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The federal government gives farmers a lot of different subsidies already. If we can pay someone to not grow corn, we can pay them for a cow that got killed by

by neaden 6y ago

The federal government gives farmers a lot of different subsidies already. If we can pay someone to not grow corn, we can pay them for a cow that got killed by a wolf.

smabie 6y ago
Things like that have bad incentive structures and will be gamed
- aejnsn 6y ago
  You have to understand farmers and farming. Do you think a true farmer is more dedicated to completing government paperwork or more dedicated to raising another head of livestock? For the gamers/hackers, this is why we fund judges, prosecutors, investigators, and the rest of the court system. You cannot make the case that 5% of those with bad intentions ruin it for the 95% of those with good intentions. Not saying the policy will ever be correct, but this is why you introduce thresholds, limitations, and requirements. For instance, using donkeys in the pasture to combat predators should be required. Promote smart farming, not just a pocketbook.
  - shadowgovt 6y ago
    I've never heard of co-pasturing donkeys to combat predators before. How does that work? That's neat.
    - aejnsn 6y ago
      My grandparents did some (mostly subsistence) livestock farming when I was a tiny kid. Donkeys are extremely territorial, and snap into this fit of pissed off rage when an intruder threatens their territory or what they identify as 'their' herd. Usually a well-acclimated herd will understand the donkey as their protector. If being ran down by this raging anger-beast doesn't spook a predator enough, a donkey will stomp it bad enough to bring new meaning to the phrase 'ass-kicking'. I've never seen a pasture-mated donkey scared by much of anything other than loud noise, they're brave and loyal to a fault. Great Pyrenees dogs are amazing defenders as well. I've seen those put the brakes on some prowling coyotes and put a chase on them so hard that they defy physics to get over a fence. Exceptionally friendly to humans, and other dogs, outside their pastures. One of the good boys used to visit for pets and treats. :)
deleted 6y ago
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by neaden 6y ago

The federal government gives farmers a lot of different subsidies already. If we can pay someone to not grow corn, we can pay them for a cow that got killed by a wolf.

smabie 6y ago

Things like that have bad incentive structures and will be gamed

aejnsn 6y ago
You have to understand farmers and farming. Do you think a true farmer is more dedicated to completing government paperwork or more dedicated to raising another head of livestock? For the gamers/hackers, this is why we fund judges, prosecutors, investigators, and the rest of the court system. You cannot make the case that 5% of those with bad intentions ruin it for the 95% of those with good intentions. Not saying the policy will ever be correct, but this is why you introduce thresholds, limitations, and requirements. For instance, using donkeys in the pasture to combat predators should be required. Promote smart farming, not just a pocketbook.
- shadowgovt 6y ago
  I've never heard of co-pasturing donkeys to combat predators before. How does that work? That's neat.
  - aejnsn 6y ago
    My grandparents did some (mostly subsistence) livestock farming when I was a tiny kid. Donkeys are extremely territorial, and snap into this fit of pissed off rage when an intruder threatens their territory or what they identify as 'their' herd. Usually a well-acclimated herd will understand the donkey as their protector. If being ran down by this raging anger-beast doesn't spook a predator enough, a donkey will stomp it bad enough to bring new meaning to the phrase 'ass-kicking'. I've never seen a pasture-mated donkey scared by much of anything other than loud noise, they're brave and loyal to a fault. Great Pyrenees dogs are amazing defenders as well. I've seen those put the brakes on some prowling coyotes and put a chase on them so hard that they defy physics to get over a fence. Exceptionally friendly to humans, and other dogs, outside their pastures. One of the good boys used to visit for pets and treats. :)

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]