We got cattle today! Then they ESCAPED...

[@flyingkage]

"poultry is in fact a gateway drug to larger animals" XD I gotta agree on that.

[@AFFarms444]

😂, yes. 100%

[@heatheraldrich1156]

Haha seriously so true!

[@CaryKelly11]

Anybody wanna smoke a little poultry?

[@Fiona2254]

Yep. But I'll limit myself tp dwarf Nigerian goats. Way easier to deal with than cows lol

[@skullykittie9889]

All lies!! Hmmm? Noise you say? Oink? Excuse me that is not a pig in a dog costume.... /nudges door closed. Good day sir! I said good day!

[@JDseller1]

Well I have had cattle for close to sixty years now. There are some things you need to know/do. 1) Confine the cattle in your barn or a smaller pasture with a GOOD fence not electric fence. 2) Acclimate the cattle to you and your land/barn/pasture. This will take weeks not days. Definitely not hours. 3) Keep the side by side/dog too, away from them until they are used to one. It looked like the had NOT been around humans very much, let alone one riding in some thing noisy. 4) Keep your movements steady not hurried. Always talk softly/calm/steady to them as you walk around them or handle them. This way you do not startle them. (No Banging gates!!! LOL) 5) A highland breed is one of the harder ones to keep confined. They can be stubborn and will use their horns to tear up fence to get where they want. Your facing an uphill battle to keeping them confined with electric fence. Also their long hair helps insulate them from the electric fence too. 6) Out smart them, forget brute force. Start feeding them some sweet feed. Ground oats with molasses works well. Your idea of apples MIGHT work but I have not had much luck with that type of treat. Shortly you will be able to lead them with a bucket of sweet feed. Yes I said lead not chase. ( The reason I recommend sweetened oats to you is they are readily available as horse feed. About every farm supply place in the US will have sweet horse feed.) Example: We keep 100 brood cows year round. They get fed a few buckets of ground sweet feed everyday. I do not care if they are standing in waist deep grass, they get a "treat" every single day. We always feed them with white five gallon buckets. My wife or I can take an empty five gallon bucket and lead them where ever we want them to go. We have a JD Gator and they are used to us bringing them the sweet feed in it. So when they hear it they come running. A few ton of feed per year is cheap when we can easily check on them at anytime. So best of luck!!! Enjoy your cattle.

[@turps2433]

Underrated comment

[@diane9247]

GREAT list of suggestions!

[@swamp-yankee]

I just raise sheep, but I have a friend with highlands and highland crosses. Electric fencing is very effective on their farm. Theyve got high tensile perimeter and use temporary one wire temporary fences within the farm. They don't rip on the electric fencing because they don't enjoy shocks. From my experience with sheep it seems like even breeds with wild reputations from unhandled or mishandled flocks can be trained and contained with patience, and good management. I think his Highlands will work fine for the system he's trying to do once they get used to it and warm up to him.

[@alliechampagne1404]

@@swamp-yankee Key takeaway here? *HIGH TENSILE. An expertly installed high tensile perimeter works amazing for cattle. Panels for crowding & moving, and small areas for handling will be essential too. Not saying he needs to go all-in chute system right off, but I think eventually it'll be on the scene.

[@alliechampagne1404]

Excellent suggestions. 10/10!👍

[@accordionchick]

Morgan, just my thoughts...Animals (including cows) feel the humans excitement/anxiety etc. My recommendation is to get a lawn chair, a good book, some snacks for you and the apple basket for them and then go out and sit”near by” for several days, and let them get used to you as none being a threat. Have just a couple of words that you use to refer to them so they will see the “snacks” and come to you. Since they are free range cows, this could take you some time, but eventually you can get them to come on command. Maybe a small cowbell that says, I have snacks. But for now, just let them settle in (on their terms) and you be there to show them you are friend not foe. Ease Toby in slowly.

[@Katojana]

that was exactly my idea. like he did with the barn cats.

[@JohnP538]

They way they are all tightly packed together is their defensive mode. A bucket full of apples that you can rattle a little will work wonders. Cows need water to work their cud so you are going to need a stock tank out there.

[@cmel7841]

yup this works with most animals, I used to feed squirrels, chipmunks and birds this way out in the woods, just sit down, have a handfull of nuts and seeds and you would be surprised how many little critters come to visit. A moving human is a "predator"

[@bettyrickert7272]

Great advice 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@blaircox1589]

That and you didn't have a properly fenced paddock for their initial introduction. Electric fence is a learned psychological deterant. They didn't even know it was there, and if they got zapped going through, just made then run more. Anyhoo, my 2cents from recalling my grandfather's small beef farm. Round them up, get them secured settled and used to their surroundings. Grandpa would call them by hollering, 'co-boss! co-boss, co co co'. They would hear him and come running. Can be anything really, just consistent and easy.

[@connerdixon7648]

I’ve seen a couple of comments about feeding cattle “treat feed” so to say, and I can attest to that. My grandfather has about 20 head of cattle that I help him with, and having them grain trained (What we call it) makes it much easier. They spend their summer on pasture on a farm down the road, and we don’t work with them for up to weeks at a time during that time of year. I can walk out into that pasture anytime of day with a bucket of grain and call for them, and they come running. The calf’s and young heifers that aren’t trained yet will follow the older animals that get the drift. This isn’t an overnight thing. Animals we calve take up to 2 years to get onto it, and animals bought (like your situation) can take up to a year depending on where the animal came from. I’ve never worked with Highlanders, but even if you start now it will take you months to get them to the point where they will run to you no matter what. You already know that farming is a labour of love, and cattle are no exception. Just keep at it, all gets easier with time.

[@debrataylor4206]

Gotta add my 2¢ in. First, I'm not a farmer. My grandparents were small dairy farmers and I have a brother who has a few head of cattle. You need to train the cattle, just like you have trained the ducks. Bring treats (apples) and say "dinner time" or whatever, and give them the treat. Start moving further away and say your cue with the treat, and they will follow. Pretty soon, you can stand at the bottom of the pasture and yell your cue and they will come running. It worked for my grandfather and works for my brother. And that's my 2¢.

[@StAmander]

Came to say this, not a farmer, but generally speaking animals respond better to kindness and food better than more aggressive tactics. This isn't to say not to have an electric fence, but rather to create a bond between you and the cows where the cows feel safe around you (and the other animals). I've learned from rearing animals who were neglected, not properly trained, possibly abused and other behavioral issues, that the best and most effective way is to be loving, kind and patient with them. I've gotten to the point where animals that wouldn't listen to people, would listen to me and started being way calmer and better behaved.

[@saraschneider6781]

So true. I wonder what corny phrase he'll come up with.

[@lynnbetts4332]

My father would call his cows with a call that sounded like a cow bellowing. Sort of Hoooo-aaahhh. They would come running. These cows will be bit harder to train to food since they have never been given treats or cattle cube. Having some cube just as a treat is a great way to bucket train them to follow you anywhere.

[@katjordan3733]

@@StAmander You are SO right it takes time and consistency, bribery, and patience.

[@gillianmuspic2337]

@@katjordan3733 true. Nothing wrong with bribery if it is used with positivity to the 'bribee'

[@kayak1981]

I’m impressed by how you pulled yourself together and put the cattle first. Rock on!

[@rosebloodwater13]

Since you have a ranger I'd recommend putting whatever hay you're feeding them in the back and have a special call like you do for the various poultry. That way you don't have to chase them and can more easily move them where you need to. Fun fact ranchers in Africa have special songs for calling their herds passed down generation by generation. There's somewhere here on KZbin with a rancher who set up car wash looking brushes for his cattle to scratch themselves with that the cows LOVE.

[@janetyurkin822]

Are…* I’ve seen those. These are two posts I saw 1.Tom Pemberton Farm Life 2. is comic sup video There were a few others also.

[@werewolfwill7126]

there is a Swedish tradition as well it's called Kulning if you look it up its actually very beautiful

[@gensmith6661]

Yep! All my experiences working on farms, having a specific food call and a food vehicle, they will follow you, even without the food there (and especially when you don't want them to!)

[@susiek.johnson3923]

KABOOSSSSS 🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂🐃🐮

[@Ben-fk9ey]

This is 100% true. My Dad could call most of the heard to the gate with a specific call every day for milking.

[@mollydion8311]

I'm worried about your easygoing, sweet dog, Toby. He's not a cattle dog & he has no idea about being kicked in the head or gored. And all cattle kick! It's one foot out at the speed of light & then it's lights out for a dog, coyote or whoever. My uncle's German shepherd ran into a field of holsteins & was chased to death. Cattle are not easily intimidated.

[@roborat]

Yeah

[@lynneanthony168]

Seriously.....wow.

[@datraptor2506]

My dog has literally almost died five times, from cows and horses

[@BigGhilz]

Toby: "Wait so im no longer the biggest thing on the farm???"

[@silenceofdoom]

I wonder how the cows would learn to interact with Toby and the cats

[@candacesteiger5906]

@@silenceofdoom in my experiences with my grandparents dairy farm, the barn cats know how to keep a healthy perimeter around the cattle and don’t do anything stupid to risk a trampling. Cattle will easily trample small creatures…or even much bigger ones like people…when they’re startled or threatened by something unfamiliar/scary and cattle are pretty easily spooked. My dad fell off his horse in a pasture with a grumpy bull and had the horse not stood over top him and protected him the bull would have stomped him.

[@sylviamaresca8852]

@@candacesteiger5906 wow

[@stezi51]

This brings back memories😂. My husband, and his brother raised Angus and they would escape. We had electric and barb wire fences. They would get calls from neighbors saying they had broken out. My husband, a professor would be interrupted while in class and his brother, a federal judge would be interrupted while in court. So irritating. (And funny to me)

[@joshwinky6005]

Good for you man! Make the mistakes, learn the lessons, pay the stupid tax. Its how you really grow as a person and I respect you for being willing to take those lumps.

[@saraschneider6781]

At least his animals don't have to pay the stupid tax for him this time.

[@SeekingTheLoveThatGodMeans7648]

@@saraschneider6781 Cattle cared for with a conscience

[@travisz11]

Being an idiot should not be appreciated

[@queeny5613]

I love thia

[@richardsmith9609]

Lived on a farm where we usually had 60 to 80 head of cattle at any one time. Chased down several cows having trouble birthing and hooked the calves to a come-a-long to aid with delivery. I was with them every day and fed them on a daily basis with hay and feed. After awhile I swear they looked forward to my daily visits and if I didn't have that interaction with them they became nervous and unsettled. In the winter in Kentucky it gets very cold and I would use feeding time (hay) to walk among them and even speak to them in a calming voice and they would react to me by staying close by. I literally raised these cows as my friends and we developed a close relationship. It was tough to take part of the herd to market every Fall, believe me. So don't ever feel bad about treating animals with the love and respect they deserve. They are all God's creatures.

[@JohnTalbot-k6xi]

Better System of Cattle Fencing between paddocks and dedicated Cattle alleyways to move them with steel swinging gates -best of luck

[@Ben-fk9ey]

The best farmers are always the smaller ones, the mega industrial "farms" give the rest of us a bad name!

[@agentfrankvideos]

...God's tasty creatures !!!

[@catsj1767]

How cold??? Nebraska is - 30 in End of Jan - Feb 🥶 that’s when my furnace goes out

[@datraptor2506]

@@catsj1767 now try living in Canada when it’s -48 and the hinges on the doors are frozen shut

[@terryrussel3369]

JD Farmer has a hell of a lot of great practical basic advice ! Highlands also have a reputation for family oriented loyalty according to my dairyman uncle's friends. That fella and his wife rescued and now raises longhorns as a hobby (much bigger) and compare them temperamentally to the old heritage Scottish breed. Territorial, Very touchy about their calves, spooky but not afraid of a fight. Slow and Easy is the key ! Keep it Simple, Keep it Safe and YES use Bribery with sweet feed !!!

[@robertamorrison3462]

I like that you've chosen to work on gaining your cattle's trust. Since most of the contact they had with their last owner was just bringing them food, they really had no idea what you wanted. Bring them treats should help them see you in a positive way.

[@friendsgaming0776]

Well you picked a good breed of cattle. Highlanders are generally considered docile and non aggressive. They are also some of the most tolerant and the most intelligent and easily trainable breeds out there. So just keep working them. Handle as often as possible. Once they are comfortable with you up close go for physical handling. I have seen that the Highlander is a breed that adores being brushed and their fur can be brushed out for a use that is similar to wool.

[@navlisking]

who knew highlander cattle are such, cow-wards *bows profusely* , thank you, thank you ill be here all day

[@anneh1890]

Who knew they would be up to so much bull shit :]

[@navlisking]

@@anneh1890 that is borderline bull-ying

[@Flamme-Sanabi]

Please! Another one!

[@justacasual212]

yes YES! entertain me, jester!

[@alonelyz1981]

That was a very cow-medic comment

[@bobbidunn8512]

Big city girl here. Know nothing about farming except it's a lot of hard work - never ending. I appreciate your care for the animals and your humility regarding your learning curve. All the best to your endeavors.

[@steveruby2120]

Infrastructure is very important. What are you going to do if one of them need handled by a vet? You have no corral or ally way. A good strong holding corral would have been handy to hold the cattle, with hay and water available, for a week or two to settle them down and get them used to their new home and surroundings. Also the corral could have been used to train them to the electric fence. Just suggestions from my years of experience. I know most young people don't think us old farts know anything so use it how you wish. Good luck.

[@miditrax]

Agree - wire does not a corral make. Need strong horizontal wood or metal slats, plus cement-rooted poles, with feeding and water troughs inside. Similar reinforcements inside the barn, if you don't want them to break out and trash the place. Also consider a cattle chute, for vet visits and the like. Good luck with the herd.

[@alliechampagne1404]

💯💯💯

[@suzib777]

My dad raised Hereford cattle with one black Angus bull. We had only 40 acres, but that was divided into 4 pastures, 2 corrals, a loading chute and an area for my 4-H Angus. We rotated our cattle once a week and then irrigated the pasture where they just left. This was in the late 60's, so I'm sure things have changed, but it worked for my dad, except for the ups and downs of beef prices....

[@FirstLast-po8oz]

the fencing is for pasteurizing. I'd assume he has other plans for herding and corralling closer to the barn.

[@andrewrichards312]

"My farming has never gone down a traditional path." Hasn't the traditional path of farming (as opposed to modern factory farming) always been exceptional farming? A swan's legs are a chaotic mess below the water, but the end result above the water, is the appearance of pure grace.

[@baldo2211]

Morgan, I live in Brazil and we use horses for herding cows, here the terrain is quite irregular, so many times we have to herd them through rivers and rough pastures. I think that on your poultry farm, using a horse is a nice way to hearing the cows and avoid the terrain problem that the Atvs have, I also think that the cows have less stress with a horse than an Atvs, but this is just my thoughts. Good luck with your new stubborn friends.

[@lararabb8888]

A horse should only carry 20% of its weight. Morgan is not a small or light man. He'd have to have a large horse.

[@mpen4358]

Another adventure on the farm

[@aniquinstark4347]

@@lararabb8888 A donkey or a mule would work. They're not terribly expensive either, even fully trained ones.

[@notlinjr]

Horses would work out if the cows were already used to them. For awhile where he's keeping the animals is safe and with some time they're gonna get acclimated to the new place and with Morgan himself and it'll get easier to manage them.

[@diane9247]

@@notlinjr All good points!

[@sherirae]

Well done changing your tactics with the cows. Temple is awesome. There is a great movie about her. Good luck gaining the cows trust.

[@cottegegirl]

Once again, you have proved that you are a great storyteller, a bit like James Harriot, but from the farmer’s perspective. Good luck with the cows. I foresee many more interesting and entertaining tales.

[@thunderpup7899]

So true lol.

[@doggo999]

Oh, nice call out. Morgan, have you read Herriot? If you haven't, get thee to a book monger posthaste!

[@deborahlozano7134]

Today I finished reading- All Creatures Great and Small:)

[@dutchman7623]

@Neela Willis Me too. With the ducks he started with ducklings, but with cattle he got grown ups... trying to teach them his ways. That's going to be fun. I like Morgan very much, but...

[@Nyalbel]

"If a cow gets chocked it backs right back up" only apply to a cow sniffing on the wire and get a chock to the nose. If the cow is in panic or 'flee mode' they will run through no matter what if the wire can be broken. Been dealing with cattle for 13 years and breakouts are always a thing when summer comes.

[@mustafak.2101]

i can see morgan riding a horse moving his cattle from pasture to pasture in a few years.

[@raedaily9854]

Actually, he needs to think Switzerland, not Texas for what he wants to do. :)

[@veramae4098]

A Morgan horse? (An actual breed.)

[@mjg2008121]

Or a even donkey

[@rogerhuber3133]

@@veramae4098 Appropriate for Vermont! Great working horses.

[@elleschultz969]

I hope so!!

[@damonconley9437]

I gained a lot of respect for you in this video. Compassion for the animals is so important to remember, especially when the intent is to harvest. It can take a lot to step back and see that it’s not about you and your convenience when frustrated with anything lacking self awareness. Big props to you my man

[@lauraducot8183]

Cattle MUST have a strong, well made perimeter fence. They also need strong, solid small area fencing. I feel for you Morgan...you have a lot to learn about cattle. Good luck to you! Also....it takes two to herd cattle on a property new to them. You were right to ' let them settle'. But.. it could take several days for that to happen!

[@diane9247]

Right. I think his best bet is just to butter them up for awhile - as I think he'll do.

[@nancydeis7121]

The fact that this video exists says a lot about the man making it. I love your honesty, I love how you allow us in. You are a good man.

[@EthanKPugh0318]

The day we’ve all been waiting for

[@amandabessey4631]

Yesir

[@plankface]

For sure..

[@kayleenfeher4341]

I am not sure about other people but where I live we have cows that get out on the farm roads all of the time. These are cows behind barbed and electric fence. They are always testing the fence and if they get scared, nothing it going to stop them. Granted the cows out here are mostly Angus and Holstein but I am pretty sure that your hardy Highland cows are tough enough to go through just about anything. I doubt that the cows have ever seen a wolf and they have been around dogs. I wouldn't worry about them being afraid of Toby unless he is hell bent on chasing them around, then I would worry more about him than them.

[@Jackdough23]

Tell the truth pablo set them free

[@neenajaydon9641]

Honestly, I think any of us who have animals have had those days where we get stuck in our own goals and schedules rather than stepping back and seeing how we're being counterproductive in trying to force our animals to behave a certain way. You're absolutely right to step back, calm down, and go to the carrot (or in this case, apple) rather than the stick. I've never had cattle but horses and rabbits have taught me that animals of prey are very good at finding any way past you if you try to catch them!

[@kc4941]

It is so touching to see how you care and do what is best for the animals! I'm so glad you mentioned Temple Grandin. One person can make such a difference to bring compassion and eliminate suffering of the wonderful animals we share the Earth with.

[@stephenriley9084]

Morgan, As an experienced keeper of three chickens, I can say this. I bought my coop in 2016 and had been reading on and off for years before, all around the subject. The more I read, the more complicated everything seemed. But by watching KZbin videos it became apparent to me how simple it could be. In 2018 we got our three Light Sussex and they have been gardening and giving eggs since then. They look in great shape. They are in a secure garden. They have a safe coop, that we lock tight every night and the dog and two cats keep visitors at bay. There is a simple feeding regime of layers pellets, mixed grain and cracked corn. I use food grade diatomaceous earth to sanitise their accommodation and put it in their food periodically to worm them. Raw apple cider vinegar in the water. Job done. I got to this relaxed position by leaving the books behind, watching others and gleaning these few key points. I can see the parallel in your journey with the Cows and am sure you too will soon relax into a new routine with them. Speak softly, move gracefully about them and they will warm to you. See how they face you when you approach, they look beautiful with five picture perfect faces showing. What they are actually showing you is a 3500lb problem if you spook them. Be careful, lucky and above all yourself. Great video. Regards to Allison. Stephen.

[@sylverg8341]

The old saying the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. That saying is not just for humans I’ve learned with time. I’ve seen cattle ranchers drive into their pasture’s and no matter how far the cattle are they come running to their owner’s truck. It will take time but you will earn their respect.

[@michaelnoelcurtis978]

I had wild purebred limousines 2 yr old breeding heifers I buy from a purebred farm. I used 3 strand of barb wire connected to the mains eletric. They were very wild nervous red heifers but they tried to escape 4 acres fenced with eletric and failed. The full blast of shock kept them from escaping. They settled down in a few weeks and were not nervous or scared.

[@katejohnson6756]

I really love how much you care about your animals. It's a joy to watch your farm grow and develop along side your farming abilities. Congratulations on your new cows Morgan!!

[@CorneliaBlue]

Cows are difficult, crazy, stubborn and i absolutely live them!! Btw cows HATE change... but keep at it as soon as they learn the new routine they will be good. Also get some range cubes... they LOVE them. It's like a candy treat for them so if you want to start with those treats. Let us know how the apples work!!

[@beulahacreshomestead1927]

Oh no! The reason I don't have larger animals yet is because I can't afford propper fencing. I will get there, but your experience made me see that I'ts smart to wait!

[@keptinkaos6384]

Start with some heifers yearlings you can grow with them...

[@prcervi]

sturdier fencing is a good idea, though these ones were just kinda panicy and will probably acknowledge the light fencing when they calm down(and visibility is better, they might just not see the fence through the fog)

[@beulahacreshomestead1927]

@@prcervi So true!

[@katjordan3733]

Proper fencing makes a WORLD of difference! My horses could find the break in the electric fence and go visit the neighbors. Frustrating.

[@suestoons]

Containment from Day 1 is absolutely key. I'm of the "more is more" containment practice, hubby is more like Morgan fly by the seat of your pants. I do like the suggestion of Keptin Kaos, start with babies. It's *always* easier to train from a younger age. No matter what, it's just going to take time and patience. I discovered with our first foray into chickens that I do not have the patience for dealing with livestock. Good Luck!

[@leootp22]

Super funny you mentioned Temple Grandin, my wife and I were on a flight and the movie about her just so happened to be available to watch. It's a great film and her story as a person living with autism is amazing. Even more amazing is all of her great achievements.

[@PinkTigger33]

You DO have some adventures don't you? Cattle day 1. and already your first challenge. You are every one of us and so relatable. That is what makes your channel so great. That and you do have a knack for storytelling.

[@sarahmargs7052]

So glad you brought up Temple Grandin! I am a vet student and she has given us a few lectures. I can't speak more highly of her. Thanks for sharing your trials and tribulations with us as always, it's fun to see the learning and growing process. Excited for what the farm has in store for the future.

[@nicholasgallanis7539]

Leading herd animals, you infront, is less stressful on everyone then pushing the herd, you behind. Heed other's comment about luring them in with food rewards, takes a bit of time and calmness but, totally worth every ounce of effort!

[@kensmith5694]

Yes and after you have done that several times, the cows will come if you call them. You can give them a treat every 3rd or 4th time and they will still come.

[@wendycook6895]

I love the highlanders. They are so cute. So when I was small (maybe 4) I got licked in the face by a cow. It gave me a huge phobia of cows for a long time. However my youngest daughter loves cows. When she was small she use to say she wanted to be a cow when she grew up... And why you may ask a cow... For the free milk of course. I made myself get comfortable around them so I can get her closer to them. And highland cows are her favorite breed.

[@truditryggvason8510]

We love you just the way you are!!! Good luck with the cattle Morgan!

[@davebentley8945]

Great Lesson you're learning, Respect your animals and then in return, they will respect you. I think with time all will work out great and you will be able to contain them in a area you prefer. I know you will put in the hard work to make these beautiful highlands cows life a blessing to you and your farm.

[@frederickmoller]

Morgan! I really want the Scottish Highland Cattle to work out for you, and I know that it Will! You are always learning new things and that is why it Will work out, myself and your subscribers are 100% rooting for you to succeed!

[@scsfulsarahr598]

Yes! Yes, we are! 🥰

[@CharlesCorbett]

Farmers: "We're a dying breed and statistically most farmers are nearing retirement age without replacements" Someone: Ok, I'll be a farmer Farmers: "NOT LIKE THAT" So many people give you crap just because you didn't have the benefit of being reared on a farm or an agricultural education

[@aidanmolloy6675]

They're just giving him the benefit of their experience. No one was born knowing how to do anything until someone showed them how. He makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes, pretty sure he's happy to get advice from people who have much more experience farming than he does

[@CharlesCorbett]

@@aidanmolloy6675 yeah and they are often jerks about it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ best way to ensure your skills don't get passed on and nobody takes up your mantle is to be a jerk about passing those skills and knowledge on

[@aidanmolloy6675]

@@CharlesCorbett in fairness its a bit of a stretch to even call him a farmer, he has a few cows & birds. In Donegal where i'm from that would be considered a hobby not a farm. I stopped watching his vids cause got fed up watching him, he hasn't a clue what he's doing

[@CharlesCorbett]

​@@aidanmolloy6675 Some here in the US would argue you aren't a "farmer" unless you have 1000 acres of barren wheatland with ruined soil and $50,000,000 in large machinery

[@aidanmolloy6675]

@@CharlesCorbett i see your edited comment mate, can hardly moan about people being jerks then turn round & make a jerky comment yourself!!! When did I ever imply Donegal was the authority on farming? Fact is we are a farming county, not the only 1 nor would I even claim we are the best but considering most of us were either raised on a farm or nxt door to 1 i can guarantee your average man on the street there knows a lot more about farming than this guy. Fair play to him he's following & living his dream, can't knock that but the fact remains he doesn't know what he's doing. Hopefully he'll learn but at the moment he could do with all the advice he can get

[@DS-ky9dl]

Been waiting for this...it did not disappoint!! You can tell a very entertaining story, and they are always welcome. Oh, by the way...your editing is super!

[@sdojo107]

I was thinking that too. the production value is great.

[@56ggn]

Those cows are adorable! I love how they stay close to each other to feel safe when the crazy guy, the big white dog and a strange flying machine seem out to get them. You are right, they are terrified. They need a friend, or two. Like maybe a friendly guy, a nice dog, and no crazy flying machine. I bet they liked the apples! Morgan, I am sure you will win them over, in a week or so... But you'll need more apples!

[@rangeroadmoto]

I blame the red sweater for everything. If cartoons have taught me anything it’s that cows hate red. Also very exciting to watch this part of your journey unfold!

[@scsfulsarahr598]

Very good point. I was thinking the same thing.

[@colecolettecole]

atv was red too ~ i noticed the red clothing as well ~ yes this is jolly good educational entertainment ~ best reality show besides sports ~ especially ice hockey

[@davemeise2192]

Ha ha, that's funny. I remember lots of cartoons with cows, bulls etc and red. LOL. Cows don't actually see red. They see more in the blue or green spectrum so to them it's kind of like a shade of green. Dogs are the same and that's why a dog can't find a red ball on a green lawn. They have to find it by smell.

[@yinhsuliu6617]

lol nice reminder lol

[@jacktheripper4970]

it's the movement of the cape that gets the bull, the color red is just to hide blood stains when they stab the bull.

[@jillianhungerford1897]

Just love you . Mistakes make you better at what you do . Don't think you need Australian stockmans input ,you will learn by experience . Having a go ,will built a better understanding how to deal with your cattle specifically . Keep up the great work .

[@ChurchladyHmm]

I'm so jealous. These would be my dream cows. I can't wait to watch while you get to know your cattle and see how weird they can be--they each will have their own personalities.

[@karenspeer7378]

Wow! Beautiful Cattle! I love the way you have come to the conclusion to consider the animals perspective! Good job Morgan! It's going to be a challenge, but you're up for it!! 😉👍⚘❤

[@mysteroads5598]

You gotta have a strong fence for cows, especially tough ones like highlands (from what I've heard), and a crush if you can get one. Grew up watching family members and other farmers with their cows, and I noticed they had a crush or at least a narrow passage out of a corral, so they could confine the cow. Very useful if the cow ever needed a vet or some sort of look over.

[@tommielourogers4327]

They are really beautiful cattle. I love the long hair on Scottish Highland cattle. They are great choice for your climate. I hope that they come to love and respect you. Every time you run into a situation that challenges your own values, ethics, and beliefs, I love watching you stop and solidify exactly who you are. I know it causes me to respect and love you all the more. I feel that I am surrounded by compromised people who are always trying to get me to “Be realistic !” and compromise who I am and what is important to me. So watching you, helps me to stand my own ground and be true to my own values. Thank you and I you will always be true to who you are.

[@buckeyejen1076]

Morgan, you’re a very good person. You’re going to succeed in whatever endeavor you take on.

[@metallicamadsam]

Yeah Scottish Highlander’s cool looking cows. Can’t wait for the names

[@kc-rb3xp]

I’m maybe 12 month ahead of you and recently sold my pair of highlands. For me, I didn’t have a perimeter fence and was keeping them in a couple of small 1 acre plots. Failure=learning so I sold them to a good herd and next step is a perimeter fence first. Love your transparency here!

[@benchacon4983]

My wife and I bought two wild heifer calves( black angus) and one busted through my electric fence the day I got um. It took me 45 minutes to get her back in. Thank God my neighbor was there to help me. Since than they have become tamer than when they first got them. No more issue with busting through the fence. My cows had to get use to electric fence. They had never been in electric fence. Wish I was there to help you buddy. You got this!

[@marcmckenzie5110]

We met Temple Grandin out at Colorado State University’ vet school years and years ago. What a brilliant person. You’re looking to the right people in shaping your strategies!

[@TsumeAri]

They're GORGEOUS. Look at those sweet faces.

[@KenS1267]

Morgan, I don't know anything about rotational grazing but I do know cattle, I grew up with dairy cattle. Yes, you can "train" cattle to respect a live wire if it is hot enough but you're going to go through what you're going through. I've seen a dairy cow go through a welded steel fence with a hot wire on top, it maimed the cow but she got through it. To move cattle safely you need 2 "herders" not one. You can train a cow to go somewhere like dairy cows going to the barn but to do things they aren't used to you need a person or dog behind and to one side. Also why not just move the paddock so it is where the cattle want to be for the time being? If they want to be up in that top alley then put the fence up along the trees there and let them get comfortable being inside it there.

[@scooterpush]

I am so impressed at the tight-knit group of the cattle. Until now, I was unaware of how social and intelligent cattle are. Almost brings tears to my eyes at how stressful they have found their new life. Thank you Morgan for regaining your perspective and your values.

[@bobbarron6969]

I was watching a demonstration on Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, Colorado. The herder stood in an empty pasture and called them. The cattle responded by leaving the pasture they were in, crossing a county road, and walking to the man calling. He told me he learned the call from his father. Sunrise Ranch is a good resource for humane cattle raising.

[@elizabethmcglothlin5406]

From my (limited) experience of Highland cattle, they get loose. Your neighbors call. Rodeo. They are VERY self-sufficient. Good luck!

[@piperleelee]

Well put together video, one of your best. They are beautiful majestic creatures. I know they will eventually come to trust you just by how you take their nature into account. Looking forward to more videos on your cattle.

[@canadianobserver5552]

I have just over 20 birds now, Cayugas, mandarins, call ducks, Pekins, bantam an laying hens.. and yes, keeping livestock is addictive, challenging and empowering...watching your videos and seeing your struggles and also your victories and accomplishments is really inspiring to my own endeavors.. it solidifies my own experiences and choices as a free range mainly waterfowl hobby farm.. the values, and core principals of raising animals with a very high quality of life...there's no other way to better show your appreciation for what the Creator has given us.. thanks for the videos an being so candid with us...🥂

[@seanhobbs3624]

Now, you’re a real farmer because you have livestock. LOL. On a serious note, you made a goal, you made plan, and you made it happen. Well done.

[@glengillis7775]

Now to make it happen. That's the tricky long term part. Good luck we are all rooting for ya

[@swamp-yankee]

With folks in New England it seems one cow and you're a real and serious farmer, but 500 ewes, and you're still just a guy with an annoying hobby.

[@dawnp5696]

Don't beat yourself up or get discouraged. This happened to us when we started out. We had two we got from a sale barn break out though a fence we thought works contain then. We never did find one of them because the property was near a nature preserve. We assume he finally found another herd. We are about 3 years ahead of you in our journey with cattle. We now have our own farm with 17 head of grass fed beefs and had our first selling year in 2020. We raise South Poll like Greg Judy. You had a good plan with the corral and hot wire training. It seems you rushed things before they understood the hot wire. Temple Grandlin books are amazingly helpful as well. It helped you catch that you were pressuring them into panic with the ATV, drone and sweet Toby. Your philosophy on raising your meet cattle are the same as ours. Provide the best life they can have while with you. You are so right that they need to earn your trust and see you as herd boss. It gets easier I promise.

[@7BlackMamba7]

Congrats on the cattle! They are beautiful. Also I love how real you are about learning from mistakes and growing and improving! Best of luck 👍🏿

[@shooterjam]

Temple Grandin was brilliant beyond her years. What a hero for the cattle community

[@hightde13]

I'm sure you've seen him but over on Tom Pemberton's channel he attributes the ease of working with his cows to hand feeding them the good stuff. 'cake' he calls it but it's the yummy bag food vs just hay. They pretty quickly associate the sound of the bag with tasty tasty cake food and fallow him just about anywhere he needs them to go. Maybe something to try if you hadn't planned to already.

[@betsylongoria8916]

I love your attitude. You are teachable and humble. Your herd will teach you what you need to learn, and your cattle will learn to accept and trust you. You are a good steward on your farm, and that is so much better than being a boss. You are getting it.

[@gkiferonhs]

Some folks I know keep new cattle in a hard-fenced paddock with a really hot single wire for a few days. During this time they get to know where home is and get to respect the fence. Plus they spend time in the paddock with their cows so the cows get to know them more quickly.

[@ImamSalehudin]

Congratz on the new cattle herd. This is my first post as your subscriber. Now that you have cattle, you HAVE to build those self-service cow-scratching posts that all cows love. And also please make a new call for the cows. Thanks!

[@enriquerooplall678]

Love how you introduce Toby dog to them Was an awesome technique 👏

[@tinavandongen6206]

I was watching your video. How are you supplying your beautiful catlle 💧🚰? Hope you are having a better day today. Keep up the work it's not easy but you have heart and the power to improvise! (High five)

[@AngieJames4172]

I'm glad The old Morgan came back, and just let them be to get acclimated to where they were. Realizing they were scared etc. Everything you said made sense. THAT was the Morgan I know ( hence The old Morgan) Morgan, it took me a month or so of patiently sitting on a 5 gallon bucket when I was presented with 2 male Donkeys wilder than a March Hare to approach me and learn to trust me and love me as I loved them. It didn't take long for Malcolm to become like a big puppy dog in every way, he now is a companion to an old mare and elderly lady down the road, Roy still lives with me, not a big puppy dog like Malcolm BUT I can pet and brush him him and rub his tummy and scratch his bum. And that's good enough for me.

[@Sharon-ov6ft]

I agree with you, Morgan! Being the best caregiver you can be, raising happy animals without their experiencing fear, stress and pain, will give you the best results for all your hard work! That is Temple's whole concept!🐂🐮🐓🐱🐝🐤🐣🐶

[@coltonbossler6241]

My family is a group of farmers and so am I. A good skill is “Baiting” and making bonds with the cows. When you give them a nice living space then they will not try to escape. I recommend waiting a couple of days to try to interact with them. If you bring them some hay and stand close while they are eating they will form a bond with you and after a while you should be able to interact with them.

[@scotbenson8097]

(I'll blame the internet for this response:) You sir, are full of crap!

[@coltonbossler6241]

@@scotbenson8097 How?

[@scotbenson8097]

A couple possible scenarios: 1. Those cattle may have always been "a bit skiddish", and therefore more likely to move the problem on to a unsuspecting buyer. Just like some dogs, they're not all lapdogs. or... 2. Obviously they had never been exposed to an electric fence. The cattle and the new owners were clueless. Hey, you gotta learn somehow!!

[@coltonbossler6241]

@@scotbenson8097 The experience I have had has shown me that food is the most consistent way of forming trust

[@AngelMGordon]

@@coltonbossler6241 totally agree. We even have a saying for people learning to get along. " breaking bread" It's hard to remain enemies when you've broken bread together.

[@pepeabbott2947]

I'm not a farmer and i don't watch many farming KZbin videos but i love your channel and the way you treat your animals. It may not inspire me to be a farmer but it does inspire a new respect for farmers and also the animals that farmers work with. I only spend money on product's i know are cruelty free and it's mainly because of your channel, so thank you 😊

[@RainbowBecca]

Congrats on getting cattle!! (lots of love for Toby and the cats

[@barbarafelcan8012]

Congratulations on your cows, one thing for sure is don't try to chase them they can certainly out run you and do nothing but scare them more. Slow but sure talk easy to them have very good hearing no need to yell. Whistling works good no sudden motions. Glad you have heavy wire fence hot wired around parameter of fence with hot wire. But have seen bulls run right through a fence like yours too, they can jump if scared. Would put 2nd hot wire down about two feet from top, that sticks out few inches with extender off fence down along side too keep them off wire fence. Hot wire your trees in let the cows run the parameter good exercise for them. Time and patience with cows will pay off as they learn who you and toby are. Soon they will be following you around the farm to see what you are doing and where their treats are. LOL to the cows, your at a different intelligence level now on the farm with heard animals their instincts are strong; but be careful they are a animal that can take you out if you threaten them, those horns are not for nothing. But once they accept you as part of their heard they will be fine. Have fun learning to communicate with the cows is always at their level and can be quite stubborn will keep you humble for sure learning heard animals.

[@riss.and.the.dogs321]

Totally get the “gateway drug” animals. It all started with a small aquarium when I was like 5 years old. Then hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits. Then dogs, goats, ducks, and horses!

[@issaceash7500]

I love hamsters lol

[@barbarawallwall7171]

I love everything that you are about with your farm. I love that you don't hide anything from the videos. You are a true farmer with so much love.

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

Get a cattle stick with a flag on the end, not a shock stick, just something that increases your arm width as far as the cattle think. I think that lady you spoke of is austistic which I think helped her see what gave her comfort and related it to animals. Love the comment “ I don’t know where my cows are”. Well sounds like you are on the right track; you understand your limits, what lack of knowledge you have will be gained from doing. Live and learn, go for it!

[@Ben-fk9ey]

With cows speaking softly and carrying a big stick works wonders. As you said it helps increase your silhouette so heading is easier. It's also a walking stick. And finally you can prod or give a tap to a cow to get it to move. Cows can be very stubborn when they've found a nice patch of grass so now and again a tap is necessary to get them to keep moving. It's also the safest way as going up to move it with your arms puts you in kick range of them.

[@catsj1767]

As long as they don’t wander into town by themselves. Follow Nora - her sister GiGi kept escaping to visit the neighbor farm herd this summer…

[@co8008]

I have the utmost respect for you as a farmer. Your integrity and character are something to strive for. Someday when I am older you will be one of our farming gurus lol.

[@dutchman7623]

Yep! Wearing bright colors and smashing a metal gate with fresh, but grown up cattle, is a really good idea... Ever wondered why farmers overalls are dark green or dark blue? In the Netherlands Highlanders are used in National Parks to keep those areas free of trees, they really like young trees as food. Maybe it would have been wise to start with a few calves, who are curious and will come to you, and they grow fast, really fast. And there a Dutch saying: Never try to teach an old cow new habits...

[@HelleaaBak]

What I really appreciate about you and your farm is the fact that you use kindness and logic instead of hate and anger. Farming takes time (speaking as a farmers daughter) and in the end you will see that your kindness with giving your cattle the time to settle down and destress will give you so much more in return. Cows are lovely animals, very clever (and kinda dumb too but in the sweetest way) and will come to you if given the time. I send you all the best wishes and hopes for happy cows all the way from Denmark, so yeah, your lovely little farm in Vermont has reached far indeed

[@janetyurkin822]

Their rationale, let’s get this guy trained right off the bat about the cattle biz! We’ll teach him a thing or two! We’re not as dumb as people say we are. MOO! We’ll clue him in, real quick about who’s in charge of us.🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮 This was a great video! Very entertaining

[@aprillomina8232]

They're adorable and you've met your match.

[@lisakayherzog3097]

Congratulations on reaching another one of your goals. Every week when I babysit my niece she loves your videos.. My little niece comment (5 yr old) "Are these cows the North A group and who are they chasing???" Just watched yesterday the disney film North Avenue Irregulars last night with her parents, today everyone is either a North A group or a bad mobster.😉

[@mkingamess7029]

So... I was just on a holiday in the North of Denmark and there were a whooole lot of beautiful pastures everywhere. As a wanderer, I was even able to simply enter and walk through them, all of that was allowed. There were tons of wild apple trees, plum trees, all sorts of berries. On those pastures the local farmers were grazing their sheep, horses and cattle. Seeing your video, I can't help but think that's basically how it was. The cattle were just wandering around on their own, very freely, eating what the land had to offer, climb up dunes, find shade between the trees. The animals were forming the land of those pastures and it was all simply utterly beautiful. And those animals were SO relaxed and looked simply amazing.

[@WakehurstYew]

I'm glad to hear you're reading Temple Grandin, she'll be a wonderful resource for you! I think you're right to ditch the drone and ATV (and even to keep sweet Toby penned away from them) because cattle are notoriously skiddish. I suggest driving them by foot. This is the best way for them to learn who you are and to trust you. It is also the best way for you to inspect your animals for injury or other issues. It is also very zen. When I worked at a pastured dairy, we used walking sticks when we walked them because it helps extends your reach and steer them. Simply put that stick out at your side and you're all of a sudden bigger and they will go in the opposite direction. I love working with cattle. They're giant, nervous, dogs! Once you get over these hurdles you'll enjoy them too!

[@pattycrooker6185]

I think you are taking the absolute right path! You know they are secured by your perimeter fence and are safe. Take the time to get to know them and for them to get to know you, just like with Toby. You got this! Thanks for another great video, and another important message and lesson 💜

[@caubengoan1326]

I'm so lucky that I found this channel. Your farm and lifestyle are everything that I dream of~

[@loriguldan5451]

I cannot thank you enough for these videos! They bring so much joy into my life!!!

[@moniquem783]

Congrats Morgan. A huge step in achieving the dream!

[@archivesofarda986]

I think you instinctively done the right thing. There is actually studies showing that semi free roaming cattle can benefit the soil and plants. However in winter they will eat the tree saplings when there is no fresh grass. So instead of fencing in the cows I would fence in certain parts of the orchard.

[@Needkey.]

I'm honestly dreading watching you the next while, cattle are HARD, and you picked the kind that's even more difficult due to having Massive Horns to worry about.

[@travisz11]

He doesn’t know

[@Autumn-Leafeon]

@@travisz11 He's going to fucking die...or get his herd killed. Hopefully neither happen, but it's good to know what you're supposed to do BEFORE you get the large animals, right?

[@lindatisue733]

Yep, and those aren't good for meat or milk nor are they gentle. I'd call them novelity cows.

[@AngelMGordon]

@@lindatisue733 Highland cattle can provide the opportunity to produce a premium quality beef with less cost and effort. They fit into a variety of styles of operations from small farm to commercial beef operations. They are a multi-purpose animal, producing meat, milk, and fiber.

[@datraptor2506]

@@lindatisue733 if he wanted cattle that can produce milk and beef, as well as survive climate, he should have just gotten Herefords, they are one of the calmest breeds of cattle I can think of