Farm Beat: Here is how hikers, cattle can coexist

Entry signs for the Stanislaus National Forest declare it the Land of Many Uses. Steer wrestling is not among them.

A new publication shows how hikers and other visitors can avoid conflicts with cattle that graze on public land. The University of California Cooperative Extension released the five-page brochure last month.

These bovines are generally calm as they munch grasses and other feed in national forests. Waterfowl refuges are other places where they might be allowed. But they can turn dangerous if disturbed by backpackers, horseback riders, bicyclists or other visitors. A yapping dog along for the trip poses problems, too.

The authors write that cattle “are classified as prey animals, which means they are potential targets for large predators such as wolves, coyotes, dogs, lions and humans. Because of this, they naturally experience and express fear and protective behavior, especially when unfamiliar people and animals are near and to protect their young.”

With the Memorial Day weekend upon us, it’s worthwhile to note some of the key advice:

▪ If an animal is blocking the trail, approach from the front or side, and pass no closer than 6 feet. This is the creature’s “flight zone,” which if invaded could cause a sudden reaction.

▪ Keep dogs under complete control when around livestock.

▪ Don’t yell or make sudden movements.

▪ Report injured livestock to land managers, but do not approach them.

▪ Remember that bulls can be more aggressive than steers, their neutered herdmates.

The brochure’s authors are Stephanie Larson, director of the Cooperative Extension in Sonoma County; Lisa Bush, a rangeland consultant in the same county; and Sheila Barry, extension director for Santa Clara County.

They drew much of the advice from Temple Grandin, a noted expert on livestock behavior at Colorado State University. Her work has informed the beef and dairy industries in Stanislaus County and beyond.

Our region has plenty of places where people can hike and ride amid cattle. They are in parts of national forests and their wilderness areas, though this has raised concerns from environmental groups. Parts of the refuges along the lower San Joaquin River allow cattle in their upland areas. A few private cattle ranches allow hiking and other visitor activities, but most do not.

Ranchers like having the public land available at the times of the year when other feed sources are short. They also face rising purchase costs for land because of competition from almonds and other high-value crops. And then there’s drought, which further stretches the feed supply.

Cattle fatten up nicely when they can graze calmly – good for the rancher and good for the buyer of the meat down the line.

This story was originally published May 22, 2015 at 4:10 PM with the headline "Farm Beat: Here is how hikers, cattle can coexist."