I live in a rural area and would like to know how to go about getting my young lurcher used to livestock, all advice welcome!

The usual course is to ensure they do not have the ability to interact with livestock.  Even though my bitch has never been interested in sheep or cows I always keep her on the lead when passing by to avoid any missundersanding with the farmer and to ensure the stock are not stressed by seeing her running about.  Safely on the lead, you can build up her experience to reduce her reaction or excitement to increase your enjoyment of walks but I would never trust her to be off the lead personally.

I agree with Isabel. I always keep my dogs on leads around livestock -after all, if nothing else I have to live around here and want to stay friendly with the farmers so need to be responsible.  Before all the cows were taken indoors for the winter I took my pups down to the gate of the field they were in to see them frequently just to teach them it was nothing out of the ordinary and they very soon started to ignore them altogether.

>>>>Before all the cows were taken indoors for the winter I took my pups down to the gate of the field they were in to see them frequently just to teach them it was nothing out of the ordinary and they very soon started to ignore them altogether.<<<<

Thats what we do with ours- they used to be fascinated with the cows, horses, sheep etc in the field but become so used to seeing them they dont bat an eyelid when the cows cross the road from one field to another or when a horserider passes them . Though they are always on lead of course

Expose them often enough to livestock until they produce the "oh not one of those again, how boring" response.

Be warned, livestock habituation should be lifelong, it is not a one off; also be aware that you could have a bomb proof dog in a field of sheep but this does not necessarily translate to when one pops up out of nowhere if you are walking on the moors etc; Sudden environmental contrast (SEC) is what and why many dogs who are ace with pets at home, and livestock in most situations can go AWOL when met with a deer out of the blue, or hare, sheep etc..............

Thanks for the feedback everyone! My terrier was a devil for the sheep when she was younger and I wanted to forestall any similar problems with the lurcher. The terrier has actually relaxed a lot about the sheep since moving to the countryside, I put it down to the sheep being herded past the house quite frequently. She used to throw herself onto the windowsill and go beserk when I first moved in but she barely looks at them now. I'd never trust her off the lead with them though, it would be too much temptation for her. Cheers again, hopefully I'll have a happy relaxed pup and stay on good terms with the farmer :)

You could of course approach the farmer to socialise pup around stock at close quarters when a baby.

I live on a farm with livestock and the best way is to keep walking the pup/dog on a lead past them, getting closer and closer to the field. Once you are happy that the dog is going to ignore them then try walking through a field with the dog on a lead and go from there.

I still refuse to walk in a field of cattle for the pure reason they are mega interested in my boy and start to charge to find out what is going on - apparently he is seen to look like a very young calf due to his size and colour.
Also be aware that Luchers are known to chase, which in my mind from friends who have sight sounds they will always keep their dogs on a lead when going anywhere near livestock, they do it to protect their dogs.

The main concern would be sheep being bothered, my boy remains on a lead when around them, they are timid and tend to run away, the last thing you need is your dog thinking this is a great game and to chase them about...
No matter how bomb proof your dog is there may always be that one time when he surprises you, and that could end up with your dog being in big trouble.
A farmer has every right to shoot your dog if he/she feels its worrying his sheep on his land.