‘Moo-ving’ moment for community as cows are released into spring pasture

This annual event is called ‘Letting Out the Cows’, an 8-year tradition in the rural community, marking the beginning of spring

Each year, on a spring day, something magical happens at a local farm in Uxbridge Ontario.

Crowds gather near a pasture with their eyes peeled to a barn. Then, an explosion of movement and rush entails as cows charge into an open green field after a long winter indoors.

This annual event is called ‘Letting Out the Cows’, an eight year tradition in the rural community, marking not just the start of spring but a celebration of new beginnings.

“The cows have been in the barnyard all winter long waiting for the grass to finally grow long enough for them to graze on,” shared volunteers from the Uxbridge farm. “In previous years, they have been known to run, dance, and jump all the way out into the field when they are finally let out.”

This year’s event takes place on Sunday, at 3 p.m., at the Farmhouse Garden Animal Home located off of Line 12. Once those barn doors open, the cows after a long and cold winter inside are finally reunited with the fresh spring air.

It welcomed over 300 visitors to feed and view the animals.

How this cow tale all began

The origins of this tradition date back to the summer of 2016. Mike Lanigan once a traditional cattle farmer made a huge decision. After bonding deeply with a newborn calf, he said he began to question the ethics of a system that nurtured animals only to kill them.

Though he had always cared for his animals, this moment of reflection made it possible to turn the page on a new chapter of his career.

Lanigan said he gave up animal agriculture and transformed his family’s farm into Farmhouse Garden Animal Home, a sanctuary where rescued farm animals live out their natural lives.

Instead of raising livestock for meat, Mike now grows organic vegetables and advocates for a greener way of farming.

Each attendee on Sunday can buy a ticket online and join in on the event. All, 100 per cent of proceeds, according to volunteers, go directly toward caring for the animals and running humane education programming.