Seeking ox drover and team for custom work

[goodcompanion]

So I have these rice paddies. Nothing goes in them as easily as a cow. I am hoping to hire out tillage of up to 6 acres annually. Tillage would consist of dragging a harrow or drag of some sort through soil under several inches of standing water.

The oxen (or single ox) could be boarded at the farm for the duration of the work, temporary housing for the drover is also a possibility. This work can be done in late fall or early spring, just not below freezing.

Also bear in mind that you have to walk in this water–I am thinking tight-fitting wetsuit boots might work well. Regular farm boots pull right off in the mud, or at best exhaust your feet fighting suction.

Right at this moment I have about 3/4 acre in need of tillage. I am hoping to build a long-term business relationship for someone in the area with working cattle and not enough work.

[dlskidmore]

Did you ever give duck or pig puddling a try?

[goodcompanion]

The quantity of ducks or pigs I would need to do this job in a timely fashion rules it out. Six acres is too large of an area. The costs of doing the job this way would probably far exceed hiring it out. Another option is to rig my tractor for wet tillage with custom wheels but I don’t prefer this.

[bendube]

Hi Eric,
I’m interested in this if the offer is still out.

If this became a long-term thing, the spring is probably better, but we could try out a couple acres this fall.

The team is not mine, rather it belongs to my place of work, so things would also need to be cleared through my boss, though he is very interested in this project.

If you’re still looking, contact me to make some arrangements.

-Ben Dube
Research Tech
Cerridwen Farm @ Green Mtn College

[Author]

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