Odd isn't it? That meat eaters want to help save animals. No, not really when you actually think about it. Most these animals would not matter to people if it wasn't for the hunters and the meat eating farmers and homesteaders. Conservation by eating. Maybe it does sound strange to some people. I know back in the day it would have to me. But now, no. . . it makes sense.
If you are not going to eat them, what do you do with them? You can not breed without population control, or your land would become overwhelmed with your livestock. You control the pet population by "fixing", but when it comes to livestock, the only reasonable option is edible. Most people that wish to help save a rare breed of livestock, do not have the funding to allow them to wonder around their backyards. So profit needs to be made while you help bring a breed back from near extinction. And I really doubt too many people would be willing to pay a cover charge to come out to your land to look at the breed. These statements are not meant for the majority of you that read this blog. This is a statement to those of you that come here to criticize and be down right awful because I butcher my own meat.
Now on to why I brought this up. Monica made a post the other day about the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Honestly I had not heard of them before, so I went and took a look. They have lists! Oh joy! I have been looking at rare breed milking cows, and now I now what ones I should prioritize in my look.
I was thinking about getting a Dexter or three, they are on the recovery list. Now I am looking at the Florida Cracker or the milking Devon. Here is were I will need more research to decide which is better for my family and my land.
I have also discovered while looking through the list that I have several animals already there, such as our sheep named Donkey, our goose, and some of our new chickens.
Do you find any of your livestock on the list?
Climbing down my Kansas made soapbox. ;)
15 comments:
I vote for the Dexter. (Mainly because the horns look shorter and less dangerous.)
Makes perfect sense to me. Some of the best wildlife conservationists I know are hunters who eat what they kill -- they know the animals and care for them, but also don't want the populations out of control. Not quite the same as homesteading, but the same basic principle.
-- Buffra
Count me as a vegan* who agrees with you! I have much more respect for people who raise and butcher their own meat than people who buy it in pretty little packages at the store. I am new to your blog and look forward to reading more of your "adventures." Good luck on the new milking cow!
*I'm vegan because I don't agree with factory farming and live in the city.
alrescate, I know they do seem safer, but come on! those long horn Crackers are perfect for me ;)
Buffra, same lines.
Niffer, welcome to my little homestead. I too was a vegan for many many years, for the same reason.
Naw. I like the milking Devon better! Just cause your a cracker doesn't mean you need a cracker cow. *grin*
HAHAHA! Marina and I...ok I, talked about naming the donkey Cracker or whitetrash :D
I agree wholeheartly with the 'rare breed' aspect. We have just got some Southdown sheep (which have just dropped off the rare breed list in the UK) - but the sentiment was there. They dropped off the rare breed list mainly due to small breeders gradually building up the numbers of breeding ewes over the last 20 years or so.
One thing to consider though is local support, experts and stock (for ensuring the correct bloodlines for rare breeds) - if there is someone helpful and reasonably local to you already has some rare breeds, you may be best considering the same type of beast - you can then use them as your mentor and contact.
I guess the scale and distance of things in the USA may mean that you could be a fair distance from your nearest rare breed keeper.
The ALBC may be able to advise you of members in your area.
Anyway - good luck with whichever cattle breed you go for.
PS: Nice blog...I look forward to reading more about how things are done in Kansas.
Yes I had to think about that one when I first read about it ... eating them ensures that their breeding continues, supply and demand. As a result we rear Gloucester Old Spot rare breed pigs, infact two weaners arrive thisevening and I must be as excited as you have been about the arrival of your little Firefly!
Not a proper Farmer, welcome to my litle part of the world. I saw your sheep the other day. They have very interesting faces, that's what struck out to me. I know I have seen them before, never had the name though.
oh, and I wouldn't judge the Kansas homesteader by my example. I am clumsy and tend to make many mistakes because I jump when I should have scooted.
Irish Sally. I saw you had some new pigs coming in. Now that is cool. We aren't allowed to have pigs in my county, so I am just going to have to enjoy them through you.
We don't have the meat on our acreage, but are part of the family meat operation. Tomorrow we are going out for chicken day. It is funny, I was talking to someone this morning, who has not experienced it and the comment he made was that when you do you own meat, you have more respect and appreciation for the life. We will do turkeys in a month, and we are picking up our share of beef that is in my parents freezer because we were on holidays when it was ready. We also have eggs from my sisters farm and have milk from them as well. We have a coup that we will get fixed up and will have laying hens come spring. I am so thankful to be in the position to do the work and have the food such that we know what it is.
we are getting Dexters. They need less land, are hardy and not so picky on their feed, and are good for milk and meat. Never new they were on a recovery list though. Always learn something new.
Dawn, I agree. I wrote something similar on a post I did last year when I butchered a rooster for the first time.
mommymommy, wonderful. I have been meeting a few people that have Dexters. I am looking at cottage cattle, but still trying to decide.
Personally, I vote for one or two of each kind...more variety!
Lisa, right now our acerage is too small for too many grazers. rumor has it more land is in my future though.
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