importance of bovines in peak oil

Great points Bivol.

It is so amazing to me that many of the folks on this site can imagine the effects of peak oil, and can embrace life with limited petroleum, or even without completely, while so so many others participants in the modern culture are just waiting for the next great fix. Thanks for all you excellent posts about working cattle.

Take care, Carl

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=148929

the way “back” to animal power can be seen in lots of different places; the quickest changes come in the agricultural areas that have only recently turned to modern equipment; they are the first to return to the old ways, being easy for them still knowing the routines …….

true, horses and mules are more powerful and faster,

I doubt the “powerful”:rolleyes:, but what cattle has going for them: much easier to feed, much cheaper to keep, triple purpose and use, easier to train, so much smarter 🙂 ………

hardly anybody considers: oil is not only eminent in transports; just look around you: how much oil in plastics, paints, garments……

I too am very “peak oil aware.” I think transitioning right now back to draft animals would be very smart in some sectors – not a “solution” but part of one, for sure. But I personally think the majority of North Americans will curl up and die before anyone besides us converted seriously entertains the idea of returning to draft animal power. We are far too arrogant right now to “turn back” to such “primitive” ways.

I have tried a little to spread the idea of animal power to the mainstream and been surprised at how alien the idea is now on this continent. Most surprisingly to me, I have contacted a number of ecovillages – a context I think would be perfect for draft animal power – inquiring as to whether or not they have considered powering their economies in part with draft animals. I’ve gone to some lengths to stimulate discussion on this. To date, I have not gotten one single response from any of these people/places. Not a good sign. I actually think there is a great deal of fear of large animals born of alienation amongst people today, a fear to get involved with anything other than some mechanical technology.

That said, i think there will be those few out there who lead the way and wholeheartedly embrace the draft animal as an option. My partner and I are moving to a BC homestead where we intend to rely on animals for much of our survival, including draft animals. We would welcome some live-in help getting the place going, joining us in this enterprise, but we are not optimistic that there will be much response. Everyone’s too steeped in the myth of independence yet.

I think if things get really tough it will be oxen over horses. I would miss my clydesdales, though, and tend to do what i can to hang on to them! Oh yeah, and I have a #9 mower, but wonder many days if it will be back to the scythe.

Yesterday I listened to a post-peak oil radio talk show interview of a woman who has written a book about her work to live with her family in a way that reduces their consumption. It is titled Depletion and Abundance. Many of her points are excellent, and her methods applaudable, but everything she’s doing is in the context of the modern lifestyle….no mention about animal power.

I too have found glazing of the eyes to be the most common response when I suggest animal power. It is indicative of the entrenched paradigm. There are so many assumptions that direct our modern experience that generations have grown up under.

For me, it comes down to the difference between “Reality”, and “Perception”. Petroleum has given us such an amazing source of energy that we have been able to separate ourselves from the realities of life on
Earth, and created a perceived level of success and security. It’s like magic!! And it works so well that it is hard not to become attracted to.

It will be a drastic, and brutal awakening for so many people that I doubt that there will be enough awareness to actually undertake any level of education or change, and most will struggle to hold onto the only thing that they know. It will only add to their fear when it’s proven to be a smoke-screen, or veil, mirage, with no substance.

With over twenty years of experience using animals to make my livelihood, I feel well prepared for many of these challenges, personally, but as J-L says, my biggest worry is what to do about the frightened masses.

It used to be “Where am I going, and why am I in this hand-basket?”. Now it’s, “and why am I in here with all of them?”

Carl