundaries by working with heifers and even steers to help revive the New England oxen tradition. Most of our farms were built and cultivated by oxen. Isn't it time to honor the old ways and teach our youngsters to be responsible teamsters? I'm proud to be part of this revival and delighted to work with kids and cattle to help make it happen.
The Miles Smith Farm Store is closed
But we still have friendly Scottish Highland Cattle for sale
Carole Soule and husband Bruce Dawson own Miles Smith Farm in Loudon, N.H., which has downsized to about 15 head of cattle as Carole and Bruce edge into retirement. Cow Whisper Carole will offer cattle workshops to adults and children when they return to New Hampshire. If you want to work with Iris, Venus, or their bovine friends, email carole@soulecoaching.com or call 603-892-6863.