Bull on commonage?

Eoghan Barra

Does anyone know if there's any problem with having a bull on commonage?

I'm planning on putting a few cows and a bull onto some hill commonage we have a share in, but a neighbour told me to check it out first, as he thinks there might be a rule against it, based on the possible danger to other users.

Anyone have any idea if that's true?

Bleating Lamb

Eoghan Barra wrote: »

Does anyone know if there's any problem with having a bull on commonage?

I'm planning on putting a few cows and a bull onto some hill commonage we have a share in, but a neighbour told me to check it out first, as he thinks there might be a rule against it, based on the possible danger to other users.

Anyone have any idea if that's true?

I would think that you would need the permission of all stakeholders on the common age.....I know that around us on the commonage(only sheep on it)....people bring in ewes to put with ram so different rams aren't mixing through different ewes.A bull would possibly be a risk to other farmers out looking at stock.

Eoghan Barra

Thanks for the reply, Bleating Lamb.

Anyone else with direct experience or knowledge of this issue?

Bodacious

Eoghan Barra wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, Bleating Lamb.

Anyone else with direct experience or knowledge of this issue?

bull on commonage would be a complete no no imo... recipe for disaster as he will bull neighbours cattle/ heifer weanlings/ dry cows/ heifers that they hoping to sell etc etc

Conmaicne Mara

I've never heard of bulls on commonages around here, I don't keep cattle though.

Eoghan Barra

Bodacious wrote: »

bull on commonage would be a complete no no imo... recipe for disaster as he will bull neighbours cattle/ heifer weanlings/ dry cows/ heifers that they hoping to sell etc etc

Neighbours have only sheep on commonage, no cattle.

moy83

Eoghan Barra wrote: »

Neighbours have only sheep on commonage, no cattle.

Id say let him bull them at home and let the cows out on the commanage then.
He would be a danger to the other shareholders and I reckon if its mountain or soft ground he will be the first animal to get hurt or stuck in a hole

Eoghan Barra

moy83 wrote: »

Id say let him bull them at home and let the cows out on the commanage then.
He would be a danger to the other shareholders and I reckon if its mountain or soft ground he will be the first animal to get hurt or stuck in a hole

Thanks Moy83.

Here's a couple of novice (me) questions for you or anyone else out there:

Wouldn't the bull go nuts if he was separated from the cows for long periods?

How would you know when the cows were 'in the mood' to be bulled, i.e. when to let him at them?

Bodacious

Eoghan Barra wrote: »

Thanks Moy83.

Here's a couple of novice (me) questions for you or anyone else out there:

Wouldn't the bull go nuts if he was separated from the cows for long periods?

How would you know when the cows were 'in the mood' to be bulled, i.e. when to let him at them?

Hi Eoghan,

Bull would be fine in paddock by the house as long as you throw something with him for company a cheap bullock or weanling etc..

don't know your set up or what your plans are but you could just have the bull with them for 9 weeks on lowland

On the sheep cattle mix on commonage ... It doesn't matter.. You putting a bull on commonage sets a precedence ie next year a neighbour or his son etc may want to run 5 heifers on it and they can't as you have a bull out there that shouldn't be there.. They may not want to challenge you on it then and end up grazing them elsewhere or then come at you guns blazing !

ganmo

IMO No don't! even if you can
there's a risk of the bull going for someone whos herding their stock on the commonage.

Most of the commonages are designated for sheep only, check with the department if cattle are allowed on it.

Eoghan Barra

Thanks lads for the replies.

Looks like it might be a tricky one alright. The cattle will be Galloways, which have a reputation for being very relaxed and docile (as well as being pollies), although I have no personal experience of them. But if they're as chilled as their reputation suggests it might work out ok.

So I guess I'll just have to see what the breed are like in practice and play it by ear.

paddyc310

Sure common age no place for bull did not think common age can be fenced .. If you ask other farmers who have share in it and they agree and do not have heifers on it and it is fenced might work do not think bull will stay to long he will be gone away to a disco as lots of things go now it all depends on neighbours,,,good luck