Sandy - no the cattle don't eat the vine. Nor much of anything else. It gets aphids sometimes, but most of the chewing insects don't bother it much. The leaves on those established plants can get 12-14" long and 8-9" wide at the widest part. With the gray green color they look neat. It's an interesting plant. There are currently studies being conducted on using it as a food source. Apparently that huge, starchy root is edible and the plant obviously displays some adaptability for growing in harsh, dry conditions. At this time it just a source of winter food for rodents, birds, o'possums, raccoons, and wild turkey (I know, a bird
) via the gourds. They are already littering the ground down in the pasture and they'll just lie there until winter without much disturbance. They have really tough shells. Mid-winter though, and the mice, rats and squirrels will finally gnaw through the shell exposing the seeds. Then they'll be scattered and become a food source for a lot of wildlife. Mine hasn't bloomed yet after two years, so no gourds. I don't know how long it takes them to mature or if it will never bloom growing in a pot. They are more nuisance than anything else. There are a LOT more unpleasant plants in the pasture.
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