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By 1888, New York politician and sometimes rancher Theodore Roosevelt described Western stockmen as "the pioneers of civilization," who with "their daring and adventurousness make the after settlement of the region possible."

The court heard the cows were being turned out from two large winter sheds to summer grazing fields by farmer Alistair Nixon and two experienced stockmen.

Mr Gent said as a stockman, Mr Nixon would ensure the farm did not keep cattle that were aggressive or "over-protective".

Mr Roan was described as an "experienced stockman" and the risks associated with cattle-handing "would have been well known to him".

Although each woman endures her own tribulations, they operate as a unit to quietly foil the efforts of the “stockman” hired to impregnate them, even though the penalty for discovery could be severe.