Holstein calf with smiling face markings lands role as farm lawnmower for life

Authored by abc.net.au and submitted by Sandstorm400

It must have been hard not to crack a smile the morning this unusually marked cow was born.

Key points: "Happy" the Holstein was born in West Gippsland earlier this week

"Happy" the Holstein was born in West Gippsland earlier this week The calf's breeders say they have never seen markings like his

The calf's breeders say they have never seen markings like his Happy will remain on the farm as a lawnmower and pet

Megan and Barry Coster breed about 700 calves a year at their stud farm in Ripplebrook in West Gippsland.

But of the thousands of calves they have bred over the years, none have come out with markings like a particular young Holstein born this week.

"We've seen some number sevens or love hearts on the head and a few strange markings, but we've never seen anything that resembles a smiley face before," Mrs Coster said.

Barry Coster collected the young Holstein — now affectionately known as "Happy" — during his morning rounds this week.

When he picked the calf up there was little to differentiate him from the rest of the herd.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 2 minutes 53 seconds 2 m 53 s 'Happy' the Gippsland dairy calf puts smiles on faces

However, upon turning him around, Mr Coster was shocked to see a face smiling back at him.

He sent a photo straight to his wife.

"I couldn't believe it — I actually zoomed in at first to make sure that none of our workers had added some extra lines or anything, " Mrs Coster said.

Nearly 1.4 million of Australia’s 1.65 million dairy cows are Holsteins such as these, according to Dairy Australia. ( Rose Grant )

The unique markings have secured Happy's place on the farm in perpetuity.

Bobby calves such as "Happy" are animals, less than a month old that, on a dairy farm, are surplus to replacing the existing milking herd.

Happy's unique colouring means he's quickly become a staff favourite.

Despite being unlikely to join the Coster's roster of stud bulls, has found a new niche for himself.

"He's going to join those bulls and become a bit of a pet," Mrs Coster said.

"A few of our workers are keen to have him as a pet and a lawnmower in their yards as well.

Rydeeee on March 18th, 2023 at 18:04 UTC »

Aren’t all pasture cows lawnmowers for life? It’s just that some live longer than others.

Devi1_May_Cry on March 18th, 2023 at 11:52 UTC »

"I'm not penned in here with you; you're penned in here with me!"

redcobra762 on March 18th, 2023 at 10:36 UTC »

Lawn-mooer