I have a few cattle and they’re called “Cracker” cows, or “Piney Woods” cows. Mine came from the Hickman family’s herd which used to roam wild in the De Soto National Forest. They are directly descended from the cows that the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto originally brought over from Spain in 1539 when he arrived near Tampa Florida and began his explorations with about 570 other folks.
Cracker cows were originally brought over to feed these early settlers and were allowed to roam unrestricted in Florida and centuries later many still lived in the forests wild and free roaming. Cowboys would round them up using long whips that they cracked to drive them to the rail yards in Fort Meyers, hence the name “Cracker” cows. They were endangered for a while, but a few farmers managed to save a few of them and they are slowly making a comeback. (We had two new calves this year, a bull and a heifer.)
Yesterday I met with a young gal who has done some extensive work with cattle and she introduced me to “mob grazing”. Basically it consists of dividing pastures into small grids and allowing a large amount of cattle to graze within one small grid at a time. Of course so many cows confined to such small areas fertilize it thoroughly and stomp down the grass that they don’t eat while there. Every few hours they are released into a new grid to begin the process anew.
This accomplishes several things. The cattle are healthier because they are continually grazing in a new area. They also are more content, because cattle are herd animals and seem to like each other’s company. Perhaps best of all the land itself benefits the most. It is never overgrazed using this methodology and is thoroughly fertilized by the manure. Additionally the pressure from the cattle walking in the confined area stimulates microbes and other critters that live down below the surface into action which put all kinds of beneficial nutrients into the ground and in essence adds rich topsoil to the pasture at phenomenal rates.
You see underneath the surface there is an equal amount of roots as what we see growing on the top. Long grass has deep roots; short grass has shallow roots. Deep roots are better.
Hmmm . . . This reminds me of our faith in God. If grass has shallow roots, it cannot sustain much grazing especially during times of stress like hot sun and drought. The same is true with our faith; shallow faith will not sustain us when stress, trials, and tribulations descend upon our lives. Deep abiding faith however can and will get us through the worst this fallen world can conjure up.
The Bible teaches that faith is increased through hearing the word of God. Maybe we should try mob grazing our way through the Bible. Perhaps we could herd up in places of worship like Honey Lake Church and attend small groups and Bible study classes, and gorge ourselves on the lush beautiful word of God one book at a time.
Did you know that coyotes will kill newborn calves?
I’ve learned that if donkeys are put in the same pastures as cows, they will protect them from coyotes. (Yes a donkey will chase down and even kill a coyote that comes into a pasture.)
Hmmm . . . In every church there are wolves in sheep’s clothing, (or maybe in this case coyotes dressed in cow’s clothing). They lurk around trying to destroy others by sowing discontent, spreading hypocrisy, and all sorts of mischief.
Would you think that what might be needed are a few donkeys to protect the rest of the herd? Might even need to act like an ass to run them out of there before they kill or harm the faith of a member of the herd . . . Just saying . . .
Personally I think it would be an excellent combo . . .
Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
December 19, 2013 – Click here to listen