The current trend in agriculture is toward organic farming, grass fed beef, and free range chickens. The food that is produced is often more expensive than that which has been sprayed with chemicals and injected with hormones, but many health conscious individuals don't mind paying more for what are considered safer foods produced in a more humane way. There are even large corporations testing the feasibility of farming sustainability using goats.
While there is certainly a cost associated with keeping livestock, it can be a good source of income as well. A goat may produce milk and cheese or be slaughtered for meat. There is a growing market for all these products although most Americans will not find goat milk or meat in their local grocery stores. Coats can be sheared and the wool gathered and sold to fabric manufacturers and specialty weavers.
Sheep, cattle and goat herds usually co-exist harmoniously if they have plenty of room to roam. They need pastureland for grazing and water sources to keep them well nourished. Fencing and cross-fencing is necessary with livestock who will find a hole in a fence and go through even a small rupture. Whole herds may end up on the road or in neighboring fields if fences are not well maintained.
Many farmers use goat herds to effectively manage brush and weeds. Fewer pesticides are needed where goat herds graze, which is important to consumers concerned about the safety of chemically sprayed produce. Many believe even vigorous washing will not totally remove chemical residue from treated fruits and vegetables.
Fertilizers are another source of concern. Many consumers believe eating produce sprayed with chemicals can have long term negative effects and cause serious health issues. Goat herds are a natural source of fertilizer. Their manure may not be sufficient to completely eliminate the need for sprays, but it can reduce the use of it significantly.
Fields that are worked year after year eventually become nutrient starved, and the soil wears out. When this happens crop yields are reduced and the crops raised will not be as robust as others. Instead of continuously fertilizing, many farmers rotate their fields letting some rest while seeding the remaining ones. They may let the resting fields remain fallow, or turn them into pastures for livestock.
A goat herd will forage on the remains of crops, like seeds, that other types of animals can't digest. This saves the farmer money that would have been used to discard these by-products. They also save in feed costs because the animals are grazing on materials that were left as excess in the fields.
More and more consumers are demanding organic produce and are getting interested in how food is produced. Many are also concerned about the environmental impact the use of toxic sprays, chemicals, and fertilizers has on the earth. Sustainable farming is a good alternative to the traditional methods of getting food from farm to table.
While there is certainly a cost associated with keeping livestock, it can be a good source of income as well. A goat may produce milk and cheese or be slaughtered for meat. There is a growing market for all these products although most Americans will not find goat milk or meat in their local grocery stores. Coats can be sheared and the wool gathered and sold to fabric manufacturers and specialty weavers.
Sheep, cattle and goat herds usually co-exist harmoniously if they have plenty of room to roam. They need pastureland for grazing and water sources to keep them well nourished. Fencing and cross-fencing is necessary with livestock who will find a hole in a fence and go through even a small rupture. Whole herds may end up on the road or in neighboring fields if fences are not well maintained.
Many farmers use goat herds to effectively manage brush and weeds. Fewer pesticides are needed where goat herds graze, which is important to consumers concerned about the safety of chemically sprayed produce. Many believe even vigorous washing will not totally remove chemical residue from treated fruits and vegetables.
Fertilizers are another source of concern. Many consumers believe eating produce sprayed with chemicals can have long term negative effects and cause serious health issues. Goat herds are a natural source of fertilizer. Their manure may not be sufficient to completely eliminate the need for sprays, but it can reduce the use of it significantly.
Fields that are worked year after year eventually become nutrient starved, and the soil wears out. When this happens crop yields are reduced and the crops raised will not be as robust as others. Instead of continuously fertilizing, many farmers rotate their fields letting some rest while seeding the remaining ones. They may let the resting fields remain fallow, or turn them into pastures for livestock.
A goat herd will forage on the remains of crops, like seeds, that other types of animals can't digest. This saves the farmer money that would have been used to discard these by-products. They also save in feed costs because the animals are grazing on materials that were left as excess in the fields.
More and more consumers are demanding organic produce and are getting interested in how food is produced. Many are also concerned about the environmental impact the use of toxic sprays, chemicals, and fertilizers has on the earth. Sustainable farming is a good alternative to the traditional methods of getting food from farm to table.
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