Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Looking to Ranching

Ranching has something to teach us
Courtney White Monday, August 11, 2008

As the 21st century unfolds, it’s becoming clear that we need more family farmers and ranchers on the land, not fewer. We need them not only for the food they provide, but also for a lesson in how to live on the land.

It’s an ironic turn of events.

For decades, livestock grazing in the arid West was attacked by environmentalists — vilified as an “irredeemable” activity that had to be ended on public lands, pronto.

Environmental activists extolled the sins of cattle in the scientific literature, full-page advertisements in major newspapers, colorful coffee-table books, and countless articles and lectures. Some cited writer Edward Abbey, who famously described the Western range as “cowburnt” and denounced cattle as “hooved locusts.” Read More

Ranchers have always depended on the land in order to make a living. Managing the grass and developing new and better water sources not only helps utilize the land more efficiently, but it also benefits the wildlife. Improving the land so that it is more productive will always be the goal of ranchers.

1 comment:

Candylei said...

Yes, Yes! I agree. Even better is for more farmers and ranchers to go organic with less pesticides. Nurture the land. Nice blog.