Susanna Freymark
The cows are late and a crowd has gathered around the fence. Some of the people point out their number painted on the washable mat on the road.
The $2 tickets for lotto are sold out. All that is needed now are the cows.
Gordon and Janelle have been bringing their cows from Bentley to Casino Beef Week for decades.
It is Breakfast with the Butchers today, Friday, May 30 and cow pat lotto is an anticipated event.
One woman from Brisbane said she’d come down specially to see it.
Eventually the cows arrive and they are led around the fenced area.
Every time a cow’s tail twitches, the crowd leans in — Is this it? Will the cow pat land on my number?
Everyone is chatting, watching — some people have placed a bet and don’t even know what the prize is (it’s a gift basket).
The important thing is the cow pat and the number it lands on.
And the money raised for Bentley Preschool.
After about 15 minutes, there is a splodge — the poop has landed. There are cheers.
The second cow fails to poop and eventually is led back to the cattle truck.
It’s all over for another year.
The Channel 7 news crew moves on.
The crowd disperses and the two cows go back to the paddock to chew grass and perhaps wonder why so many people are interested in their poop.
Here are more photos from today’s cow pat lotto.
Photos: Susanna Freymark