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permaculture - Re: [permaculture] Mechanical vs Animal Traction?

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  • From: Rick Valley <bamboogrove@cmug.com>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [permaculture] Mechanical vs Animal Traction?
  • Date: Wed, 02 Apr 2003 09:31:32 -0700



> From: Dominic1404@aol.com

> We are about to move onto a 5 acre smallholding in Southern Spain. The land
> is gently sloping (almost flat) river plain. We intend to market garden veg
> and have a few livestock. This is a major life change for us and, as part
> of
>
> the 'total package' I have been thinking to use animal traction to prepare
> the land - I was thinking of acquiring a mule. Can I have some advise on
> the
>
> pros and cons. The existing farmer has a 20 year old walk behind tractor
> which he is offering to sell for 1,800 euros. Seems very expensive? What
> should I do?

You could simply cost it out- you'd need to feed, vet and purchase
implements & harness for the mule as well as buy it. What are the details on
the tractor? Buying a mule is ismilarly complicated.

you could add up how attractive either option is and estimate your relative
aptitude for either. (There's a learning curve for each, and you'll need
considerable help at first- is help available?) (ie, what are your future
neighbors using?)

The mule could certainly use any surplus land on that 5 acres, if you are
not prepared to do it all at once. Have you managed a small acreage before?

-Rick, on the other side of the hill from a horse logger.



















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