O’Neill: Reflections on raising livestock (column)

Casey O’Neill is a farmer and owner of Happy Day Farms in Laytonville, Calif. The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of The Mendocino Voice. If you’d like to write your own column for The Mendocino Voice, send your idea to info@mendovoice.com.

The grass grows thick and lush in the moist pasture, soaking up the rays of the sun and spreading luxuriant stems and leaves towards the sky. The chomping of pigs and sheep is audible, along with the ringing of the bell that the buck has around his neck to warn us if he decides to charge. I’ve just opened a section of electric fencing to move the sheep and pigs to the next area for grazing and they stream in with delight, spreading out to investigate what species are available for their consumption.