A curious ad appeared on the online buy-and-sell site Gumtree on Tuesday evening advertising an Ashgrove Farm ‘happy cow’ was going free to a good home. 

“We’re looking for a forever home for one of our udderly beautiful Ashgrove ‘cows’,” the advert stated.

But you’ll have to get in quick, the cow is only available on April 1, to be picked up between 10am and midday. 

The farm has said it will only give the cow, called Bessie, to a good home, with the advert stating, “We love our cows, so she must go to a good home.

“She will need a patch of fresh, green grass – please bring proof.”

Anyone planning to hoof it to the farm to pick her up is advised to, “Bring a ute or a trailer along – she won’t fit in a family sedan.”

Ashgrove Farm marketing and communications manager Anne Bennett said the idea was a way to generate “a bit of community goodwill and happiness and fun”.

Ms Bennett said the post received 900 clicks in the first five hours after being posted and received 30 emails about the ad, including some inquiries from some well-known Northern tourist brands.

Ms Bennett is expecting fierce competition for the new owners of Bessie, who she has confirmed will leave to a new home on Saturday. 

“I’m expecting a line of cars to be there when I arrive on Saturday morning,” she said.