I will carry something about a meter long (like a sprig of dock or possibly a stick) vertically so it sticks above my head and walk purposefully without looking them in the eye. I walk around the herd (near a field wall/hedge if possible). The item is not being offered for food and could possibly be a weapon. I find that i am usually watched, but usually not followed. If a cow/steer comes too close, i'll wave the item towards their face & they normally back off. If its easy to cross into a parallel field (which has no or fewer cattle) i'll do so.

Occasionally a group of cattle will gather around a gate in the field wall which i'm approaching. If so, i'll head to another point of the field wal & cross over. Of course, this is easier if there are field walls instead of hedges.