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Cattle can be ornery too

Last year a rambler was injured on our farm, usually, we would have to pay for medical expenses a few hundred pounds, but what ramblers should know is that we've installed motion-activated cameras throughout the farm (it says so when they cross into our land).   Initially, we installed them because the technology is so cheap, and our farm is entirely networked, for cattle tracking.  We can see predators, thieves and idiots too.

So last year's injured rambler could easily be seen taking a kid (baby goat) from its doe, to show his children, thinking our farm was a petting zoo.  The doe charged him really hard, she was having none of it.  We put signs where the ramblers enter our fields that cattle are easily spooked and can charge unprovoked, and to stay at least 200 meters away.  As they say, there's always a smartass who knows better.  Even our cattlemen are careful when approaching a herd, they always talk to the animals and know which one can be trouble (it's always the same).  These are big animals and even if it's just curiosity they can injure people.  But sometimes, a cow just got up from the wrong side of the bed and is pissed off.  

Some will ask if it is fair that we are forced to pay for ramblers' injuries.  The short answer is that it's the law, ramblers have a right to traverse your land, and if you provide a walking path and they are injured through no fault of their own, we are responsible.  I should point out that it's very rare that ramblers will even consider approaching our animals.  Ramblers are respectful, we've even had ramblers repair damaged dry walls.

Why do I mention this on a Friday morning, because we got a "Karen" storm into the office, Jennifer is away until Monday so I had to deal with her, saying that her family had been charged by a herd of goats.  She was rather loud until when I found the taped interaction. It was evident that a teenager was trying to cause trouble with the herd.  She got quiet when I showed her the boy's face.  She apologized and left without a word.  The wonders of modern technology.

In other news:  Today, the building crew began assembling the last of the new high tunnels.  The 24 employees who wanted to move from half to full-time, we all given full-time contracts, and they've been getting the new high tunnels ready for planting.  We only use mini machinery in the high tunnels to avoid injuries and damage.  Prepping the bedding surfaces is a lot of work.  The first of the new high tunnels will begin receiving seedlings next Monday.  

Note:  A dry wall is a stone wall without any masonry the stones are set dry.  We have the NHS in the UK, so the only real cost are ambulance or other ancillary costs.  No they cannot sue us the law doesn't work that way here.



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