Bullthistle Farm

With nearly 100 breeds of farm animals facing extinction, it is time for all of us to take notice.  Bullthistle Farm is dedicated to the conservation of some very special breeds.  They all share the common traits of rarity and survivability.  They are hardy, naturally disease resistant and thrifty to raise.  All were well established in America in the 1800's but due to the industrialization of our food production, all are now rare - some critically so.  This means these breeds are some of the purest in the world, not having been hybridized by man.  

Why is this important?  What if you wanted a family cow that lived a long life and didn't need a steady diet of drugs, hormones and vaccine?  What if you wanted a cow that ate (dare we ask) grass??  

Today, we seem to be set on keeping the useful genes of choice, but not keeping genetic variations.  We are not interested in keeping breeds pure either.  But that causes us to take a whole window of genetic variations in a breed and shrink it to the size of an individual pane.  Only by keeping the breeds themselves intact can we keep genetic diversity alive. 

While our industrialized food production focuses on one area, many other traits are being lost, and some of these are the most important:  mothering ability, survivability, longevity, disease resistance.  The genetic value lies in NONE of these breeds being lost. 

In the days when these breeds were commonly used, the emphasis was of efficiency rather than maximum production.  Animals thrived in the fields and pastures they were always meant to inhabit.  

Sometimes we don't know why a particular species or gene must be saved.  Only the future can know that.  But if we don't save today, there is no future for many breeds.  

We feel privileged to be part of this life cycle and the conservation of heritage breeds.  We are confident that each animal at Bullthistle Farm holds its own unique place in the world of bio-diversity.  

Bullthistle Farm welcomes inquiries and visitors.  Please feel free to browse amongst our flocks and herds.  

We are members of the following fine organizations:  

American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

American Highland Cattle Association

North Central Highland Cattle Association

Black Cotswold Society

American Cotswold Registry Association 

Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative 

Natural Colored Wool Growers Association

If you have any specific requests or would like to ask any questions, please e-mail us.