You're The Bull or Sex in the Pasture

The second day after Scruffy arrived on our farm, Glenn decided it was time he met the girls.

Becky opened the gate to the paddock and Scruffy slowed walked out through the opening into the pasture. 

He followed the dirt road which led him straight to where the sheep (ewes and lambs) were taking their heat-of-the-afternoon reprieve; under the deep shade of tall oaks and yellow-poplars.  The sheep were not fond of Scruffy’s intrusion, so they all got up and left.  The cows were down the hill, in the lower end of this particular pasture, guzzling their afternoon water refreshment at the spring-fed stock tank. Scruffy ignored them.

Glenn went to retrieve Scruffy and to direct his route toward the cows.  Scruffy was in no hurry.  He did not appreciate having to take this new path through the tall grasses. 

I was getting a bit concerned. Usually, when we put a confined bull back in with cows, he runs as fast as he is able, in the shortest distance possible, to get to the cows.  Not Scruffy.  He continued his slow advance. Granted, Scruffy is a mature bull, older; not a macho, young male.  He is experienced with a few good breeding years left.  But, would you try to show a little excitement, Scruffy?

Finally, he reached the cows.  Unfortunately, he was on the upper side of the fence and the cows on the lower side.  Now, it was Becky’s turn to encourage Scruffy toward the opening in the fence to get to the cows.  He continued to walk slowly toward the cows.  Once within feet of each other, the cows quickly surrounded this new fellow that had arrived in their pasture.  There was a little pushing and shoving…each cow wanted to get up close and personal. The cows showed real enthusiasm.

Scruffy curled up his lip; finally, a sure sign that he was interested in the cows.

Scruffy curling lip - look left of Glenn's head

Another look at that curling lip.

By evening, Scruffy had mounted at least cow.  The job we ‘hired’ him to do.

Way to go Scruffy!  Only 13 cows and 4 heifers to breed within the 45 days we set as our breeding season. 

I think Scruffy is up to the job!

Note: Simultaneously, Little Red is at the ‘55’ farm breeding the 22 cows there.