Betty

Betty and her calves in the spring sunshine.

Old Betty was the first cow the farmer bought all those years ago. Now in her late prime she has joined Norton Court Farm, and she hasn’t been like the others. She refused to lie down in the cubicles, and most cows don’t last long if they won’t use them. For Old Betty, though, we made an exception.

We settled her in the straw calving yard well before she was due. She seemed much happier there. The plan was to make her a nanny cow: she wouldn’t have to return to the cubicles, and she could have a few calves of her own — something she’d never had before.

Her first calf was a lovely son, but he didn’t want to drink. Clever Old Betty stood very still and let us help him learn. Success — they were soon content together. Next came a premature calf who needed a mother’s love. Old Betty took him without a fuss and spent the following weeks in the horse stable and field with her two calves. She learned who fed her each day and would moo from across the field when she saw us. She didn’t like being touched, but she showed her kindness in other ways.

Then more calves arrived. The first ten to go out joined her and her two in the barn field. Old Betty didn’t even blink. She stood calmly while the youngsters raced around, allowed them to sniff her, and even let some suckle warm milk. Now she lies in the field with her little herd of calves, content and cuddling them away — a steady, gentle presence at Norton Court Farm.

Betty with her two day old calf and adopted calf.