A dairy farmer from Quebec is on a mission to locate a herd of Holstein cattle that escaped over the weekend. The farmer, François Morissette, reported that 24 young animals broke through their enclosure after being startled by fireworks on Saturday night.
Since their escape, the cattle have scattered into smaller groups and have traveled several kilometers away from their home base in Saint-Gabriel-de-Rimouski, which is located approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Quebec City. The situation has been challenging for Morissette, who has managed to round up 15 of the young cattle, but nine animals are still unaccounted for.
To aid in the search, Morissette has enlisted the assistance of family and neighbors. One of the neighbors has taken to using a drone, which has proven to be a valuable tool in locating the lost cattle. The use of drones in farming has been on the rise, and in this case, it provides a modern solution to a traditional problem of tracking down wandering livestock.
Morissette has expressed determination to recapture the remaining cattle, despite the difficulties posed by their movement into wooded areas. In such terrains, it becomes significantly harder to track the animals, but Morissette has affirmed that he will not give up on the effort.
The incident underscores the various challenges faced by farmers, particularly when livestock management intersects with unexpected events such as fireworks. The reliance on technology, such as drones, alongside community support highlights the contemporary approaches being adopted in the agricultural sector to address such issues effectively.
This combines traditional farming practices with modern innovations, showcasing how farmers are adapting to new circumstances while managing their livestock and the land.