I love cattle, always preferred them to sheep, so knowing that, I reduced the flock in size in preparation for the 'future' when the cattle will be more! I have still in stock 14 round bales of hay from last year, though I have used 22 bales since October last year feeding 1 in calf suckler, 1 15 month weanling (Knickers) and 1, 8 month weanling (last year's calf) and 13 sheep, 7 of which lambed. Grass during the winter yet all still scoffed hay! So when I looked at all my grass yesterday thinking about the amount of hay i'm hoping to get (unfortunately I always think positive where hay is concerned as I don't like to think of bad weather during the process) it occurred to me that as long as I pass the TB test in 2 weeks time, my current 2 big mouths, 2 middle size mouths and 2 small mouths are going to be 4 big mouths 2 middle size mouths and 2 smaller mouths same time next year and hay stocks (if any) are going to be down! Cows are addictive, especially when they are friendly and gentle!! The problem is remembering that they can scoff and double in size in a year and unless you can get calving times right, you'll be taking them through winter. In the past, we were fortunate to calve in March, wean over winter and then flog in February, but this was when we ran 2 places and all lived out with baled silage on tap and fields to wander. Apart from Juniper, all my girls were purchased in as calves and each are halter trained, their tubtrug feeding bowls match their headcollars and leads! They suit me! Whatever breed you have, enjoy them. Cattle are characters, each have quirks and foibles!!