Veracruz is the origin for every cow that ever walked Amercan soils. That is -- until the last hundred
years when breeders started improving the herds with imported stock.
A little time after Hernan Cortes vanquished the Montezuma empire,
the first cattle started arriving from Cuba. They formed the
basis for livestock in Los Tuxtlas for the next 400 years.
Cortes established the first herds and also branded the first animals
in the Americas. Who did he think would steal them?
years when breeders started improving the herds with imported stock.
A little time after Hernan Cortes vanquished the Montezuma empire,
the first cattle started arriving from Cuba. They formed the
basis for livestock in Los Tuxtlas for the next 400 years.
Cortes established the first herds and also branded the first animals
in the Americas. Who did he think would steal them?
The next major batch of cattle breeds didn´t arrive in Los Tuxtlas until the early 1900´s. And its been
downhill ever since then.
In the latter part of the 20th century, the Mexcian government involved itself in cattle ranching, promoting
and sponsoring zillions of ventures trying to turn anyone with a cow into a mini rancher. As a
consequence, the Tuxtlas were desnuded and turned into pasture for hamburgers. The process is
ongoing because it´s profitable.
Nowadays, support for the industry is mostly "talk-only". The Tuxtlas are equivalent to Switzerland for
milk producing cows. Yet, to find a quart of fresh milk in Los Tuxtlas is equivalent to searching for the
holy grail. There is no processor of milk within a 50 mile reach. If you want milk it comes in an ultra
pasteurized paper carton of 1 liter, manufactured who knows where.
Cheese is produced in abundance in the region in deplorable conditions and fortunately does not carry a
Tuxtlas brand name.
Meat, too, feeds the families of Mexico´s most populated districts and is probably known as Tuxtlas
"mystery meat"
Most major cattle operations in Los Tuxtlas are owned by "gentleman cowboys" from other
planets. There still are humongous ranches with only rabbits and rattlesnakes occupying them because
their owners apparently forgot they owned the terrain.
On the other hand, hungry campesinos have been and are destroying mountain sides with upward of 40
degree slopes to sustain 1 or 2 cattle. (takes approximately 2 acres to support 1 cattle)
Meanwhile - erosion is slowly filling Laguna Catemaco, soil temperatures are increasing
and bullshit reigns.
downhill ever since then.
In the latter part of the 20th century, the Mexcian government involved itself in cattle ranching, promoting
and sponsoring zillions of ventures trying to turn anyone with a cow into a mini rancher. As a
consequence, the Tuxtlas were desnuded and turned into pasture for hamburgers. The process is
ongoing because it´s profitable.
Nowadays, support for the industry is mostly "talk-only". The Tuxtlas are equivalent to Switzerland for
milk producing cows. Yet, to find a quart of fresh milk in Los Tuxtlas is equivalent to searching for the
holy grail. There is no processor of milk within a 50 mile reach. If you want milk it comes in an ultra
pasteurized paper carton of 1 liter, manufactured who knows where.
Cheese is produced in abundance in the region in deplorable conditions and fortunately does not carry a
Tuxtlas brand name.
Meat, too, feeds the families of Mexico´s most populated districts and is probably known as Tuxtlas
"mystery meat"
Most major cattle operations in Los Tuxtlas are owned by "gentleman cowboys" from other
planets. There still are humongous ranches with only rabbits and rattlesnakes occupying them because
their owners apparently forgot they owned the terrain.
On the other hand, hungry campesinos have been and are destroying mountain sides with upward of 40
degree slopes to sustain 1 or 2 cattle. (takes approximately 2 acres to support 1 cattle)
Meanwhile - erosion is slowly filling Laguna Catemaco, soil temperatures are increasing
and bullshit reigns.
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Economy of Los Tuxtlas
Livestock
Livestock
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