Farm Animal Conundrum

[Devonian]

One of the major reasons farmers bring cows in from the fields during the winter is not just because of the grazing/lack of grass, it is actually also to do with maintaining the land.

Even a small herd of cows grazing across a few connected fields will soon wreck the ground during the winter if it is wet or waterlogged. Its the pure size and weight of the animals trampling across the ground. There is also a greater risk of injury (expensive vet bills) on soft ground and frozen ground.

Grazing is still available during the winter, after all sheep do not get brought in, they are left out in the fields all year round, but their smaller size and weight is less damaging to the fields.

As for when to free them, I would say, when they are no longer being looked after. Let them out to early and they will end up as road kill.

I do however think that large numbers will however simply be slaughtered either by survivors, or by TPTB to feed those in the cities/camps.