Y2K and Cow Protection

[Guest guest]

Less than 80 days left til Y2K. Mangala Arotik prabhu just e-mailed me to

say that Gita-nagari hopes to receive its new windmill a couple of weeks

to guarantee that the cows will continue to have water, no matter what.

(I remember what it was like one winter when the pipes froze and we had

to lug 5-gallon buckets of water to the barn from a spring-fed source. I

couldn't believe that after I expended all that effort to lug a 5 gallon

bucket some 200 feet to the barn, the cow could drink it all in about 30

seconds.)

 

Anyway, that got me thinking that we should review considerations for the

cows to insure them against discomfort this winter.

 

1. Try to get all your hay *now.* Don't wait until February to have a

hay fund-raiser. By February, petroleum processing problems in Venezuela

and the Mid-East could spike up the petroleum prices so far that your hay

will cost much more because gas prices are factored in - if you can get

gas.

 

2. Don't forget mineral salt and other necessities. Stock up now. Also

take care of routine medical needs -- deworming, required vacinations,

etc.

 

3. It's always a good time to start training bull calves. Who know how

much it will cost to run a tractor a year or two from now? Drew Conroy

has a brand new 360 page ox power book. (I'll try to list it in a separate

post.)

 

4. Start thinking now about how you will continue your cow protection

program if donations drop sharply in 2000 and 2001. In countries like the

US, Sweden and UK the full effects of Y2K may not be felt for several

months as the crash in China, Russia, Italy, etc., gradually makes waves

that wash up on their shores in the form of devalued stocks etc. Some of

our wealthy donors may find themselves strapped for cash to continue their

current level of support for our projects. Also, many of them will be

facing large expenditures of upgrading the computer equipment in their own

businesses. Some may even be unfortunate enough to face Y2K-related

lawsuits.

 

5. Think twice before embarking on any expensive new projects between now

and March.

 

6. Think twice before increasing your breeding levels between now and

March. Are you sure you will be able to maintain and train a new calf,

even if your income is somewhat less?

 

7. Seriously consider adding technique and equipment that will make you

more self-sufficient. For example, solar-powered fencing might help you

expand your rotational grazing so that you don't need to buy hay from

outside. Even teaching gurukula students how to graze cattle might help

you be more self-sufficient. Technique *and* equipment.

 

8. Start thinking about ways to impove the security of your cows. Better

counting, shifting pasture away from roads, when they can't be watched,

etc. Prolonged economic downturns are generally times of increased cattle

rustling.

 

9. Keep an eye open for opportunities. If there is an increase in

petroleum prices, increase in unemployment or other economic stresses

over the next year or two, local farmers may be more

willing to sell cows, bull calves or land at reduced prices. If you are

prepared to take advantage of this situation, it may be a good opportunity

to expand your self-sufficient community base. Take the trouble to

maintain cordial relations with those you buy from, they may be able to

give you valuable practical advice, and will appreciate being nicely

treated by your community.

 

10. Review your milk handling process. Is there a way you could make it

less dependent on electricity if you had to? What if -- instead of

refrigeration -- you heated the milk over a wood fire and then processed

much of it into yogurt and curd, which store better than plain milk? Are

there other possibilities like that?

 

11. Review your water, feed and manure-handling operations. How would

you continue them if you had to go without water for a week?

 

 

These are just some considerations. We don't know for sure what Y2K will

bring. Some places may feel practically no effects, other places may be

completely disrupted.

 

Whenever I get in a car, I never know if it's going to crash or not -- but

I always fasten my seat-belt, just in case. Hundreds of times I've been

prepared, but I didn't get in a wreck. But, a couple of times that

seat-belt has kept me from going through the windshield.

 

Being prepared when there could be serious problems just makes sense, like

using a seat-belt. It's good to take precautions. It's good to have a

plan in place ahead of time.

 

Not being prepared for Y2K means you are betting that there won't be any

problems from computer malfunction. I don't know about you, but I took a

vow against betting in March 1986.

 

We may not even be able to prepare for everything, but at least we should

do as much as we are able. We owe it to Srila Prabhupada.

 

And -- what about the rest of you out there -- the ones who don't have any

cows? You know what? -- A lot of Krsna's cowherds could really use your

support and encouragement this winter. You never know, you may be looking

to them for favors if things get rough. So, keep in touch with them, be

willing to lend a helping hand for Krsna's cows.

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi