The Overlooked Role of Oxen
While the role of cows in simple living is appreciated because of their milk production, the importance of working oxen for many is still not understood. Working with oxen has a long history and can be traced back thousands of years. However, the role of working animals was undermined by the industrial revolution and has become considerably reduced. Just a few decades ago, farmers who worked with animals instead of machines were considered backward.
The Revival of Traditional Agriculture
Fortunately, a revival in traditional agriculture started several years ago when farmers in industrialized countries turned back to the farming methods of their ancestors. Now more people are beginning to appreciate the value of working animals, giving these animals the credit they deserve. In the United States several hundred small farming projects have started using oxen instead of tractors. The continuous rise in petrol prices has been an important factor in this trend.
Ecological and Inspirational Benefits of Oxen
Because industrialisation and consumer society has led the world to the brink of ecological disaster, traditional agricultural methods are now considered progressive. Partly due to this, using oxen instead of machines gives inspiration, strength and self-esteem to farmers.
This positive effect will increase worldwide if we, the consumers, buy food grown on such farms. It is clearly an individual decision whether we support these kinds of farming projects instead of industrialised farms. The success of the organic farming movement requires the support of consumers and the economic sector.
The Historic and Modern Role of Working Oxen
In all pre-industrial civilizations, using the power of animals as a motive force was the norm – the only alternative was to replace working animals with humans. When animals are both valued and well-treated, engaging them in agricultural work becomes beneficial for both animals and humans. Pre-industrial societies knew that agricultural work is suitable for the temperament of oxen and engaged them, as well as other animals, accordingly. In modern agriculture, male animals are generally viewed as unproductive (apart from the few kept for reproduction). But when bulls can be trained to become working oxen, they become a valuable participant in the creation of wealth for individuals and society at large.
Oxen in Agriculture: Practical Applications
There are many ways oxen can be engaged in agricultural work, including land cultivation, haymaking, milling, and transport. Using ox for this kind of work reduces the need to use heavy machinery and thus reduces the strain on the environment caused by fossil fuels powered machinery.
There are various elements needed to successfully working with oxen. These include: dedicated trained people, well-trained oxen, optimum timing, and effective equipment.
In the chart below we can see various types of work oxen perform at a Hungarian organic farm. Not all these activities are fully developed, for example, the drawing of water from a well or the production of electricity using a capstan are still under development.
Landcultivation | Haymaking | Ox mill | Transport | Training |
- ploughing - land preparation - sowing - cultivation - harvesting - maintenance - manure spreading | - cutting - turning - raking - collecting | - threshing - sawing - milling - pulling water - producing electricity | - festivals - processions - guest and general transport - firewood | - training for each year from an ox’s birth until its 4th year |
The Agricultural Value of Organic Manure
Another valuable agricultural contribution of bulls, oxen and cows is fertiliser, or manure. Organic manure is a treasure for farmers, since all food production requires a reliable source of nutrients. Using cow dung is a natural way to provide such nutrients. The basis of organic gardening is a well-prepared and nutritive rich soil and the best currently existing soil-condition supplying material is cow manure. This manure contains nutrients in optimal proportions and improves the structure of the soil. It also loosens dense soil, makes clay rich ground friable and helps vegetables absorb nutrients. Of course, cow dung sourced from organic farms is better than that from non-organic sources. If someone does not have a farm close by, then buying organic pulverized manure is a good alternative.
The Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Oxen
According to ancient Vedic teachings, without protecting cows and oxen it is impossible to maintain spiritual culture, and without such culture it is impossible to attain the goal of life. Therefore, these animals were protected in the Vedic culture and there was no livestock which exploited cattle. Quite the contrary, these powerful productive animals were respected and treated as valuable members of the household and were not killed even in old age. Cows were kept for their milk, whereas oxen as well as bulls acted as the motive force for agricultural work and transportation, thus sustaining families in accordance with the principles of simple living, high thinking.
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