In focus: Grazing cows and bulls in fields with public footpaths

1. No dairy bulls should be kept in fields with public access at any time.
2. Where possible avoid putting cattle, especially cows with calves, in fields with public access.
3. Where there is a need to keep cattle with calves or a bull in a field with public access, do all that you can to keep animals and people separated. Consider the use of fencing (permanent or temporary e.g. electric fencing). This is particularly important at busy times or where access routes are heavily used.
4. Assess the temperament of any cattle before putting them into a field with public access.
5. If cattle, especially cows with calves, do need to be put into fields with public access, keep this period to a minimum.
6. Position feed and water troughs away from public access routes and away from public entrances and exits to the field.
7. Put in place a system to monitor any cattle in fields with public access at least on a daily basis. It may be worth recording this.
8. Consider culling any animal that shows signs of aggression.
9. Any animal that has shown any sign of aggression must not be kept in a field with public access.
10. Clearly sign post all public access routes across the farm. Display signage at all entrances to the field stating what is in the field (cows with calves / bulls).

The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 states that it is an offence to allow a bull in a field crossed by a public right of way, but there are exceptions to this. No offence will be committed if either: the bull in question is under 10 months old or it does not belong to a recognised dairy breed and is at large in any field or enclosure in which cows or heifers are also at large.

A dairy breed defined by the act is one of the following: Ayrshire, British Friesian, British Holstein, Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey, Jersey and Kerry.

If bulls are on hire, lease, or loan, or if bulls/other cattle are new to the farm then it is considered good practice to keep them in another field or building for a few days. This will allow you to check that they are suitable to be turned out in an area accessed by the public.

An animal who has shown signs of aggression to you, farm staff or members of the public should not be kept in fields to which the public have access. Indeed, you might even want to consider culling the animal.

You should be undertaking daily checks of any fields with livestock grazing. As well as keeping an eye out for any veterinary issues with the herd you should also include assessing the boundaries/gates to ensure that they are secure. In addition, you should make certain there are no issues with water and food supplies which may cause aggression amongst the herd. It is good practice to keep records of when these checks were carried out and any remedial action that was taken.

Items used to feed and water livestock should be placed away from gates and the line of the public right of way. This will discourage animals from congregating in places where they are most likely to encounter users of the route.

Whilst there is no legal requirement to have public liability insurance we would always recommend that land managers are insured to a suitable level to protect their interests in the event of a claim from a member of the public. You should speak with your insurance broker about what level of cover would be suitable as this may vary depending on whether the only paths crossing your land are public rights of way or whether there is also permissive access.

CLA Insurance provide insurance cover for rural businesses, farms, and estates. Their contact details can be found here.

The Health & Safety Executive’s Advice Sheet 17, which can be found here is essential reading for all livestock keepers where they may also be members of the public on the land. The advice sheet sets out guidance for land managers to control hazards associated with cattle. It does not cover the housing of bulls or safe handling procedures for farm staff.

Decent and clear waymarking is a reliable way of making sure that users of public rights of way stick to the path and don’t stray into areas of the farm that you don’t want them to. This doesn’t need to be anything fancy – a splash of paint in the appropriate colour for the type of right of way will suffice.

If you are experiencing problems with people regularly straying off the right of way then you could consider fencing the line of the route (where this works for the farm). You should always discuss this with the local Rights of Way Officer before incurring any expense as they will frequently expect the fenced width to be wider than the actual width of the route to allow for maintenance and overgrown vegetation. In addition, while it is outside the scope of this article, the legal widths of public rights of way can vary considerably. Fencing the route too narrowly without discussion with the Rights of Way Officer is likely to lead to complaints from local walkers or user groups.

If you come across a field with cattle grazing in it then it can feel intimidating. There is however, no reason to abandon your walk. If you are accompanied by your dog then pop it on a lead (but let it go if the cattle show signs of getting upset). Walk quietly and confidently across the field keeping your distance from the herd (you are able to move off the line of the path to get around them). Don’t panic and run if they start to follow you as this may cause them to run after you.

Cows do not normally present a threat to humans walking on a public right of way. Some walkers may feel happier carrying a stick with them to wave at inquisitive cattle. This will usually be enough to turn them away from you.

It is generally safe to walk past cows but be mindful if the herd has got calves grazing with them. Don’t get between a cow and a calf. It is perfectly acceptable to move off the legal line of the right of way to make your way around grazing animals.

Do not touch or feed animals that you come across on your walk. There is a risk of catching infections from close contact with some farm animals. Some animals will have special diets and feeding them inappropriately can cause them harm.

There are rules on when bulls are allowed to graze in fields where there is public access. Bulls may be grazing where there is public access if they are under ten months of age or they are not of a recognised dairy breed and are accompanied by cows/heifers. In these scenarios bulls do not usually present a threat to humans and it is safe to progress along the footpath.

If a bull makes a huffing snorting sound or paws the ground throwing soil over his back then these are warning signs that he may be thinking of charging. If a bull turns sideways on whilst continuing to look at you then he is asserting his dominance and it is time to get out of the field. Do not run away but withdraw without turning your back on the bull to a safe distance.

There is a possibility that you will come across livestock being moved. In this scenario follow any instructions from the farmer in order to keep yourself out of harm’s way.

You should leave all gates as you find them. If they are closed then close them behind you. If they have been tied open then the farmer will have left them like that so that the livestock can access water and food.

Please ensure that you clear up after your dog when out for a walk. Dog mess isn’t just unpleasant for other users to step in but can also contain many different parasites, including one which infects cattle with Neospora. This disease causes cows to abort their unborn calves. Once an animal is infected they cannot be cured.

Bagged dog waste should be carried with you until you get to a suitable bin; not left on the ground or hung on tree branches, even if the intention at the time is to collect it later.