As the state allows itself kingship over all water rights and strips farmers of their rights to farm, California has the audacity to allow water that was once used for agriculture to be pumped into overcrowded cities and into the ocean to help meet the desires of environmental groups. These groups wish to place the importance of a naturally diminishing fish over the lives of humans.
Where do cows come in to play? Cows are the heroic knights in shining armor left at home while the dragon spews fire across the land.
You see, cows are known to eat grass. And what is on fire right now? Dry grass! And who is not allowed to eat said grass that is currently ablaze? Cows! Cows have been demonized in the state of California for so long that people don’t even realize that a helpful solution to our never-ending fires is to allow cows in the hills to eat the fuel that causes the blazes.
Why am I so passionate about this? Why does it matter to me? I’ll tell you.
Every day I have to look outside to see if the air is “clean” enough to for my kids to go outside for a few minutes to play. Every day I wake up and watch the sun come over what used to be a beautiful mountain that is now spewing ash, making the sunrise a color of blood red. Every day I wonder what the long-term health effects will be on our children who are being exposed to this thick smoke for so long.
I know that the situation is man-made. I know that needed water is leaving these dry areas to feed large cities and the ocean. I know that cows are a solution, yet no one is listening. Are you?
Tyler Ribeiro is a fourth-generation dairy farmer born and raised in California. He is currently partners with his father at Rib-Arrow Dairy in Tulare where they proudly ship their milk to Land O’Lakes. Tyler is actively involved in the dairy industry, holding leadership roles in various organizations locally and across the United States.
