Any reason you don’t disbud those goats as kids? Turkeys are good for their meat that's it. Somebody cue the Elton John… Circle of Life … ahh, I feel better already :^), Ha ha, thanks Jim! But there they stood, crowded around the gate, mooing incessantly for ‘greener grass’ just on the other side of the fence. Get rid of the goats.. that was the final straw for me.. walking back to my car at the market one day and seeing goat crap all over the roof. I notice sheep mostly tend to follow fence lines. Most importantly, if I’m ever going to be a great farmer, I need the wisdom to listen to what they’re saying. Your father reminds me of my own in habits and personality. Answer. You write in a way that I can relate and even laugh — living on a farm myself — and say, ‘Yep. Imagine: allowing a cow think like a cow, instead of trying to make her think like a human. I started reading this post and I was thinking, After everything I had been reading in my desire to start raising livestock upon my return to the family farm after a 35 year absence,my thoughts were turning to the fact that the dumbest animal on this farm, at present, was ME! But as I walked closer, I began to notice something else. Sometimes I see where Gardner God has “planted” something and this is my clue as to what would best grow in that spot. Great post Forrest. Imagine: allowing a cow think like a cow, instead of trying to make her think like a human. Thanks for your insight. I’ll do my best to keep them coming :^). His book Gaining Ground, A Story of Farmers’ Markets, Local Food and Saving the Family Farm (Click HERE) was named a Top Read by The Washington Post and NPR. A recent post What’s the Dumbest Farm Animal is sure to elicit a chuckle! Where would I sleep on a hot day if I were a pig? Observing the cattle and sheep on a wintry January morning. Why is it we think our pets are so smart, yet are inclined to dismiss the intellect of farm animals? ... Studies have shown that these are dumbest birds on earth. As you well know, finesse and timing are EVERYthing when it comes to properly handling sheep, and even the ‘simplest’ details can be the difference between stress and satisfaction. Let me know what you think, and best of luck! If you like this post, I’ve got a new one going up on grazing with chickens later today. Although there was still lots of grass, it had been trampled, pooped and peed on. All it took was walking a mile in my cow’s shoes… I mean, err… hooves. http://www.condenaststore.com/-sp/Do-you-ever-ask-yourself-humanely-raised-for-what-New-Yorker-Cartoon-Prints_i9560763_.htm, […] is seriously hysterical – and also really inspirational. You know, they were the dumbest birds…”, “Everyone says sheep are stupid, but have you ever watched a cow drooling and slobbering? My greatest help on this subject was renaming their thinking ability from “dumb” to “simple”. This shift in philosophy was easily transferred to my chickens, pigs turkeys and sheep. Over the years, I’ve heard every opinion under the sun. Forrest’s new book The Farmer In Your Kitchen: A Celebration Of Extraordinary Farms And Local Flavors is slated for release in Fall 2015, from the award-winning press The Experiment. Don’t get me wrong though… I don’t think I’ll ever be able to keep goats from pooping on my car. I didn’t invent the circle of life, but I humbly accept my part. Most of the animals mentioned live up to their potential. But that doesn’t mean we can’t live a life of thoughtfulness and conscientiousness, and try to farm organically and sustainably with a balance of livestock and vegetation. One part of this job that I love is that it forces me to get out of my own head and see things from a radically different POV (even if it is a chicken’s). The dumbest farm animal wasn’t a cow, a pig or a chicken. They come down for it … I have been reading a lot lately about the power of opening our minds and changing our perspectives on, well, everything and this is a great example of it. My kind of cooking and…, Hi Sal—- I would not recommend kitchen scraps because of legitimate risk…, Stay Cool with Liquid Health: Pho Base and Sipping Broth. I too have farmed many types of livestock. And when things don’t go right—when the pigs tip over the new feeder and ruin their grain, or the turkeys roost on top of their hutch instead of sheltering inside—it’s tempting to throw my hands in the air and shout “Come on… why are you guys so stupid? If that makes me a slave owner in your eyes, then that makes me feel a little sad, but you’re entitled to your opinion. Smith Meadows, his farm, was one of the first “grass finished” operations in the country, and has sold at leading farmers’ markets in the Washington DC area for two decades. I’ve been down that road of “everything is stupid” daily… very good references to the philosophy side of the world too! No matter how enlightened we become, some battles just can’t be won. Forrest Pritchard is a professional farmer and writer, holding degrees in English and Geology from the College of William and Mary. If you want the full story, Gaining Ground is available for sale on […]. But to be a good farmer, I need to pay attention to what my animals are trying to tell me. Because I’m a livestock farmer, people love to share their opinions about animal intelligence with me. In essence, I was telling cows to climb trees. What’s the Dumbest Farm Animal?

Mjrp University Logo, 15 Huntsman Run, Senoia, Ga, Cls 350 Engine 2020, Project Management Presentation Ppt, Hungry Wolfs Terrigal, Surah Sajdah Full, 7 Learning Styles Pdf, Loch Quoich Landslip, Audi R8 Price Second Hand, Raphiolepis Oriental Pearl, What Colors Go With Behr Blueprint, I 'm Not Tired Yet Meme, Moen Towel Bar Mounting Bracket Replacement, Reasons To Travel Abroad During Lockdown, How To Make 50k In A Month, Ged Science Study Guide 2020 Pdf, I 'm Not Tired Yet Meme, Tory Burch Mini Bag, Philosophy Summer Shower Gel, Side Lying External Rotation Muscles Worked, Mid Size School Bus, Salvage Exotic Sports Cars For Sale, Do Lord Remember Me Meaning, Jio Tv Mod Apk For Android Tv Full Screen, Trichocereus Santaensis Potency, Peloton Treadmill Uk, How To Remove Kingston Brass Diverter Valve,