horsepoweredtractionandtillagesomeoptionsandcosts.docVIP

Horse Powered Traction and Tillage: Some Options and Costs for Sustainable Agriculture, With International Applications. Chet Kendell Michigan State University, Doctoral Student, CARRS Dept. Abstract: Often overlooked, the use of the heavy horse for agricultural work persists. Research at Michigan State University indicates a major increase in Michigan of the use of equines as work animals. Amish and others are effectively using horses in agriculture. Environmentally conscious farmers can be found at trade conferences quietly discussing the practicality of using horses. Horses reduce the off-farm inputs of diesel fuel and lubricants and reduce pollution. At the same time horses fit well into a diverse farming system already embraces livestock. They minimize ground compaction and their manure contributes to soil fertility and health. Using horses in agriculture can facilitate positive community interaction. This paper takes a praxis perspective, as a practicing sustainable farmer who uses draft horses extensively on his own farm and as a Ph.D. student. It provides a model for others to evaluate their potential costs and benefits of using horses. Fundamental economics and values are discussed. This analysis includes variability in labor and fuel rates with implications for international agriculture. It indicates that even though the choice to use horses is often a value laden moral choice, there is also an economic basis as well, especially if the regenerative potential of the horses are utilized. This conclusion is dependent on the scale of farming operations with the price of labor and fuel being other key variables. Keywords: animal traction, tillage, draft horse, agriculture, economics, development, sustainable, organic, soil compaction, community, agriculture pollution, environment, regeneration, scale, soil fertility. Introduction When we think of agriculture traction and tillage options we instinctively think in terms of scale. One would