Suffolk Serf
Member
- Location
- Bury/Thetford
As an outdoor producer, I thought that the intensive pigs looked excellent.
Countryfile tonight
- Thread starter Kevtherev
- Start date
As an outdoor producer, I thought that the intensive pigs looked excellent.
Greenbeast
Member
- Location
- East Sussex
betweenthelines
Member
- Location
- southwest
I find it odd that they can have a serious debate about whether pigs are happier reared on straw or slats (both lots looked fine to me) and then happily show undomesticated, semi wild, dangerous animals that have been kept housed for six months and then put into a field with similarly semi wild deer.
I would have thought that the stress levels of the bison and deer are through the roof compared to pigs in any farmed environment.
Also the wildness of the bison compared very badly with the water buffalo featured on This Farming Life
Or is farming wild animals only OK when Lord Whareverhisnameis, has a fancy to do so, whereas an experienced pig farmer should be pilloried?
I would have thought that the stress levels of the bison and deer are through the roof compared to pigs in any farmed environment.
Also the wildness of the bison compared very badly with the water buffalo featured on This Farming Life
Or is farming wild animals only OK when Lord Whareverhisnameis, has a fancy to do so, whereas an experienced pig farmer should be pilloried?
Steevo
Member
- Location
- Gloucestershire
- Location
- Penzance
Tbh buffalo and bison are two different species and cannot be compared. It doesn't surprise me that the BBC compare or even sensationalise them. In America they call bison buffalo, so a lot of people naturally assume you mean that when you talk about water buffalo. I haven't read the article per say, I tend to stay away from stuff like that, as it just makes me really wound up. In the end no matter the hard work you put into farming them and publicising how good and beautiful they are to have, how affectionate they are towards your children. Gentle giants if kept well handled. People will always assume theyre monsters when theyre the best animals you can possibly have. l was looking at a ewe and lambs earlier, in a pen in the buffalo building, and one of the cows just came and rested her head on my arm and closed her eyes, they're exceptionally lovely and beautiful/very intelligent creatures. It's sad they are portrayed as monsters tbh
Steevo
Member
- Location
- Gloucestershire
Tbh buffalo and bison are two different species and cannot be compared. It doesn't surprise me that the BBC compare or even sensationalise them. In America they call bison buffalo, so a lot of people naturally assume you mean that when you talk about water buffalo. I haven't read the article per say, I tend to stay away from stuff like that, as it just makes me really wound up. In the end no matter the hard work you put into farming them and publicising how good and beautiful they are to have, how affectionate they are towards your children. Gentle giants if kept well handled. People will always assume theyre monsters when theyre the best animals you can possibly have. l was looking at a ewe and lambs earlier, in a pen in the buffalo building, and one of the cows just came and rested her head on my arm and closed her eyes, they're exceptionally lovely and beautiful/very intelligent creatures. It's sad they are portrayed as monsters tbh
That's why I wanted your thoughts! More the "large niche animal" rather than comparing one against the other. Easy to sensationalise something the majority of viewers won't have met and so will believe the story they are fed, especially if it corresponds with their expectations i.e. big = dangerous and scary.
RWG Contracts
Member
- Location
- Samlesbury, Lancashire
Why would anyone want to farm bison? Who wakes up and thinks “I really want to keep an animal that wants to kill me” bloody crackers
Pilgrimmick
Member
- Location
- Argyll
Loved the comment about the firearms police checking on them, well known livestock experts the police!
Steevo
Member
- Location
- Gloucestershire
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
You met my cows didn't you Rob???
- Location
- Penzance
Exactly! I remember soon after "This country life" went out, I had people not want to buy any animals off me because they "naturally" assumed what was said was true. But I guess if people come to something with preconceived ideas then you shouldn't be trusting them with your livestock anywho. Same principle if someone "can't afford to pay the price" you should take it they can't afford to keep them either. As with any animal you always have to be wary and you can't trust any animal whatsoever even if they're soft tbh. Mothers with calves can sometimes be a bit protective, but if they trust you, you still have to be wary, they will let you near the calf. With me and the cows there is a mutual understanding, they know I'm the boss and they know that they have to do as they're told. We name all of ours and most of them come to their names, extremely easy to handle and anything with a question mark over temperament has to go. I can get ruby to round them up, but wouldn't normally advise taking in dogs to check them, as they do chase dogs away. I don't take in any sticks with me, as there's no need
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
You've not spent enough time on the cattle breeds threads on here
RWG Contracts
Member
- Location
- Samlesbury, Lancashire
You met my cows didn't you Rob???
You've not spent enough time on the cattle breeds threads on here
When they have new calves I can understand it, but not having to open the gate and hide behind it when letting them out to graze
- Location
- Penzance
Rhug estate keep bison, for beef really. Meat is very healthy, but they've had really bad problems with them tbh. There were some up in Scotland but they couldn't survive the harsh conditions up there...
- Location
- Penzance
I guess the lesson here is to never let BBC step one foot on your farm, unless you want bad rep!
Steevo
Member
- Location
- Gloucestershire
Exactly! I remember soon after "This country life" went out, I had people not want to buy any animals off me because they "naturally" assumed what was said was true. But I guess if people come to something with preconceived ideas then you shouldn't be trusting them with your livestock anywho. Same principle if someone "can't afford to pay the price" you should take it they can't afford to keep them either. As with any animal you always have to be wary and you can't trust any animal whatsoever even if they're soft tbh. Mothers with calves can sometimes be a bit protective, but if they trust you, you still have to be wary, they will let you near the calf. With me and the cows there is a mutual understanding, they know I'm the boss and they know that they have to do as they're told. We name all of ours and most of them come to their names, extremely easy to handle and anything with a question mark over temperament has to go. I can get ruby to round them up, but wouldn't normally advise taking in dogs to check them, as they do chase dogs away. I don't take in any sticks with me, as there's no need
Well said. It's all about perception!
How many households have a dog now. Almost none of them would describe their dog as dangerous as 99.9% of the time they are just fine. Pull their tail or something, or frighten them and it all goes wrong. Kids can be hurt or injured.
Many might think @RWG Contracts wolf is as bad as a bison at first glance.....perception and all that.
As you well put it - anything can be calm, or dangerous.
- Location
- South Wales UK
Saturday night crowd same most prob.?
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
Almost as dangerous as taking 25' sky dives off a roof without a parachute!!
Steevo
Member
- Location
- Gloucestershire
I guess the lesson here is to never let BBC step one foot on your farm, unless you want bad rep!
Same goes for most media tbh, not just BBC. They tell the story they want the viewer to hear, not necessarily the truth.