Shepherds in Italy
Goats are funny, inventive, loving and entertaining animals that can be used for a lot of things. That makes goat farming and shepherds in Italy popular. But not among olive growers.
Goats are known to be curious and inventive.
Last summer we were standing over a dried out river bed in Parma watching a shepherd and his four dogs try to control about 100 goats and sheep eager to nibble at every plant available. It was fascinating to see how the dogs kept the herd together, and made the animals move in the same direction at the same time. You could not help feeling affection for these creatures that looked like the horse chestnut animals we used to make as kids with their round body on skinny stick legs.
Shepherding also seems like a strangely anachronistic job in an era when most people are busy designing microchips or planning holidays in space. Even in a country and region where the tradition for transhumance can be traced back to the pre-Roman age.
A herd of goats having a party in a neighbours olive field.
Farmers complain
A few weeks later I heard goats in the field next to ours in Puglia and went to see what was happening. The goats were everywhere, eating from the grass, the olive trees, the vines, and even the spikes of cactus figs did not deter them. Later I remarked to our neighbour that the passing goats were kind of cute, and even though he is normally a patient and calm man, he responded vehemently.
– Goats are not cute, and they should not be allowed to trespass on other peoples land, he said. The only reason the shepherd takes them into that particular patch of land is, because he knows the owner is incapacitated. The goats strip the bark of the olive trees making them susceptible to diseases. They break smaller plants like the vines. And they ruin the ancient dry stone walls surrounding our fields. Goat farming and shepherds in Italy are okay for making milk and meat and fibre and ricotta, as long as the goats remain on the goat owner’s pasture. But if you see them on your land, you should shoo them off.
And being very fond of vines, olive trees and dry stone walls, I know he has got a point. Fortunately, I have not seen the goats that close up afterwards.
Some of the goats look really cute.
This blog post was last updated in March 2017.
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Yikes! They are cute creatures but they can do some damage. I love the pictures!
Yes, it’s a pity, if they ruin the very, very old olive trees we have in the south of Italy.
I’ve always been fascinated by herding just in general, Mette! The way the dogs instinctively can collect and direct. I have a bit of sympathy for the goats in that I love olives too! Ironically I used some black olives in a new Pesto Pasta Salad recipe this morning :)
Now I just have to cross over to pastmycurfew, and see if you’ve shared the success:)
Lovely :)
Thank you.
So lovely. I cannot believe how cute they look. Nice read, too.
Thank you.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen these many goats before in real life or a picture. Herding all of those would have been quite a sight to see. I think they’re kinda cute too :)
Yes, there is quite a herd, but with one or two dogs they seem manageable.
I’d rather eat bark than olives straight off the tree too. Someone tricked me into doing that once. Live and learn.
I try the olives every year to see when they have had enough. But 9 out of 10 times I end up spitting.
Goats are cute. And clever. But I suppose I can see the point; a bit like reindeer in Northern Norway. Adorable, but they wreak havoc in people’s gardens.
It is the same problem, although I doubt the reindeer equals Italian goat in numbers. Personally, I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting one of the wild ones, but then again I haven’t spent that many days in Northern Norway.
I’ve seen mountain goats in person, and they can be very vicious . So I guess these low land goats are much the same. Their cousins, the sheep, seem more docile but I think they too cause a lot of hard to the land.
I didn’t know goats could be vicious. How interesting.
Love the first photo! Cute and funny :)
That’s a compliment – coming from a pro:)
I wish I was a Shepard,taking care of these innocent animals,play with them run with them …
Yes, there is something soothing about sheep.
So lovely.
I am interested in goat farmer job.
Hello Sir, Mam
MY name is Usama Amir Rafiq. I’m from Pakistan Punjab Gujranwala. I’m 26 year old young boy. MY education qualification is 3 year diploma of leather manufacturing. I want to job in goat and sheep and all type of animals farming
Mem i am new here in Italy i have a Dreams oneday i Will set a small fiat farmi but i don.t know where get rent Land and as a foreign national what kind of documenti i have to completo if you know that please sensi me details because i want to something here and i want contributo for italian aggriculture site with my self
Sorry, I can’t help you here, but best of luck with realizing your dreams.
Wat a good job
I wish I were a goat too, and there were many such goats around me to accompany me ;) ;) ;)
Hello, I am looking for a Job as shepard Goat/ sheep farmer, please consider me a Job and Sponsorship, Thank you