How Stargrazer, a carabao, came to our farm
Purchase Considerations
The Department of Agriculture suggested we purchase a female carabao so the history is known. We were warned if a male carabao is worked too hard and the operator turns their back, a male carabao might attack. Females are less likely to be aggressive but can not work when pregnant.
Just like a car, carabao should have paperwork to ensure they are no stolen.
How to tell if a carabao is healthy?
It shouldn’t be skinny
The nose should be moist
Agreeable demeaner
The excrement indicates health
Alternatives to purchasing a carabao
Hire help from the community. We hired a neighbor to do the first plow in our lower terraces using “Pacquiao” arrangement where a fixed price was provided to complete the work. We weren’t able to find anyone to do the 2nd plow at the same price. At the quoted rate a carabao will pay for itself in 8 plows or 2 weeks.
Purchase a tractor. There are no roads onto or around the property. The small terraces and steep hills seem like it would be difficult to navigate with a tractor. We also don’t have a person to maintain a tractor and getting parts is difficult in general. For reservoir excavations it might make sense to experiment with one.
Stargrazer was loaded in our custom made Barako 175 tricycle
Stargrazer’s schedule consists of eating and wallowing in the pools. Once we get a plow, we can do light tilling so able to plant rice in our lower terraces.
Reflections
I didn’t post video of driving with a carabao in case there is a law against it. I suspect it is ok but just in case, I’ll avoid posting self-incriminating evidence.
It took about 6 weeks to purchase a carabao since it took time to learn about one for sale and be confident we were getting what is expected. As with other things, planning ahead is helpful.
It wasn’t until I purchased a shredder that I heard the team suggest we get a carabao. There is a potential gap around my understanding of how to support the team improve productivity.
The formatting on this blog could be better.
Having a carabao feels similar to having both a pet and new tool - both are positive emotions.
What’s next for Stargrazer?
We plan to purchase a plow and fashion a yoke so able to till area for planting.
Experiment with transitioning grass slopes to healthy biological systems where coffee can thrive.