Free Range Farming Reduces Mad Cow
Back To Basics Using Centuries Old Methods That Keep Cattle Healthy
Using old free range techniques on the modern farms reduces the risk of Mad Cow and other diseases.
For centuries cattle farmers have run their herds wild on open tracks of pasture foraging grasses, legumes and tree bark in search of nutrients. The growing population eventually drove a stake into the ground and teathered free range cattle ensuring the rapid growth of commercial feedlots. In the last hundred years the number of free range farms dwindled to a mere handful.
More and more cattle were needed to feed the rapidly expanding population. New cattle feed was developed, until finally the cannibalistic practice of making cattle feed out of the bits of cattle (offal) that are not fed to humans.
When cattle are left on their own to pasture and roam freely they are healthier. Everything cattle need to sustain health comes from the earth, plants and trees. The risk of over-grazing can be managed through responsible grazing practices.
- Rotating fields
- Water and shade
- Feed grains
Rotating pastures with crop fields annually ensures that no one field will become nutrient deficient. By sectioning off your farm into three the rotation cycle for pasture is 1:3. This means that every third year a field becomes pasture, allowing soil and grasses to replenish. Plowing under thrash and manure stock-piled from winter will maintain a working level of nutrients in the soil. Be aware: this makes the soil nitrogen rich, so you need to keep track of the types of crops grown.
Rotating the crops grown will regulate the soil quality. Some good crops to grow along with your barley, oats and wheat are legumes.
Alfalfa, Alsike Clover, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Black Medick, Crown Vetch, Red Clover, Sweet Clover, Tufted Vetch, White Clover
Remeber: every five years pasture grasses need to be planted before the field becomes pasture.
Timothy, Smooth Bromegrass, Meadow Bromegrass, Orchard Grass, Reed Canary Grass, Creeping Red Fescue, Meadow Fescue, Tall Fescue, Meadow Foxtail, Kentucky Bluegrass, Canada Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Red Top, Quack Grass
Water and shade are paramount to the survival of the herd. Rocky or overly hilly areas should be used as shade and watering spots. If you have a creek or natural pond on your farm you're laughing. Just make sure there are enough shade trees. Willows work best and will grow in most climates. Make sure there are lots of deciduous trees as your livestock will chew the bark as a source of minerals.
Unless you plan to haul fresh water you will need to dig watering holes; three should do the trick. The water holes should slope to a center depth of eight to ten feet and thirty feet diameter. The first hole on the highest elevation with each subsequent hole on lower elevations. Join all the watering holes with drainage ditches, the last hole draing out into the field. This will help keep the water moving as you don't want it becoming stagnant promoting desease and insect growth.
Feed grains that are purchased from a feed supplier should be checked for ingredients. There are alot of feeds being manufactured containing animal by-products. We are aware this is how Mad Cow Desease got started. You are best off growing your own grains for feed. Barley, Oats, Wheat and Corn can be grown in most climates. In some areas the grains need to be harvested green or near ripened stage, this holds true in the farther northern areas of Canada. A mixture of grains should be fed to the cattle once daily, ensuring a healthy balance of nutrience and forage.
By following these simple practices the cattle that we send to market for beef products can be safer for human consumption.
