Posted on 05/22/2024 8:28:58 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
On Saturday, the Australian government announced plans to ban its live sheep export trade by 2028, a move praised by animal rights groups but condemned by farmers who were “shocked” at the 4-year timeline, even as the government offered a ~$71M package to help impacted businesses make the transition.
Farmers in neighboring New Zealand, renowned for its shearling natives, will have taken notice.
Indeed, NZ’s own sheep population continues to dwindle, with new data released by Stats NZ in early May revealing that the nation’s total number of sheep fell by 3% to ~24M for the year ended June 2023. That’s roughly half the figure recorded two decades ago, and 65% less than in 1981, when there were ~22 sheep for every resident. And, as the country’s human population boomed to more than 5.2M in 2023, the country’s sheep-to-people ratio has been sheared to just ~4.6.
The decline of the country’s sheep industry — with exports of lamb, mutton, and wool once the country’s largest source of national revenue — has been relentless for decades. That’s partly due to a deterioration in the economics of sheep farming, as the price of wool has plummeted and farmers look to cut costs anywhere they can, including by taking more risks on their insurance.
Another factor has been the loss of farmland: since 2011, the country has lost more than 940K hectares of grassland .
Why? Part of the reason, at least recently, is that in 2019, NZ pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050, leading to the introduction of a trading program that allows companies to offset emissions with carbon credits purchased from forest owners. As the price of these credits soared, the math became clear for farmers: cash-in on the credits by converting their agricultural land to forest.
One day people will get hungry. In America we are growing corn to burn as ethanol which is a waste, inefficient and subsidized heavily by tax dollars. One day people will get hungry.
Now the people are the sheeple.
Part of the decline is also due to the Repopulation Program taking place there and most Western countries. This has resulted in a doubling, or more, of the population, as the old guard is squeezed out to make way for the Third World types. But I also agree with the article, they’re in the process of shutting down meat production, as will the US should Biden win (still, a small price to pay, since Trump is so ‘brash’).
Pink Floyd - Sheep
Hopelessly passing your time in the grassland away
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air
You better watch out
There may be dogs about
I’ve looked over Jordan, and I have seen
Things are not what they seem
What do you get for pretending the danger’s not real
Meek and obedient you follow the leader
Down well trodden corridors into the valley of steel
What a surprise
The look of terminal shock in your eyes
Now things are really what they seem
No, this is no bad dream
Bleating and babbling we fell on his neck with a scream
Wave upon wave of demented avengers
March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream
Have you heard the news?
The dogs are dead
You better stay home
And do as you’re told
Get out of the road if you want to grow old
One and the same in New Zealand.
Recently I’ve been enjoying New Zealand lamb chops from Sam’s.
Mutton isn’t a pleasant meat, see Seinfeld, but it makes a tasty curry..
Mutton has a lot of fat in it, so maybe a carefully trimmed and marinated and grilled slab could be really delicious.
How are the insect raisers doing?
My daughter and her cousin went on a cruise to Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. Had most fun in New Zealand and bought me a gorgeous sweater made mostly of possum fur and some sheep wool. So they’re not all sheeple there.
Myy friend’s cousin moved there from the US. Complains of confiscatory taxes, but felt it was worth it because it’s so peaceful and law abiding. Third world invaders will change that.
I have been craving mutton for 35 years after having it three times in a row every time I had dinner a friend’s house. I hated it the first two time and liked it the third. They were Basque and raised a lot of sheep. I raised a dorper lamb a few years ago, it was tender and mild. I kinda wish it had a little more sheepy flavor. My daughter just got a lamb for FFA today. I’m really craving some lamb chops. LOl
I’m from Bakersfield Ca. When I was younger there were sheep herders everywhere. All of them Basque. They established some great Basque restaurants that are still in business, still packed, and some of the best food you can have. Woolgrower’s has recipes on their website.
I’d have to shed my guns at their border, so those countries are a no-go for me...as far as a relocation. A visit maybe...they ARE beautiful places to go.
I’ve seen no sheep in Broken Wood
>> One day people will get hungry.
That’s why my newest vocation is what I call “Part Time Sustenance Agriculture”. It’s a proud step backwards in time! Guess that makes me an antiprogressive...? 🤣
>> One day people will get hungry.
That’s why my newest vocation is what I call “Part Time Sustenance Agriculture”. It’s a proud step backwards in time! Guess that makes me an antiprogressive...? 🤣
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