Allowing cows a choice

This week I found myself staring at an empty field. I was somewhat surprised by this as – as far as I could tell as a human – it was a beautiful day to be outside: sunny, a pleasant 19°C and the perfect weather to be tucking into some lush pasture. However, the 60 cows that I'd come to condition score had voted with their feet and were, without exception, inside, lying in a fan-cooled shed.

This was a reminder to me that as much as we like to think that we know what cows want – or don't want – they are still the best judges of their own desires and motivations. The issue of whether cows should have access to grazing is an emotive subject, in which we see various groups making a case for and against. I regularly have my clients with permanently housed cows tell me their cows have no desire to go outside, and equally my extensive grazing clients suggesting cows like being outside throughout the year.