The Associated Press reports that some US Farmers are starting to use mules in lieu of mechanized farm equipment, due to the high cost of fuel! That’s right, farmer T.R. Raymond in Tennessee has switched over to mule power to handle some of his farming chores. Raymond’s son, Danny says of the use of mules for farming that “It’s the way of the future.”
Here in the Philippines, they have been using the Carabao for farming all along, so I guess that it could be said that the Philippines is actually paving the way to the future!
It seems that everywhere you go around the Philippines, you see Carabao being used to plow fields and do other farming tasks. In addition to farm chores, the farmers here ride their Carabao to go into town or wherever they need to go. So, the Carabao is actually multi-tasking and taking the place of a tractor and a car or truck too!
Certainly, this is economical, in todays world of high petroleum prices. However, what about the efficiency? Do you think that farmers could actually go back to mostly using animals to do the chores, or would they suffer too much in the efficiency side of the equation?
What do you think? Can the Philippines lead the world in finding the right balance between animal and mechanical farming?
I don’t think we could go back to using animals for large commercial farming but I do believe we can farm without the use of oil or reduce it a lot. Not sure if this is sort of a joke post today?
Hi Bob – I don't know about the efficiency of the Carabao, but I did find them pretty interesting. The locals were absolutely dazzled that I would waste a photo on them. They laughed every time I took out the camera. But when I got up on one of them they came unglued. I'm pretty certain that I'm the first foreigner that ever road the Carabao in that province 😎
Actually I think I "rode" the Carabao not "road" it, but you get the idea!
Morning Bob,
Nah, in the West only for menial tasks where in the old days someone probably used manpower rather than an animal even! Rather than using the fancy Quadbike to do chores maybe an animal could be used but that costs time (time is money) and animals aren't "free" – they need space and feed for which a modern farm is not set up to handle. Plus, as you well know, The US and Australia have massive broadacre farms of thousands of acres where the best way to improve efficiencies (and save fuel) is to buy even bigger machines. Town is often hundreds of kilometres away – a slow trip on the back of cranky beast! Ideal for the Philippines, however, where the farming is basically 100% the reverse of the West. These beasts still need precious space and feed but at least the people devour them too – a valuable source of protein in a poor nation. Have you taken time to consider the greenhouse implications of so many ruminants! All those flatulant and belching critters! A less optimistic person would consider the end is nigh whichever way we turn!
Hi ben ream – Well, I wouldn't say that today's column is a joke, but just sort of a light hearted look at farming and fuel prices today. When I saw the AP article yesterday about the US farmers using mules, it made me think about the carabao and it's use in Philippine farming.
Hi Randy C – Ha ha… don't worry, we don't let the spelling police make any rounds here, so you don't have to be concerned about that! 😆 Like you, I am fascinated by Carabao, and I take a lot of Carabao pictures! I find it to be an interesting animal, and one that works hard for the Filipino people, keeping food on the tables and such. Riding a carabao is something that I have also wanted to do for some time, but so far the occasion as not arisen! 😀
Hi AussieLee – Yeah, I don't think that the mega-farmers will ever be switching back to animal power! When I wrote this article, I was in a sort of facetious mood, kind of playing the devil's advocate, and just leaving the topic open for discussion! 😆
Bob
I do not think the farmers in the US will go back to mules or use the Carabao to any extent. Unless the Carabao comes with A/C! 😉
Hi Larry – Ha ha… it's got natural AC… you just have to get used to the odor from where the air blows out! 😆
hello bob. i think the farmers of my country are so used to push button farming that it would be a shock for them to do some manuel farming,our forfathers did just fine with farm animals before.our modern ways of thinking are our undoing,im a lobsterman from maine and the fuel prices are so ridiculous that we have to spend more time at sea and not return everyday as before,i think you have a great point with this discussion.bring back the good old days. thanks bob 😉
I do not know if this will become a trend in the USA ..but everything I read….the price of gas..and other related products will continue to rise and rise with no end in sight…..wonder what it be like in 2 more years..$10.00 gallon gas…….maybe the great civil war in the USA is just around the corner…I can remember when a kid hearing some of the old timers making state ments that if people thought the 1st Civil war…North Vs South was awfull…….wait untill the last big battle in The USA!! My self… hope it never happens..but seems like here in USA things each year are getting more and more out of control and often wonder when people will say enough is enough……….maybe when they have nothing to eat………no money……no work..etc…..maybe the Philipines will be the last best place! So maybe the simple way of life might be the best after all………always enjoy reading your page Bob.
Hi Ron Wadsworth – So, you are a lobster fisherman! That indeed is interesting to me. I enjoy watching the show "Lobster Wars" on Discovery, and also the "Deadliest Catch" about the crab fishermen in Alaska. Very interesting!
Yeah, a lot of people are nostalgic for the old days, and the old ways, no doubt there. I think that there is a lot of efficiency in the new ways of farming, but it would sure be interesting to bring back a few of the old methods, animals and such, and see how they could be fit into the new operations!
Good luck with the fishing, Ron!
Hi Dan – Wow! Interesting thoughts there. If there were to be another Civil War in the USA, who would the sides be? North vs. South again? East vs. West? Just curious, because I haven't heard about this. I guess I am just happy living here in the Philippines!
You know, I read a news article online yesterday where some financial analyst is predicting $12-$15 per gallon gasoline in the not-too-distant future! 😯
on my farm Bob I'd use the Caribou for man fuel….slow cooked medium well..pass teh BBQ sauce plezzz…..
Hi Brian – Ha ha… I have eaten Carabao myself before. What I had was a carabao calf, and it was delicious! I hear that the old ones are quite tough, though.
Hello,
Regarding 12-15$ gallon gasoline, I don't think that will happen. This is because most Americans drive great distances to their work. At those prices, it would not make sense to go to work any more, as they will lose money by making that travel!
In Philippines, that means jeepney rides will be 30pesos one way! No way the poor people can afford to go to work.
Higher gasoline will dampen economy, not energize it, so companies can't afford to raise salaries either. Probably cut it.
So the gasoline prices should reach a peak way before $12. Or so I hope!
Hi khaye – Everything you say would happen with $12-15 gas is very true. However, that doesn't mean that it won't happen! What happens when oil is nearly gone? Of course the price will go a lot higher than what I mentioned.
What this means is that we must look for alternative fuel sources, different types of energy to power our vehicles and such.
hmmmmm ***note to self…look into starting a carabao dude ranch to fulfill what seems to be a common dream for many…that of riding a carabao…and…what with the expected increase in tourists visiting the philippines now that "open skies" is slated to become a reality (via philfaqs.com) could really be the answer to my quest for a sustainable extra income once I move to one of the 7,012 islands…***
Hi marshallmellow – Interesting name that you have there! I had not heard that open skies policy is set to happen in the Philippines, I'll have to go and read Dave's article. I seriously doubt that it will happen, though.
Is the Philippines shrinking? Last time I checked, there were 7,107 islands, now it's down to 7,012? My goodness! This sounds like serious business! 😆
Hi Bob – Carabao are starting to become a rare sight up in the Ilocos region as many farmers have pooled (co-op'ed) together to acquire & share tractor/tillers. 😯
I've got some feelers out with some friends in the provincial agricultural offices, trying to find some young carabao to purchase. I'll have some cousins raise 'em and lease them out when it's time to hit the fields. 😉
Hi Bob,You may be interested to know that a few farmers here have imported water buffalo(Carabao) from Thailand.They find they are very hardy,easy to keep,good temperant,excellent for clearing scrubland and can survive on poor land,apparantely they will eat almost anything.The milk is good for making cheese.Actually the famous Italian Mozzarella cheese used on pizza's is made from buffalo milk.For some small farmers here they have returned to using Horse power,cheaper than tractors.To labour intensive and slow for large farmers though.Up to the 2nd world war,Uk imported 60% of its food like Phils does now,mechanisation made us self sufficient,however oil was much cheaper then.I have recently read that in the USA,airline co's are reverting back to prop planes for short haul,they are far more economical than short haul jets.It is also said that suburbs are dying as more people are moving back to towns to be near shops and work.Major supermarkets are shelving plans for new out of town stores and moving back into the towns,thats also happening here,many towns are being re-generated,this apears to be the future.Regards Chas.
Hi Paul – That is quite interesting! Down here in Mindanao, the Carabao is king, when it comes to farm work! It sounds like you may have a good business idea there!
Hi chas – when you say that a few farmers are importing carabao, farmers in what country? Certainly, the Philippines is not importing any carabao from Thailand to my knowledge! Let me know more!
Hi Bob! Bout time the Philippines do something worth emulating..hehehe!
Btw, included Feyma in my list of SOCCSKSARGEN bloggers already. When are you two meeting up with me here? 🙂
Hi Bob,
this whole idea of using a beast or burden for farming is pathetic…set your mind back a hundred years. It may be ok for the philippines, but in the US, it would hurt our economy. the higher fuel costs here in the US is somewhat artifical. Bush just got back from Saudia Arabia to ask them what we wont do…To increase oil production. We have oil here in the united states, but 85% of it goes untouched by pure politics and policy. I'm talking about ANWAR, the gulf coast, the California coast, and other places. Just something to think about.
Hi Bob.just a word to say that we pay that much for gas already in the UK its called TAX 😯 😆
Yes, paul is correct. There is a serious shortage of caracao in Ilocos and Zambales, perhaps other provinces as well. yes you will see them often, but they have become quite exspensive and from abreeeder;s stand pint the gene pool is shrinking and this could pose problems.
I saw an interesting ice on nat geo the other day where agood size city in India was supplying most of its electricty needs from cattle manure-generated methane.
Could the carabao replace the tractor on mega-acre/hectare farms? Doubtful, but that is not the issue here in the Philippines. What will the future hold? Hard to say, but one of the few pluses of high energy costs isthat it causes us to look at alternatives to making the Saudi's ever richer.
Hi Bob.My wife and myself are moving to Samal in july.I have no problem riding a cow.but my question is will they let me on the barge so i can travel in Davao.
Hi Bob- Your post today has some reflection on what the airline industry is now saying……yes fares will have to increase in relation to current fuel cost. The implications of this is it will make travelling to the Philippines more expensive so less people will visit the Philippines. So much for the Philippines ability to attract holiday-makers on a large scale. And there is no way I'm travelling from Durham to Talakag on a Carabao……. 😆
Hi bariles – I was in GSC and saw Orman the other day! I need your cell number, though…. e-mail me with that!
Hi mheavrin – I can assure you that I have not set my mind back 100 years. If you read what I wrote, I specifically said that I was being facetious, and also playing devil's advocate!
Hi john.j. – Yeah, your Europeans need to work out those tax problems! 😆
Hi Dave Starr – I saw that same show a while back about the supplying of electricity. It was quite interesting!
Hi Jim – I'll be watching for you on the ferry! Please don't let the cow poop on my car, though! 😆
Hi Jim Cunningham – If a carabao could only fly! Maybe we can work on that when you get here, and we'll be rich! 😆
Hi Bob- I was thinking more of my poor sampot if I had to ride a Carabao. 😆
Hi Jim – Well, that is a whole different problem for us to work out! Or should I say it is for YOU to work out? 😆
Hi Bob,Just to clarify #20.Some farmers in the UK have imported Carabao from Thailand,they are grazed on scrubland or marsh where other farm animals do not thrive.There milk being used for cheese making.
This may help the country as I read yesterday a report from the EU that at the present rate of growth the Philippines would become 1st nation status in 157 years. As the west fuel prices sky rocket we are not ready to go back to animal power for the farm yet nations like the Philippines and India are.
Hi Chas – you learn something new every day. But thats interesting as it could soon be possible to get Kare-kare in a restuarant soon with Carabao available in the country.
To quote my grandfather a life long farmer who died just months ago at age 89 I believe. "I'd go back to a A Farmall before I would go back to horses. If gas was $10 a gallon the tractor is cheaper since I don't have to feed it all winter."
And yes an A Farmall (a small tractor not a lot bigger than many lawn tractors) could plow several times what a team of horses could and you don't even have to feed it at lunch nor rest it. Yes I know your being funny but I thought it was worth sticking in here 😉
Actually when you consider the prices of tractors gas really isn't even a big consideration compared against depreciation. Their is a trend of small farmers (the few that are left) to buy old farm tractors and restore them even if they need a complete rebuild they last many times longer than the newer models, but they don't come with AC thats for the Rockefeller farms like Tyson.
The whole oil thing is really politics. It was started by Carter when he started OPEC with the purpose of forcing them to sell oil for dollars (he did it by financing the oil wells in Saudi) causing the US dollar to be artificially high since it forced countries to have a stockpile of US dollars to trade for oil.
It had many reasons and effects mostly it saved the dollar and forced oil prices way down since the Saudi oil was under pressure it didn't even have to be pumped it could be retrieved cheaper than anywhere else. Which caused a glut of oil. On the other hand most of the USSR's money was coming from oil at the time and the low prices for oil were the REAL cause for them going belly up.
Now the Saudi's are running out of oil and every county is using more. So we are going to have to readjust prices to a point where it actually pays to drill the wells again. Contrary to popular opinion their is plenty of oil it just cost more to get it and their is a serious shortage of oil wells.
Of course Carter knew a lot of these things would happen and if we had kept up with his alternative energy research and funding we wouldn't be in this mess. Of course the dollar is another matter.
*looking at PI tshirt bought on last trip…."philippines land of 7012 islands"….sheeze…no wonder it was so cheap*…
Marshall + mellow (as in relaxed and patient) = me…haha
Some might find it benifical on a small scale but there aren't enough draft animlas for everyone to make such a transition even if they wanted to. Then you run inot the problem of growing the additional food to feed all these animals.
Yes you don't have to feed a tractor through the winter. The flip side of that is tractors don't reproduce. 🙂
Alternate fuel will be the long term solution. Other than by reducing the human population by half.
i have a picture of me on a carabaro. Be sure and wear some old pants if you do it as they are very dusty. 😆
Hi Bob, My Dad tells me that as a share cropper in North Carolina during the '1940's working behind the mule in the field was a dirty, smelly job. But he had to do it, so it was interesting for me to see the Filipinos working behind the Carabu. I was asked if I wanted to ride, but I said 'ell no, but on my July visit I will get my nerve up… make sure i have on some long pants that are already dirty and go for it.. That picture will one day be a keepsake for my Grandchildren about how crazy Grandpa was 😆
Geez Bob, you really did play the devil's advocate on this one didn't you? hehe
Let's face it people, oil prices are artificially high due to politics. There's still lot's of oil in the world although the demand is ever increasing, especially in places like China who are racing into the 21st century at breakneck speed. Alternate fuels is becoming a problem in itself, with farmers using more of their land to produce crops that will in turn produce ethanol. The result is less food being produced. If you think we have a problem doing without all the fuel were used to having, wait until there is a very real shortage of food in the world and watch all hell break loose.
Hi chas – fascinating. I had no idea that a carabao could live in that climate.
Hi John Grant – Very interesting! Only 157 years? 😆
Hi John H – Thanks for sharing your family experience!
Hi marshallmellow – Yep, that was a good one!
Hi Tom – It seems that all solutions present new problems to deal with! Remember when all the rage was biofuels – now we have a food shortage because of it!
Hi don – you should post that photo for all of us to enjoy! 😆
Hi Joseph Avery – Yep, I bet that it was a smelly chore walking behind the animals all day!
Hi Trevor – 😆