The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word GRAZING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
G
R
A
Z
I
N
G
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Cows might be" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case cows might be = grazing.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does GRAZING mean?
GRAZING verb- To feed or supply (cattle, sheep, etc.) with grass; to furnish pasture for.
- To feed on; to eat (growing herbage); to eat grass from (a pasture)
- To tend (cattle, etc.) while grazing.
- To eat periodically throughout the day, rather than at fixed mealtimes.
- To shoplift by consuming food or drink items before reaching the checkout.
- To rub or touch lightly the surface of (a thing) in passing.
- To cause a slight wound to; to scratch.
- To yield grass for grazing.
- Grazeland.
- The action of animals eating, mainly of grass in a field or on other grassland.