Do you think the old breeds and ways have to remain relevant by fitting into the world we currently live, if so in your opinion when will the old low input ways become important to farmers currently producing commodity milk?
It’s such a tricky issue, and your questions get at the core of the dilemma. The old breeds and ways perhaps seem irrelevant because of an economic monomania that we are all familiar with. I don’t think they will ever fit that system, they would compromise their true value in trying to adjust to the logic of insanity. How can farmers in the UK, or the US work with the older breeds and low input systems and still be economically viable? I don’t know, but it likely won’t be through only selling products on local or larger markets, in the sense we normal conceive of these things. There are places where people have found ways to make this work, with the right levels of diversification and direct sales to clients willing to pay high prices for real food. But the models that involving selling experiences, education, agrotourism, and finding Alternative sources of funding have growing potential.
The apocalyptic side of me says this. As the cost of diesel, fertilizer, and imported feed goes up, the old ways become more relevent. As global economic collapse continues, low input small scale farming makes more sense. As agricultural systems based on stable climates face the loss of predictability, the pastoral methods of taking animals to the food make more sense.
I am curious what other people think, and what are models that we can be optimistic about?
I’ve seen quite a few, and really want concentrate on them.
The work you are doing is part of what makes me optimistic, Roger. People of all ages being passionately and directly involved in dairying and diversified farming, with enthusiasm and new paradigms, is a necessary part of the way forward. We need more people like you, willing to dig holes, mend fences, shovel shit, and cut hay.
Do you think the old breeds and ways have to remain relevant by fitting into the world we currently live, if so in your opinion when will the old low input ways become important to farmers currently producing commodity milk?
It’s such a tricky issue, and your questions get at the core of the dilemma. The old breeds and ways perhaps seem irrelevant because of an economic monomania that we are all familiar with. I don’t think they will ever fit that system, they would compromise their true value in trying to adjust to the logic of insanity. How can farmers in the UK, or the US work with the older breeds and low input systems and still be economically viable? I don’t know, but it likely won’t be through only selling products on local or larger markets, in the sense we normal conceive of these things. There are places where people have found ways to make this work, with the right levels of diversification and direct sales to clients willing to pay high prices for real food. But the models that involving selling experiences, education, agrotourism, and finding Alternative sources of funding have growing potential.
The apocalyptic side of me says this. As the cost of diesel, fertilizer, and imported feed goes up, the old ways become more relevent. As global economic collapse continues, low input small scale farming makes more sense. As agricultural systems based on stable climates face the loss of predictability, the pastoral methods of taking animals to the food make more sense.
I am curious what other people think, and what are models that we can be optimistic about?
I’ve seen quite a few, and really want concentrate on them.
The work you are doing is part of what makes me optimistic, Roger. People of all ages being passionately and directly involved in dairying and diversified farming, with enthusiasm and new paradigms, is a necessary part of the way forward. We need more people like you, willing to dig holes, mend fences, shovel shit, and cut hay.
A great and informative read!