While I've learnt the drawbacks of having ex showstock that are too quiet (they have lost their proximity response and balance point, so I have great trouble getting them out of the paddock!) I do aim to have quiet, calm, paddock approachable stock. Young stock wean off their mother with the entirely understandable urge to run away as fast as they can can from the peoples.
We aim to break this response down to close proximity workable, maybe touchable in a couple of ways while retaining 'workable' stock that will still drive and be musterable. We do this in a few ways. The first requires the patience of just sitting or standing still in the paddock and just letting stock come to you (not hard when you love being with your cattle!). Cattle are naturally curious animals and will eventually get close enough to come and sniff or lick you if you stay still and don't startle them.
The second is feed training. To this end we feed for reasons of topping up Winter feed as they enter 'yearlinghood' to maintain growth rates as pasture production slows, but also for temperament training. We introduce hay rings and the idea that the peoples bring food. As they get more used the being fed we move among them, getting closer over time and resulting in very mildly wary but not 'pet' stock.
I realise lots of Highland owners want pets, but that's not our aim as boutique Heritage Beef producers. This is part of our annual cycle, as always aiming to produce the best treated, happiest and highest quality cattle and therefore beef.
Sue & Paul
