A Chance to Cavort With Calves

Laney, the Scottish Highland cow, might not like me, but her calf, Peaches, is friendly and fun to watch. If your child loves animals, send them to my summer day camp, where they’ll do cool things and get to know Peaches. Sign up here: https://shorturl.at/xCIPQ 

We are still awaiting the birth of four more Scottish Highland calves, and they’ll soon be capering around the pastures. Laney, the cow, seemed to have gotten over our conflict when herding her and her calf, Peaches, into the holding pen. At least, I thought so.

A few days ago, Laney was calm and accepting until she sniffed my hand. Then, as if a light bulb went on in her head, she remembered me. She shook her long-horned head like the rotors in a washing machine and stepped toward me, a sure sign of aggression in a cow. Cows can hold a grudge.

I waved my arms, and she backed off, but she watches me warily, and I always carry a stick when in her pasture. But her daughter, Peaches, is a constant delight.

She dashes across the paddock with her best friend Susie, another white calf. They kick up their heels and bounce in joy as they circle their moms, then slide to a halt, turn, and sprint in the other direction. When tired, Peaches and Susie wander over to the fence to sniff my hand and accept my back scratches.

Sneak Attack

The other day, I led Virginia the cow and her calf, Essie, out to graze on the fast-growing grass in my backyard. My big, fat steer Cooper was there, using his long horns to scratch his butt. He didn’t see little Essie sneak up to sniff his rear leg. Have you ever been startled when a friend walks up behind you and touches your shoulder? That’s what happened to Cooper.

He -- and all his 1,400 pounds -- jumped in the air as he turned to see what had touched him. He hadn’t expected to see cute 75-pound Essie beside him. He snorted at the little pixie, and Essie scampered back to her mom while I laughed. Virginia, head down, eating fresh, green grass, didn’t seem to care. Even though Virginia seemed not to pay attention to Essie, a cow has a radar-accurate sense of where her calf is. When I want to find a calf sleeping in deep grass, I watch Mom, who will look in the calf’s direction giving away its hiding place.

Her giant “uncles” fascinate Essie, and she later returned to say “hi” to Cooper. He was ready for her advances this time and only lifted his rear leg in a warning. Essie took the hint and retreated.

An Amazing Summer Camp

I’m delighted to be among my cattle and want to share the joy with your child. At the Farm Day Camp, your child can love our critters, make cool new friends, and have fun running with the calves. 

We still have some spots available, so check out Summer Camp HERE.

Don’t worry, grumpy Laney won’t be part of the camp, but Peaches will.