Farming and the Environment

[Sue]

We were visiting the central office for the Grazalema natural park recently and were pleased to see a poster encouraging farmers to take better care of the natural fauna…

Buenas Practicas Agricolas Para La Conservación de la Fauna

The images are clear about not burning stubble, widening wild strips between fields, not using chemicals and harvesting after birds have finished nesting etc.

I am all for encouraging these practises but find it interesting that it was in the conservation office. We have yet to visit the local Agriculture co-operatives to see if they are displaying the same poster.


Has anyone seen similar posters in their area or beneficial changes in farming practises??

Sue

[SueMac]

Hi Sue
We dont have any rain here and wind is quite warm so guess theladderbacks were out for a bit of fresh air. Out of interest I copied your poster headline and put it in Google and quite a bit comes up.  I know there have been initiatives here in Murcia.
SueMac

[nick]

Thanks for these interesting photos Sue

[lisa]

Here's one.
Yesterday in a very wet Potes there was a show of sheep and goats organised by theFundación para la Conservación del Quebrantahuesos (Fund for the Conservation of the Lammergeier). An excellent initiative, I thought, and great public relations. While the shepherds had the opportunity to show off their stock (something they can't resist like farmers the world over, I suppose), there was also plenty of amicable chat between the conservationists and the locals, the former hopefully seen less as those damned ecologists by the latter and more as partners in preserving traditions. The event was backed by the regional Cantabrian government and the Picos de Europa National Park.
Liv and I watched the sheep-shearing competition and drooled over the mastines before being overcome by the damp cold. It's a testament to the popularity of the event that so many people turned up for it. A prize was awarded to the most environmentally-friendly shepherd and to the best mastín before everyone (else) tucked into a lamb stew.
The FCQ are now hoping to re-introduce three Lammergeier into the Picos next spring. SEO Asturias have their misgivings over the release, however, due to the still prevalent practice of poisoned bait being put down for other species. The more interaction and dialogue between everyone the better I think, if this practice is to be stamped out.



Let's see if I can upload some photos.....

[lisa]

Some of the livestock...

[lisa]

A poster and my own "Spot the dog" competition.....

[lisa]

Collars  .....

[lisa]

Those collars are also very good as towel rails  (The wooden ones not the nail-studded ones  )

[lisa]

The ladies  ......

[lisa]

My friend Lidia and myself are thinking of looking for some sheep shearing tuition. The prize money was €600 

[Dave]

Hi Lisa
Great photos and interesting thread, I will keep a look out for posters in and around Leon.
Regards
Dave

[nick]

Great stuff Lisa,

Do you know the names of the different breeds?

nick

PS Those lammergyer decoys always make me laugh

[Technopat]

Greetings All,
Forgive a humble city-dweller's lack of knowledge in such matters, but would the rationale behind the spiked collar be to prevent wolves (or other wild dogs) who might otherwise get a good grip on the jugular? 'Cos it wouldn't be much good as a flea collar ...

Regs,
Technopat

[nick]

Yes, that's a carlanca

I'll dig out a photo I have of one from Zamora.

More here
http://www.iberianature.com/spainblog/2007/02/21/wolves-in-18th-century-spain/

[tonyninfas]

I don't think that the collar would be much good to the poor dog either if it got a flea and needed to scratch.

[Technopat]

Thanx for that, Nick. I imagine the tiger/lynx hybrid would have referred to its relative size versus a domestic moggy (or could it be that 18th century folks weren't so accustomed to seeing cats?).
Regs.,
Technopat

[lisa]

Do you know the names of the different breeds?

I knew an awkward b.....r intelligent, enquiring mind would ask that 
I think the sheep might be Lacha and the goats, cabras de los Picos de Europa (although I'm not sure that they may not officially be cabras Españolas.) Here's an official list of Spanish livestock breeds and an article on Spanish goats from El País.

[lucy]

Thanks for the great photos Lisa.  Drooling is an appropriate word when talking about mastines!  Especially like the grey one - those paws, the wrinkled forehead.  Here are two more pics for mastin fans.   

[nick]

Love that first sentence from El Pais article:

Las cabras representan el carácter y diversidad de España.

[nick]

So according to your link Lisa we have the following Spanish goats:

De fomento: (?)

Majorera, Malagueña, Murciana-Granadina, Palmera yTinerfeña.

De protección especial:

Agrupación de las Mesetas, Azpi Gorri, Blanca Andaluza o Serrana, Blanca Celtibérica, Bermeya, Del Guadarrama, Florida, Gallega, Ibicenca, Jurdana, Mallorquina, Moncayo, Negra Serrana, Papoya, Pirenaica, Retinta y Verata.

More here http://www.agroinformacion.com/leer-articulo.aspx?not=437