the sustainable bull

In the heart of the Iberian pastures (dehesa), where centuries-old oak groves are intertwined with open pastures, the breeding of the brave bull has found a harmonious balance with nature. This landscape of High Natural Value (HNV) is an ecosystem that guarantees biodiversity conservation and stands as a model of sustainability in extensive livestock farming.

Breeding the fighting bull in these landscapes is a meticulous process that combines tradition and ecological management. In glù, we could say, is almost an artisanal job.

From birth, the animal grows on large farms where its natural behavior is respected. On large tracts of land, the bulls share the habitat with deer, wild boar, and a diversity of birds of prey that fly through the sky. Extensive management allows the soil not to degrade and natural resources to be used in a regenerative way.

One of the fundamental pillars of sustainable breeding is food. Unlike other intensive livestock systems, the fighting bull is fed mainly on the natural pastures offered by the dehesa, supplemented with acorns, hay, and cereals in times of scarcity. This diet not only contributes to its physical development and temperament but also reduces the environmental footprint by minimizing the need for industrial feed and monocultures associated with deforestation.

Animal welfare is another key aspect. The bulls grow up in semi-free conditions, in groups that imitate natural hierarchical structures. Minimal human intervention allows them to develop their survival instinct, which reinforces their bravery and resistance. The absence of intensive practices and respect for biological cycles guarantee a more ethical breeding process aligned with the conservation of the environment.

The dehesa, as a HNV ecosystem, benefits greatly from the presence of the fighting bull. By grazing in a controlled manner, these animals contribute to the regeneration of the soil, avoiding the proliferation of flammable bushes and reducing the risk of forest fires. In addition, their activity disperses seeds and favors plant biodiversity, creating optimal habitats for numerous species.

On the other hand, sustainable management of the dehesa implies careful management of water resources. On these farms, natural watering holes and ponds are maintained and protected, allowing the survival of amphibians, pollinating insects, and other forms of aquatic life. Extensive livestock farming, in this sense, becomes an instrument of active conservation of the landscape.

The socioeconomic impact of raising the fighting bull in HNV landscapes is also relevant. This activity not only generates employment in rural areas but also encourages the transmission of ancestral knowledge. Livestock farms function as guardians of a cultural heritage that ranges from genetic selection to ecological management of the territory. The presence of the fighting bull keeps traditions alive that would otherwise be in danger of disappearing.

Despite its benefits, the breeding of the fighting bull faces challenges in the current context. Pressure on the ‘dehesa’ due to climate change, competition with intensive production models, and the evolution of social perceptions of bullfighting have put the viability of this system to the test. However, many farms have responded with diversification strategies, including ecotourism, organic meat production, and environmental education, as ways to generate income without compromising the essence of their activity.

In the end, the sustainable breeding of the fighting bull in HNV landscapes demonstrates that it is possible to maintain a balanced relationship between livestock farming and environmental conservation. Through respect for natural cycles, extensive management, and the valorization of the ecosystem, this model represents a viable and resilient alternative in a world that seeks more sustainable forms of agricultural production. The dehesa, with its majesty intact, continues to bear witness to a legacy in which the fighting bull and nature coexist in a timeless dance of strength and balance.

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