‘Warm and fuzzy’: would you cuddle a Highland cow? | South Australia holidays

She will be able to barely see me – younger Honey’s golden fringe falls effectively previous her eyes. However the 11-month-old Highland calf trusts me, permitting me to nestle in near brush her lengthy, shaggy coat up alongside her neck. She tilts her head in the direction of the sky, her moist pale pink nostril catching the solar – she loves it. And for a second, nothing else issues.I’m at Wildhand Farm, a ten hectare property in Willunga Hill, South Australia. Little greater than 12 months in the past, budding farmers Alice Cearns, 29, and Reece Merritt, 37, had been “going broke”. Their earnings from rising and promoting native Australian flora and proteas was not sufficient to assist their rising household. They started internet hosting flower-arranging workshops for the general public however, in a accident, their two Highland cows stole the present.Greater than 2,000 individuals have booked into the Highland cattle experiences since 2024. {Photograph}: Carrie Jones/The Guardian“The thrill was loopy,” says Cearns. “Folks wished to spend extra time with the cows than the flowers. “We realised: we’ve to get extra cows.”The pair, who dwell on the farm with their two kids, each underneath three, have seen greater than 2,000 individuals via their property since launching personal and small group Highland cattle experiences in October 2024. Dates now e book out months prematurely.Scottish Highland cattle are recognised for his or her shaggy coats and lengthy, curved horns. {Photograph}: Carrie Jones/The GuardianFarmers Alice Cearns and Reece Merritt, with their six-week-old child, Cody. {Photograph}: Carrie Jones/The Guardian“That first lady from the flower workshop who requested to see the cows, she simply began crying when she obtained up shut with them,” Cearns says.“We’ve had an 82nd birthday right here, and she or he might barely stroll, however she was simply so over the moon to be on the market.“We realised it’s a really therapeutic course of to be on the market with them, brushing them, bonding with them. We had a girl who labored for the NDIS say how a lot it might assist these with disabilities enhance their psychological well being.”‘We realised it’s a really therapeutic course of,’ says Cearns. {Photograph}: Carrie Jones/The GuardianCow cuddling isn’t new: lately, farmers in Australia, the UK and the US have been inviting individuals to hug their herds as a supersized type of animal remedy. However these aren’t abnormal cows. Scottish Highland cattle – recognised for his or her shaggy coats and lengthy, curved horns – aren’t farmed for meat in Australia, residing to a median age of 23. There are a handful of different farmers and enterprise house owners who run Highland cow encounters in Australia, together with The Farm at close by Clarendon.The animal-loving pair had been drawn to Highlands for grazing as a result of the breed isn’t used for milk or meat – although the cows’ endearing faces helped, too. “I wished a cow breed that you simply didn’t should kill,” Cearns says.skip previous e-newsletter promotionSign as much as Saved for LaterCatch up on the enjoyable stuff with Guardian Australia’s tradition and way of life rundown of popular culture, traits and tipsPrivacy Discover: Newsletters might include information about charities, on-line adverts, and content material funded by outdoors events. For extra data see our Privateness Coverage. We use Google reCaptcha to guard our web site and the Google Privateness Coverage and Phrases of Service apply.after e-newsletter promotionThe farm now has 9 Highlands: Mabel, Millie, Matilda, Ruby, Mia, Max, Menzi and Banks. {Photograph}: Carrie Jones/The Guardian‘They’re so cute,’ says first-time cow cuddler Georgia Standing, 22. {Photograph}: Carrie Jones/The GuardianMerritt’s emotions on this additionally run deep. Raised on his household’s sheep farm in Mount Compass, he says he “by no means preferred the killing”. Highlands, the pair say, are extra like large pets. Their charismatic herd now numbers 9, every “with their very own personalities”: Mabel, Millie, Matilda, Ruby, Mia, Max, Menzi and Banks, aged between seven months and four-and-a-half years.Firstly of the tour, the females come galumphing out – some quicker than others (straightforward does it for the outdated ladies). Merritt throws out a recent batch of hay, giving them an opportunity to settle earlier than we strategy. Their presence feels huge, not solely in measurement however in an intangible, humbling power that surrounds us as we slowly construct confidence in patting, brushing and even cuddling the warm-bodied beauties.Two Highlands sure throughout a discipline. {Photograph}: Carrie Jones/The Guardian‘It’s satisfying getting their knots out, too,’ says Standing. Composite: Carrie Jones/The GuardianSmiles and laughter ripple via the group – and the cows bask within the consideration. First-time participant Georgia Standing, 22, says pampering the cows made her really feel “heat and fuzzy”. “They’re so cute,” she says. “It’s satisfying getting their knots out, too.”Brushing their coats feels grounding, healthful. The encompassing gums, the recent air and free-roaming chickens add to the tranquillity, as do the numerous rows of blooming flowers.The cows are a time waster, Merritt jokes. “Within the night, I’ll come out right here and the cows are simply laying, and I’ll lay with them,” he says. “You possibly can’t hear any vehicles. It’s simply peaceable.”