Toad
Member
Like to give a little overview of how things get done here, and where here is. Some things would be better in their own threads. Also bear in mind that I'm just describing ranching here; I worked on some very professional beef outfits in North America and in England, there's improvements to be made here, but we face some unique challenges too.
OK...Israel is on the Eastern shore of the Mediterranean, a land bridge between Asia, Africa and Europe. The Golan Heights is a volcanic plateau in the north east, formed when Africa and Asia smashed into each other. So the soils are a little young and the range rocky. For more on the area; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golan_Heights .
WE have year round grass, depending on summer fires, so we don't put up any forage; and year round riding (except during heavy mist!!). Cows are supplemented with chicken litter in summer/ early fall, sometimes "silaged" with fruit peels or substandard fruit.
Most places have a summer calving "Alef" around June, and a winter calving "Bet" end of February. Cows not pregnant for one season get moved for another chance. I don't like it either. Means bulls in and out of herds and a lot of extra moving animals around. Furthermore, beef is produced under Kosher laws, so calves are not castrated.......there's many out of season births!
Typically Israeli cowboys (Bokerim) ride everyday to check on livestock, predation, theft prevention, pasture and fence m'ment. We have a lot of tick bourne diseases, mostly malarial in nature, plus Babesiosis. We spray lots.
Most try to keep mixed commercial cows with some brahma or balady blood lines bred to European or British bulls. "Simbrah" seems pretty popular. Horns a left on to keep me fit and as a vague attempt to get the cow to defend her calf from thieves and wolves. No one is prepared to tell me that only the polled girls get their babies robbed!
Thankyou for reading folks.
I'd like to start separate threads on predator control and thievery....and I know bugger all about Kosher laws being neither Jewish nor religious, I'll answer any other questions you might have though!!!
OK...Israel is on the Eastern shore of the Mediterranean, a land bridge between Asia, Africa and Europe. The Golan Heights is a volcanic plateau in the north east, formed when Africa and Asia smashed into each other. So the soils are a little young and the range rocky. For more on the area; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golan_Heights .
WE have year round grass, depending on summer fires, so we don't put up any forage; and year round riding (except during heavy mist!!). Cows are supplemented with chicken litter in summer/ early fall, sometimes "silaged" with fruit peels or substandard fruit.
Most places have a summer calving "Alef" around June, and a winter calving "Bet" end of February. Cows not pregnant for one season get moved for another chance. I don't like it either. Means bulls in and out of herds and a lot of extra moving animals around. Furthermore, beef is produced under Kosher laws, so calves are not castrated.......there's many out of season births!
Typically Israeli cowboys (Bokerim) ride everyday to check on livestock, predation, theft prevention, pasture and fence m'ment. We have a lot of tick bourne diseases, mostly malarial in nature, plus Babesiosis. We spray lots.
Most try to keep mixed commercial cows with some brahma or balady blood lines bred to European or British bulls. "Simbrah" seems pretty popular. Horns a left on to keep me fit and as a vague attempt to get the cow to defend her calf from thieves and wolves. No one is prepared to tell me that only the polled girls get their babies robbed!
Thankyou for reading folks.
I'd like to start separate threads on predator control and thievery....and I know bugger all about Kosher laws being neither Jewish nor religious, I'll answer any other questions you might have though!!!
:lol: