He is not one to shirk a challenge but even Karl Stefanovic couldn't tame Kaylee the cow in a milking competition.

The Today host donned a mustache and his customary navy suit and knelt down to face co host Lisa Wilkinson and her bovine pal Millie when his animal kicked off.

Leaping up as the flame-coloured cow hind-kicked him in the arm, Karl , 41, urged the rattled animal to 'settle down' before glancing at his nether regions to declare: 'Great, I've got custard all over me.'

Pull the udder one! Karl Stefanovic is kicked in the arm by Kaylee the cow in a milking competition leaving his nether regions splattered with 'custard'

Hind kick: The 41-year-old Today host rubbed the bovine's rear in an attempt to settle her but she lashed out nonetheless

The TV hosts had taken to the hinterland of Maleny in Queensland to take part in the milking challenge watched by cheering crowds.

Karl was told by the farm hand that his beast was normally milked at 5am and was ready for the taking.

The agitated cow shuffled from hind leg to hind leg as Karl urged her to 'settle down, babe, we're going to have a go...'

'Settle down, babe, we're going to have a go...' The Today host attempted to calm his beast

Determined: A besuited Karl had another go at Kaylee for the morning show filmed in Maleny, Queensland

But there was no taming Kaylee who struck out and kicked him hard in the right arm causing his to leap to his feet.

A second attempt at milking her lasted just seconds before Kaylee struck out again, causing the chuckling presenter to spill the contents of his milk jug down his trousers.

As the crowd erupted in rapturous applause, a beaming Karl stood up, adjusted his fake mustache, and declared: 'Great, that worked out well, I've got a broken arm and custard all over me...it doesn't get any better people.'

Whoah! Kaylee was not impressed with the Today host's milking technique

An udder fail: Karl stood up to rapturous applause, adjusted his fake mustache, and declared: 'Great, that worked out well, I've got a broken arm and custard all over me...' Pictured with Lisa Wilkinson

Fellow presenter Lisa, 55, didn't have much luck herself when she urged her rattled cow to quieten down.

'I remember this from my breast feeding days, Millie,' she whispered in an attempt to calm her animal down.

Popular breakfast anchor Karl will host the station's 'provocative' new late night panel show which airs next Thursday at 8:30pm.

Oh dear: The presenter's navy suit was left splattered with milk

And he couldn't be more excited, warning fans: 'Hold onto your hats, folks. It might get bumpy.'

The new show will discuss a number of controversial topics at length and is being touted as a cross between ABC's Q&A and Channel Ten's The Project.

'I'm really looking forward to getting beyond the headlines with The Verdict,' he said.

The affable television personality has previously expressed interest in taking on a more hard hitting role and has hinted he won't be holding back on expressing his opinion on controversial topics.

Competition: Karl and Lisa went head to head in a milking competition

'Each week on the panel we will canvass a range of opinions to reflect our society,' he said.

'I know our top-shelf production team will be carefully choosing topics and panellists to represent the broadest range of opinions on matters confronting us all – and I'm never lacking one, so I can't wait to get amongst it.'

In a promo video released for the new show, Karl adds that 'Nothing and no one is off limits.'

Karl will be joined on the show by a panel of experts from a range of diverse backgrounds.