<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Hog farms can benefit rural agriculture and community]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by GreenEngineer http://www.grist.org/article/more-than-one-way-to-raise-a-hog/ Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:31:09 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/more-than-one-way-to-raise-a-hog/1 pasture

The answer to high feed prices in beef operations is intensive, high-frequency pasture rotation systems, which build soil as well as providing good nutrition for the animals.

I wonder if anyone has tried doing something similar with hogs?  What I have in mind is a "pasture" that is actually an orchard of mixed fruit and nut trees/bushes, selected for high productivity and nutrition.  Let the fruit fall, and the hogs munch it up.  The problem, of course, is that it takes much longer to establish "pasture" of this sort than one made of grass.  And I have no idea if this is workable in practice.  I am just curious to know if anyone has tried it on a commercial or semi-commercial scale.

]]> pasture

The answer to high feed prices in beef operations is intensive, high-frequency pasture rotation systems, which build soil as well as providing good nutrition for the animals.

I wonder if anyone has tried doing something similar with hogs?  What I have in mind is a "pasture" that is actually an orchard of mixed fruit and nut trees/bushes, selected for high productivity and nutrition.  Let the fruit fall, and the hogs munch it up.  The problem, of course, is that it takes much longer to establish "pasture" of this sort than one made of grass.  And I have no idea if this is workable in practice.  I am just curious to know if anyone has tried it on a commercial or semi-commercial scale.

]]> Comment #2 by Biodiversivist http://www.grist.org/article/more-than-one-way-to-raise-a-hog/ Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:45:21 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/more-than-one-way-to-raise-a-hog/2 Laws mandating

 a 40 hour work week did not wreck the economy. Neither did laws mandating air pollution controls on cars.

Improved laws governing production of animal products would be a good thing also. If all farmers had to meet the same standards they would all profit equally--a level playing field.

The question is, would the consumer pay more? The answer is probably yes, but I don't think it would be enough to cause hardship to lower income citizens. Catalytic converters on cars also increase their cost. At worst, it would decrease meat consumption but we Americans eat an unhealthy amount of meat as it is.

In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

]]> Laws mandating

 a 40 hour work week did not wreck the economy. Neither did laws mandating air pollution controls on cars.

Improved laws governing production of animal products would be a good thing also. If all farmers had to meet the same standards they would all profit equally--a level playing field.

The question is, would the consumer pay more? The answer is probably yes, but I don't think it would be enough to cause hardship to lower income citizens. Catalytic converters on cars also increase their cost. At worst, it would decrease meat consumption but we Americans eat an unhealthy amount of meat as it is.

In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

]]> Comment #3 by Pangolin http://www.grist.org/article/more-than-one-way-to-raise-a-hog/ Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:07:14 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/more-than-one-way-to-raise-a-hog/3 Oak, walnut, apple, persimmon....

plums, chestnut, mulberry and hickory might do it. Here in California a heavy acorn crop can drop nuts that drift several inches deep.

Of course the real trick anywhere is finding ways of preserving enough feed so that the livestock that can thrive on summers windfalls can make it through the winter.

The deer and wild boar around here do it but I don't know how.

Put the Carbon Back

]]> Oak, walnut, apple, persimmon....

plums, chestnut, mulberry and hickory might do it. Here in California a heavy acorn crop can drop nuts that drift several inches deep.

Of course the real trick anywhere is finding ways of preserving enough feed so that the livestock that can thrive on summers windfalls can make it through the winter.

The deer and wild boar around here do it but I don't know how.

Put the Carbon Back

]]> Comment #4 by Annimal http://www.grist.org/article/more-than-one-way-to-raise-a-hog/ Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:41:29 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/more-than-one-way-to-raise-a-hog/4 Pigs are very intelligent

I'm glad there exist " happy pig" farming.
As a matter of fact pigs are among the 4 most intelligent animals on the Earth.

I have a friend who has a pet pig. Sometimes they go out with a leash ....the pig is very clean , as a dog...

" We commit crimes with the way we keep pigs and other farm animals caged "

]]> Pigs are very intelligent

I'm glad there exist " happy pig" farming.
As a matter of fact pigs are among the 4 most intelligent animals on the Earth.

I have a friend who has a pet pig. Sometimes they go out with a leash ....the pig is very clean , as a dog...

" We commit crimes with the way we keep pigs and other farm animals caged "

]]> Comment #5 by Jones http://www.grist.org/article/more-than-one-way-to-raise-a-hog/ Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:12:22 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/more-than-one-way-to-raise-a-hog/5 the right amount of the right stuff = good eatin'

I heartily agree with Howard's sentiment here:

"Mother Earth never attempts to farm without livestock; she always raises mixed crops..."

I would point out that Mother Nature raises a lot of vegetables for every animal. I figure our own diet ought to reflect that ratio. Less meat, better raised, seems like it's definitely the way to go.

In the past two years I've significantly cut down the amount of meat in my diet. Once I'd tackled the quantity, I then focussed on improving the quality of the meat--organic, outdoor-reared, etc. I pay more per pound, but it's worth it on the taste alone. Not to mention the health benefits of eating less meat. Or the warm, fuzzy feeling of moral superiority. And because it's a 50% increase in price, but a 67% decrease in quantity, I'm still saving money. It's a real tri- or quadri-fecta.

The takeaway from this is twofold. First, that paying higher prices for better meat can benefit, rather than punish, the individual. Second, that sustainably meaty eating is thus a viable option for most people, right now. No need to badger the govt--create your own demand.

]]> the right amount of the right stuff = good eatin'

I heartily agree with Howard's sentiment here:

"Mother Earth never attempts to farm without livestock; she always raises mixed crops..."

I would point out that Mother Nature raises a lot of vegetables for every animal. I figure our own diet ought to reflect that ratio. Less meat, better raised, seems like it's definitely the way to go.

In the past two years I've significantly cut down the amount of meat in my diet. Once I'd tackled the quantity, I then focussed on improving the quality of the meat--organic, outdoor-reared, etc. I pay more per pound, but it's worth it on the taste alone. Not to mention the health benefits of eating less meat. Or the warm, fuzzy feeling of moral superiority. And because it's a 50% increase in price, but a 67% decrease in quantity, I'm still saving money. It's a real tri- or quadri-fecta.

The takeaway from this is twofold. First, that paying higher prices for better meat can benefit, rather than punish, the individual. Second, that sustainably meaty eating is thus a viable option for most people, right now. No need to badger the govt--create your own demand.

]]> Comment #6 by Storm Dragon http://www.grist.org/article/more-than-one-way-to-raise-a-hog/ Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:54:45 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/more-than-one-way-to-raise-a-hog/6 Human-pig relationships

Undoubtedly, a sow's demeanor has a lot to do with her living environment, but her relationship with her caretakers may be an important factor, as well.  A neighbor of mine, with experience in these matters, tells me that if you want to raise pigs, it's a good plan to make a pet of your brood sow-something that just doesn't happen in  large-scale operations with thousands of animals.  

Let the jaguars return!

]]> Human-pig relationships

Undoubtedly, a sow's demeanor has a lot to do with her living environment, but her relationship with her caretakers may be an important factor, as well.  A neighbor of mine, with experience in these matters, tells me that if you want to raise pigs, it's a good plan to make a pet of your brood sow-something that just doesn't happen in  large-scale operations with thousands of animals.  

Let the jaguars return!

]]>