Warming up

It is 2degreesC, early morning, ground frozen and here are some of our neighbouring herd of pedigree Dexter cattle warming themselves. They are not feeding, just standing with the early sun on their flanks and warming up after a freezing night.It might seem cruel or neglectful to leave them out in cold weather, but actually it is not, and they do thrive, but only so long as they have access to water to drink.
Water is the critical factor.
In this case water is supplied by two standing tanks in the field which have to be refilled regularly by hose. If and when the tanks freeze up then the herd will have to be moved to another location.
Interestingly my niece Sarah and her husband, who keep a herd of pedigree Belted Galloways not far away in Derbyshire, told me that bringing the cattle under cover and into a barn in winter can actually be dangerous and harm them through overheating!
Rather remarkable that.
So if a supply of drinking water can be achieved it is better for the animals' health for them to be outside. It is neither cruel nor neglectful.
End of cattle farming seminar!