By Brian Randall
Grass-fed animals primarily live on pasture, grazing on a diverse mix of legumes and grasses. Cows that graze on healthy pastures produce healthier milk, with more vitamins and higher levels of CLA’s. Chickens that can scratch, peck and forage naturally produce tastier, more nutritious eggs, with higher levels of Vitamin E, Omega 3 fatty acids and beta carotene. The grasses, legumes, forbs, herbs and bugs get passed along the food chain in the form of healthier food.
Raising animals on pasture also plays a significant role in regenerating soil health. By rotating the herds and flocks in a meaningful way our team is promoting healthy plant growth, stimulating root development and building organic matter.
But raising animals on pasture comes with its challenges. While these animals are on the pasture they are sharing an environment with a variety of other wild animals, which can result in losses from predators and scavengers. These wild animals can both indirectly and directly affect the domesticated herds and flocks by causing stress and even death. Below is a short list of the concerns of the Land and Livestock team as they find a balance within our farm ecosystem.
While the presence of coyotes can be seen as a nuisance in suburban areas, they generally have a positive impact on the environment.
Small Carnivores
- Coyotes – a well-established predator and scavenger in Wisconsin, coyotes are most active at night.
- Foxes – Both grey and red fox are native to Wisconsin. While grey fox prefer a wooded, brushy habitat, red fox are found in various habitats like farmlands, grasslands, forests and even urban environments.
- Weasels – Wisconsin’s weasels are part of the larger mustelid family which includes badgers, fishers and martens.
Omnivores
- Racoons – Primarily nocturnal, raccoons can be seen during the day while searching for food. These adaptable furbearers are active year-round.
- Skunks – Striped and spotted skunks are both native to Wisconsin. Also nocturnal, these omnivores can be found in woodlands, farmlands and urban areas.
- Opossums – The Virginia Opossum is the only marsupial found in Wisconsin. Opossums are scavengers and omnivores and are famous for living in a wide variety of habitats.
Birds of prey
- Hawks – Wisconsin is home to a variety of hawks, including the Red-tail and Cooper’s hawks which are observed frequently on the farm hunting from perches.
- Eagles – Known to grace this farm with their presence from time to time, these birds of prey cover some serious territory.
- Owls – Owls are considered to be an indicator species, meaning their presence indicates the health of their ecosystem. Owls are predators that have magnificent eyesight.
Caught in the act: A Great Horned Owl caused a stir inside the chicken coop one evening.
Understanding the predators in the environment is the first step to coexisting with them. Reducing losses through proper husbandry is the goal but learning the predators behaviors, habits and hunting patterns allows farmers to work toward balanced solutions. The threat of predators and scavengers will always be present to a farm raising animals on pasture, but we believe that the challenges are worth the effort to produce the best quality milk, beef, lamb and eggs that we can.