More heifers for beef - Value of heifers

Rob R · Post by **Rob R** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 2:58 pm

The level of diversity created by a well managed livestock farm is immense- the great fertile plains for the US & Africa were created by large grazing herbivores, while the former have been largely depleted in less than a century by commercial arable crops. The levels of animal farming as they stand are not necessarily sustainable, but not because they are there but the way they are reared.

Woodmagic · Post by **Woodmagic** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 4:31 pm

I am not advocating the elimination of Dexters, simply pointing out how difficult it is to find a logical answer. I am not an arable farmer Clive, in my early days I seem to remember we took certain precautions to try and eliminate murdering the wild life when we moved into harvest, but everything was at a different pace then. I only take one silage cut and not till the middle of July, which hopefully avoids the nesting birds. If the age of total vegans does eventually transpire, they will probably have a completely different outlook on cropping. Meanwhile I feel it would be a move in the right direction, if feed lots were eliminated and cattle were kept in humane conditions, in numbers that didn’t insist on chemically providing insurance against the diseases that the overcrowding ensures. Man is now exploiting the fertile plains of South Africa and America; the fertility was built up by wild animals kept in reasonable numbers by natures design

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 4:49 pm

My partner Chris is deeply upset that he ran over a female pheasant with the topper a few days ago but he made sure she was completely dead and checked for any eggs, there were none or he would have put them in the incubator. However one of the local buzzards was delighted with the outcome, I took a photo of him relishing his picnic.

The pace of farming is much faster than it was when I was a girl in the 60s and also the width of each machine is much greater, it does make it harder to spot wildlife but I do remember everyone would do their best then to keep an eye and I am sure that hasn't changed.

When the mower cut the legs off a young hare in the early 70s I was suprised to see that our tough, macho tractor driver was visibly upset.

Rob R · Post by **Rob R** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 6:54 pm

It's about creating a balance, get the balance right & both food animals & wildlife can prosper, get it wrong & neither do. I think the extreme idea of veganism will be as destructive as intensive farming, if we can settle at somewhere in the middle, and also keep our own numbers at a sensible level, then it'll be good for all. There was an interesting programme the other week on Radio 4 about the diminising soil biodiversity- which is an issue that I think the vegan movement doesn't often tackle, being more concerned with macro-diversity. If we continue to neglect our soils we are more likely to face shortages in the future, regardless of wether that is a vegan or omnivorous diet.

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 11:32 pm

Hi Peter,

I've never eaten a Dexter older than 28 months so won't know until the fall how the 6 year old turns out. I am told she will be tough but should be edible if slow cooked. I'll do mince and sausages too. That's what I really miss about the UK...fabulous sausages! :D

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:42 am

When I used to help a friend in the 70's to make his hay we always connected a bar from the front of the tractor that was the same width as the mower. From this bar at about one foot apart chains where fixed that stopped about six inches from the ground. When mowing this flushed any pheasants and prevented any nasty accidents, quite simple really. In winter we would then shoot the saved pheasants and have a nice dinner, yummy!

Martin.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:59 am

Just read this Martin. I was waiting for the punch line :D