Utilizing Animal Power

As I do my best to live a life that my grandparents would appreciate and recognize, I am not one of those people who believes our ancestors did not fight against nature. They absolutely did.

These were the generations that eventually led to hunting bag limits because wildlife populations were being depleted. These were the generations that gave us DDT. These were the generations whose farming practices largely contributed to the Dust Bowl. Much of this was done in an effort to make a living and secure a future. I do not fault them for that, but I do recognize the shortcomings of that mindset.

So while I admire the simplicity of that time, I also believe in maintaining a healthy respect for nature and protecting it.

Once upon a time, when people wanted to create cropland or pasture, they would rip out trees, deep-plow the ground, and sometimes even divert waterways. This is what they knew. They worked with the tools and methods available to them, whether that was the best equipment they could access or simply animal power.

One method available to both our ancestors and ourselves today that is kinder to the ground, is clearing land with livestock. Pigs, chickens, and goats can all serve that purpose. Each clears land in its own way, and each deserves appreciation for its abilities.

I have cleared acres of brush here with the help of goats. When watching a goat stand on its hind legs to clear brush, it is easy to see how Greek myths such as the faun, Pan, and even the centaur may have originated. Watching a goat eat multiflora rose is both fascinating and educational.

They love multiflora rose. They carefully pull their lips back to avoid the thorns while completely defoliating the bush. They reach high into trees and use their agility to grasp branches or pull down grapevines. In a short period of time, they will browse as high as they can reach, clearing the way for a person to follow behind with a chainsaw and remove the remaining brush. That is exactly what I did.

Today, some municipalities even use goats for land management in areas where they would otherwise rely on manpower or heavy equipment. This is especially valuable in high-fire-risk zones or in places where machinery could cause irreparable damage.

If a person has a piece of ground that needs to be cleared and it is not covered in heavy brush, then turn in the pigs. In a remarkably short time, pigs will root up grasses, weeds, and small brush, destroying root systems and preparing the ground for planting.

I once penned one of my sows in an area where I wanted to plant sorghum. In just three days, she turned the soil better than any plow could have. All I had to do afterward was smooth the ground, mark my rows, and plant my seed.

The pictures I have included are from a customer. She turned in four young American guinea hogs into the area pictured. Within 10 days as you can see, they knocked it out! This is accomplished by utilizing electric netting, like Premier 1 fencing, which is easy to set up and move as you rotate your animals through areas in which you need them to work. (Thank you Angela for sharing your photos!)

Anyone who has owned chickens also knows their incredible ability to scratch up the ground and destroy grassy areas or landscaping. Those feet are miniature powerhouses. Chickens have a valuable place following behind pigs or working between garden rows, where they keep the soil loose and leave a trail of fertilizer in their wake.

They also help control unwanted grasses, weeds, ticks, and insects that can harm both our gardens and ourselves. Keeping chickens in a tractor that is moved daily allows a person to control precisely where they work and concentrate their efforts where they are most needed.

While there is no doubt that heavy equipment can clear land more quickly, natural methods should not be forgotten or overlooked. The investment required for a small herd of goats or pigs, or even a flock of chickens, is often far less than the cost of a tractor, tiller, or dozer.

Unlike machinery, these animals can also help feed your family while they work. A goat can provide milk and meat. A pig can supply many meals. Chickens produce eggs and eventually meat as well. You will not get that out of a bulldozer.

We can learn from our grandparents through both their successes and their mistakes. The simple life is often the better path. There are many ways to clear ground, feed our families, and remain in harmony with nature, and perhaps some of the best methods have been with us all along. 

So until next time, stay kind, stay aware, and stay free