AA-2026-4F877F
On the image
A herd of cattle, uniformly light-colored, is engaged in their primary economic activity: transforming vast quantities of chlorophyll into marketable protein. They exhibit a single-minded focus on the task at hoof, demonstrating an efficiency rarely seen in human enterprise.
This particular outdoor processing facility is situated against a backdrop of imposing green mountains, their slopes providing both scenic beauty and, presumably, additional grazing opportunities at higher altitudes. The minimal fencing suggests a certain level of trust in bovine self-governance.
In the 1970s, as now, these animals were a crucial part of the food supply chain, their quiet, relentless chewing a constant against a world of shifting societal norms and avocado-colored appliances. The camera documents their essential, unchanging work with quiet appreciation.
The historian's note
Captured in the 1970s, a herd of light-colored cattle, possibly Charolais or Blonde d'Aquitaine, grazes in a verdant mountain pasture. This scene reflects typical agricultural practices for beef production during the period.
Cattle ranching was a significant part of the North American agricultural economy in the 1970s. Large tracts of pastureland in mountainous and hilly regions were utilized for grazing, allowing cattle to feed naturally for much of their lives.
The image illustrates the enduring role of traditional livestock farming in rural economies, providing food resources while often maintaining open landscapes. The emphasis on pasture feeding highlights practices common before the widespread adoption of industrial feedlot operations.
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Cattle on Mountain Pasture, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-4F877F. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/cattle-on-mountain-pasture-1970s.
@misc{aaAA20264F877F,
title = {Cattle on Mountain Pasture, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-4F877F},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/cattle-on-mountain-pasture-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Cattle on Mountain Pasture, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-4F877F UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/cattle-on-mountain-pasture-1970s ER -
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