Pumpkin, ABAC’s unofficial mascot and matriarch cow, has passed away. Pumpkin was known all over campus for her eye-catching coat pattern, her age, and her community involvement. She earned a right that is often unheard of in beef cattle: retirement.
Pumpkin was born March 3, 2003, right here at the ABAC Beef Unit. From just the first few days of her life, Mr. Doug Hicks, ABAC beef herd manager, knew she was special.
“We could trace over the last 22 years, over 400 head of cattle that had been born here at ABAC, somewhere in their pedigree… there was her,” said Dr. Mary Ellen Hicks, veterinarian and professor of animal science, about the life of Pumpkin.
Pumpkin was an F1 Braford (first generation, half Brahman, half Hereford) beef cow.
Mr. Hicks was out working on a water line in a cow-calf pasture and noticed “eared” (of Brahman relation) calves approaching. He wondered what the reaction of their dams would be, due to the typically flighty and sometimes aggressive nature of Brahman and Brahman crossed cattle.
These two calves turned out to be Pumpkin and her sister-by-bull, La Lingua. They approached and even allowed him to touch them, and Pumpkin’s tiger-like appearance stood out. Pumpkin would continue to become more affectionate and mild tempered, as well as being a good mother, securing her spot in the herd.
Over time, professors started using her in class for examples; tours for potential students and dignitaries would go visit her, often having photos taken with her. She continued her job as a cow, providing calves for the herd up until spring of 2020, as well as her job as an ABAC representative up until her recent passing.
Her temperament, lifespan, and mothering abilities showed the potential of Braford cattle and have made an impact on the perception of the cross.
Up until the end of her life, Pumpkin received the utmost care from Dr. Hicks and her other personal veterinarian Dr. Angie McDaniel from UGA. Pumpkin and her sister La Lingua were housed
together near the end of her life, as
they always wanted to be.
La Lingua is still living at the Beef Unit. La Lingua’s name was coined from her habit of licking the students. It has been hard to include every impact Pumpkin’s life had on the people at ABAC and beyond, but cattle tag #300’s legacy will continue to affect the community.