Champion's Herd

When Champion died, on May 30th 2023, I was lucky enough to connect with Lesa and Mark Bradford the ranchers who surrendered Champion to Safe in Austin. On August 2023 that year they shared a photo of Champion's half-brother: a new calf born on their ranch with the same father as Champion and Patchula's sister as his mother. The calf reminded me so much of Champion I immediately asked if I could buy him from them! At that point I was only thinking of getting one cow.

They said maybe later, he was obviously too young right now. Over the next year I continued to check in regularly. Finally, they told me they were about to send calves to auction including the one I wanted. They would sell him to me now as long as I also took an all white lame calf that would only go straight to slaughter rather than a feedlot. I agreed. However, Chris at Austin Farm Sanctuary asked me "aren't you taking their mothers?" . As soon as he said this I thought of the strong bond Champion had with Patchouli and I realized that ideally I needed their mothers too. Lesa agreed but said that one of the mother's had a new calf who she was nursing so I would need to talk him as well. With 12 acres 5 cows were not unreasonable so we said yes.

On October 20th 2024 the cows arrived and soon made themselves at home. Only one of them had a name. That was the eldest Blossom. So we named Champion's look alike Victor after him. Blossom's calf was his close buddy so he became Hugo (Victor Hugo the novelist). Despite being lame, the white calf was a real explorer, so he became Atlas. The other other a cream colored horned cow went through a variety of names till my father named her Eurydice because she looked like the cows on Ancient Greek Pottery.

I shared photos of them happily grazing in their grassy tree shaded pasture with Lesa. 3 weeks later she came back to me saying they had decided to sell the 14 cows remaining in the herd. She asked if I would take them. We did not have the space for all of them but I agreed to take her two favorites who were possibly pregnant. That's when Sweetie and Ruby joined us. On March 9th 2025 Sweetie gave birth to a male calf - we named Micky after my father. Less than two months later on May 1st 2025 Ruby gave birth to a female calf - we named Poppy Love after my mother.

So that's how we ended up with a herd of nine cows! We wouldn't be without any of them. They all have their own endearing characteristics and are strongly bonded to each other.

Champion

Victor just born. reminded me so much of Champion

The herd Champion came from with his father Buck the bull in the middle.

Victor

Victor is the primary steer. Most like Champion he sharing his Long Horn white and orange coloring, empathic nature and curiosity. He is always the last to follow the herd often mooing loudly to complete about getting left behind. He is best friends with Atlas and Spends a lot of time with Eurydice!

Blossom

Blossom is the oldest cow and the boss of the herd. She spends a lot of time with her adult calf Hugo and her best friend Ruby. She loves food, being brushed and is good at solving puzzles.

Hugo

Also known as Lord Tubbington, Hugo is Blossom’s son he came to the farm at two months old and is now the tamest cow always happy to be stroked and coming when called. He is playful and enjoys spending time running around with the younger calves. He is close to his mom and enjoys getting groomed by her. He also shares her love of food.

Eurydice

Eurydice is the second oldest cow and one of the most curious. She is mom to Atlas and Sweetie and grandmother to Mickie. Though more solitary than the other cows she often spends time with Victor.

Atlas

Atlas is the second steer part of the largest family group he is often found baby sitting the younger cows. He has a slight limp in his back leg but that doesn’t prevent him from exploring and grazing with the others. More shy than the other cows he is still sensitive to being touched.

Sweetie

Sweetie is the youngest mom. Eurydice’s daughter she came to the farm a heifer and had her first calf Micky with us. She is a loving mom and spends a lot of time licking him. She is one of the tamest cows: happy to be stroked and always looking to people to see if they will bring her food. She is very close to her brother Atlas.

Mickey

Mickey is one of our two calves. Sweetie’s son he was born on the farm. He is a confident cow fearless in engaging with the older steers head pushing or trying to mount them. He spends a lot of time playing with Poppy the other calf. He is one of the tamest cows and most likely to approach people looking for snacks or to suckle on a hand.

Ruby

Ruby is the third oldest cow and the most social and will often be found grooming the other cows. She loves food. She is mom to Poppy and known for allowing other calves to nurse. She best friends with Blossom most often seen grazing side by side with her.

Poppy

Poppy is our youngest. Though Ruby’s calf, she spends most of her time with the younger cows, except when nursing. She loves to run and skip. Often appearing to be in her own world she enjoys sniffing and licking the different plants and objects she encounters on the farm. She is still shy with people.