“This is my second batch of corn- batch; number one was destroyed about a month ago, batch number two, they started on them Sunday last and they continued up until Tuesday, so this is the situation, this is what is left after the cows had come in and destroyed.”
This was a part of the story being told by Mr. Celester David Browne who has been farming for a number years in Parham lodge.
During a visit to his farm last week, he said that for the past couple of years, he has been experiencing some serious problems with stray animals, mainly cows.
According to Browne, he has taken measures to try and curb the situation by making reports to the authorities and has even gone to the owners of the animals to complain, but nothing has changed, it basically had gotten worse.
According to the full-time farmer, the law requires that people rearing animals should have them in a paddock and if that is not available, the animals should be kept tied.
He said that an appraisal of the damage is being done for review by the authorities, but in the meantime, the unwelcomed visits remain.
Mr. Browne said that when the cows came into his farm a few days ago, he could not get them out so he had to leave them there as he wrapped up his day’s work. As they head to their prized crops Browne said that they trampled any other crops that are planted in their path.
“They were right in the corner finishing up the job; I couldn’t get them out, they love corn and vine and they just walk on anything.’’
Browne explained that he grows other crops such as onion, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and butternuts but growing corn is a ‘big thing’ for him as he uses the money to pay his mortgage and for water services.
“We need to have corn every month so that we can make back money to pay our mortgage.”
He said that the stress that comes with this ongoing situation is overwhelming.
‘I can’t sleep good at night; it’s stressful for me. What I would tell them (cow owners) is to get a heart, just find a heart because when I come up here to the farm, from the time I reach the gate and driving in, my heart start to beat funny because I don’t know what I will meet up there”, the farmer stated.
He continued, “Knowing how I depend on it (corn), I feel it in my heart. You can see the green corn from a distance and they (cows) know where they are so they just come in. When they come in, they come in to play and feed, they can’t play and feed nowhere else but in this fencing here.”
Speaking about fencing, Browne said that his fencing is low so the cows, being big and agile, jump on the fence and bring it down. He said even a nearby farmer who has a high fence also felt of the brunt of their presence as the cows ripped it up from below and make their way in.
He reminded the owners of these cows that most farmers have their crops as investments but for some, it’s their livelihood.
“Us as farmers want to reap the benefits of our investments as well’ we need to care about one another generally and have a heart.”
In terms of food security, Mr. Browne said that his contribution to feed food security has reduced significantly due to the challenging time he is having with the cows.
“Mainly they feed when it’s cool but any time they feel like they would also come in. “
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
So since they’re stray cows does that mean we can hunt free beef?
I totally agree , farmer browne should be by the market every day selling beef
Comments are closed.