Thread: Cows on the road

Originally Posted by rustynail

Council well may show interest and the local cop be displeased, but that aint going to stop old buttercup getting to that nice sweet pick on the other side of the fence.

If the fences were up to standard they WOULD be stopped from getting out.
The standard of fencing on most of the farms around my area are appalling!
'bout time these farmers did something about it
Not good enough Rusty...maybe taking these apathetic, wannabe cowboys to court is the ONLY way to facilitate change
I for one have had a gut full of their laziness
NO excuses for them anymore ...MM

I bought a semi load of station bred Angus out of Omeo. An old chap, passing the truck while we were loading said, "You'll need a moat to keep them bastards in." His mate responded with, "Wouldnt help, the mongrels can swim."
They were dead right. Those cattle had absolutely no respect for fences whatsoever. Even electric. Fortunately, they were well bred and good doers and only took a few months to reach marketable weight. It was good to see the back of them.
Bad fencing makes bad cattle. Fence maintenance is an expensive undertaking if they have been let go too long. Usually, it's not so much laziness, rather a lack of funds that delays the inevitable.
Having lost two good dogs while walking cattle in the long paddock, I dont have much time for irritable motorists who insist on going through a mob of bullocks at the same speed they would do on the highway.
One chap took it upon himself to wind down his window and give me a gob full across the top of a sea of bovine backs. One of them, with rump to window, let rip, right in his lap! I tried to explain that the drought had made it necessary to put stock on the road. He didnt seem all that interested and was way more concerned with the state of his suit.
Oh well, another day in paradise.

Originally Posted by rustynail

I bought a semi load of station bred Angus out of Omeo. An old chap, passing the truck while we were loading said, "You'll need a moat to keep them bastards in." His mate responded with, "Wouldnt help, the mongrels can swim."
They were dead right. Those cattle had absolutely no respect for fences whatsoever. Even electric. Fortunately, they were well bred and good doers and only took a few months to reach marketable weight. It was good to see the back of them.
Bad fencing makes bad cattle. Fence maintenance is an expensive undertaking if they have been let go too long. Usually, it's not so much laziness, rather a lack of funds that delays the inevitable.
Having lost two good dogs while walking cattle in the long paddock, I dont have much time for irritable motorists who insist on going through a mob of bullocks at the same speed they would do on the highway.
One chap took it upon himself to wind down his window and give me a gob full across the top of a sea of bovine backs. One of them, with rump to window, let rip, right in his lap! I tried to explain that the drought had made it necessary to put stock on the road. He didnt seem all that interested and was way more concerned with the state of his suit.
Oh well, another day in paradise.

Rusty....you mustn't read my last post
The farmers have NO excuses!!
As for lack of funds,you have got to be joking
These folk have new 4x4's,Tractors etc etc...poor my backside
Pure Laziness
They leave flood debris on them,never slash a strip alongside the fence line to offer some protection against fire (fire as you know will render the wire brittle and cause it to rust)
If they can't afford the fences,then they should sell up and get out of the game.
Were not in drought here and there is plenty of feed in the paddock
As a lot of cow folk know,if a beast knows how and where to get out,it will do it time and time again...they aren't silly.
Their the ones that should go straight to market...immediately
If you decide to allow them to graze along the roadside in times of drought,fine,but erect a temporary fence to contain them.
A lot of folk around my area take advantage of the lush green pick on the roadside but they also display a level of responsibility by putting up temporary fence(s)
I always gave way to the milkers when i lived in North Queensland...and respectfully too i might add
My case is a very different scenario though
Maybe if one of your family members were killed or injured by a roaming bovine,your mindset might be different
I came within a whisker of having a really nasty accident last week
I have every right to be 'irritable'
Spoken to a number of folk over the past week about what happened to me and NO ONE was impressed or offered any excuses for the farmer in any way,shape or form...MM

New tractors, four wheel drives etc would be the reason for no money for fences. Some folk just cant get their priorities right.
Im not saying you have no right to be irritable and I appreciate your near miss would shake you up a bit. I have had the same experience myself. I just feel that such a radical approach (suing) is a bit over the top. In my case, I actually hit the cow. Major damage to vehicle and some minor damage to me. Fortunately, I had my rifle with me, so the cow didnt have to suffer. As for suing the owner or going to the council, it never crossed my mind.
Just another day in paradise.

Originally Posted by rustynail

New tractors, four wheel drives etc would be the reason for no money for fences. Some folk just cant get their priorities right.
Im not saying you have no right to be irritable and I appreciate your near miss would shake you up a bit. I have had the same experience myself. I just feel that such a radical approach (suing) is a bit over the top. In my case, I actually hit the cow. Major damage to vehicle and some minor damage to me. Fortunately, I had my rifle with me, so the cow didnt have to suffer. As for suing the owner or going to the council, it never crossed my mind.
Just another day in paradise.

Be rest assured the have enough money to pay for fencing...and fencing doesn't require the intelligence of a rocket scientist either.
They have the hardwood trees growing for their posts...they have the tractors to ram them into the soil...they have their family for free labor...so all they need to purchase is the wire,which would surely be tax deductible anyway,and it is not overly expensive these days.
Nothing radical about suing them for stress either...it is a tangible condition that can affect ones health and ability to function normally...an assault on ones mental health...not dissimilar to a physical assault in terms of its (stress) ability to disable someone.
My friend who i care for finally came to town with me today but was still quite scared at the thought of having to drive past the herd...not good
And if you decided not to sue for damages after smashing up your vehicle on a cow, then so be it..your prerogative i guess
I see the world a little differently
Will contact council on monday to see what progress is being made towards making Cove road and surrounds a SAFER place for vehicles to navigate...MM

Originally Posted by rustynail

...
In my case, I actually hit the cow. ... Fortunately, I had my rifle with me, so the cow didn't have to suffer.

euthanasia for the cow -- like it

Originally Posted by MAPLEMAN

Be rest assured the have enough money to pay for fencing...and fencing doesn't require the intelligence of a rocket scientist either.
They have the hardwood trees growing for their posts...they have the tractors to ram them into the soil...they have their family for free labor...so all they need to purchase is the wire,which would surely be tax deductible anyway,and it is not overly expensive these days.
Nothing radical about suing them for stress either...it is a tangible condition that can affect ones health and ability to function normally...an assault on ones mental health...not dissimilar to a physical assault in terms of its (stress) ability to disable someone.
My friend who i care for finally came to town with me today but was still quite scared at the thought of having to drive past the herd...not good
And if you decided not to sue for damages after smashing up your vehicle on a cow, then so be it..your prerogative i guess
I see the world a little differently
Will contact council on monday to see what progress is being made towards making Cove road and surrounds a SAFER place for vehicles to navigate...MM

Why would I sue? The car was insured and where I come from' cattle are often on the road.
I am somewhat suspicious you haven't had the "pleasure" of suing anyone as yet. If you had, you wouldn't be so quick to opt for that approach. It is very time consuming and expensive and extremely stressful. Even when you have a solid case the stress can be phenomenal.
All just over a cow on the road?

Agree with you Rusty. If you sue someone and win the costs can still exceed any payout. If you loose you can lose the house.
The insurance company can look after that side, if they wish.

Originally Posted by MAPLEMAN

You are clueless sometimes Rusty and recalcitrant.....MM

Please stick to playing the ball and not the man MM.

Thanks for updating my pedigree Chris. And thank you for going to the trouble to post a PM.
The word recalcitrant is defined in the dictionary as "disregard for authority." Could you please explain who's authority I am disregarding?
I may be clueless, as you maintain, but I do know the ramifications of taking the action you are proposing. Your temper places you in grave danger of becoming another victim of the courts.
Making mountains out of molehills and then calling on the authorities to take action, failing which, you drag the neighbours off to court is not going to be conducive to good ongoing relationships. Not to mention a heavy burden on your finances. After all, what is more important, a good relationship with some counter jumper in the council, or a civil, communicative relationship with your neighbours?
I am sorry if my differing opinion causes you offence, but it amounts to nothing compared to what a defense lawyer will subject you to in court. And, as I said earlier, the costs are exorbitant and the stress is phenomenal, even for those who handle stress well.
All the best and thanks again.

Sorry for the verbal meltdown that i directed at you Rustynail...it was inappropriate
Your right,the legal process is expensive and who's right is often irrelevant
It's who has the fatter wallet that counts in court
The near Bingle with Beefy shook me and my friend to the core
And my ute was only purchased a few months ago after being without transport for 2 years
I had to patiently save for it...having it written off unnecessarily would have done my head in
Again,i retract what i said, i am truly sorry...MM

Thanks Chris, appreciate it. I understand the frustration caused by a differing opinion whilst having to come to terms with a near miss and a less than enthusiastic farming community. My comments were not intended to support cattle farming on roads, purely the fact that s#*t happens.
My main concern was your intended method of handling the problem and the ramifications that could follow. I wasnt aware your vehicle was new and hard won. This also sheds light on what had appeared an over reaction.
No hard feelings and beware the wee beastie

Forget the cows Chris....it's these pesky Pea Hens just down the road from you that are a problem.....

Originally Posted by skot

Forget the cows Chris....it's these pesky Pea Hens just down the road from you that are a problem.....

Priceless Scott ...MM