Despite not well studied within the sustainable agriculture research community, there is evidence that animal traction could be a regenerative power option for small farms. Animals cause minimal compaction, appreciate, and can regenerate. Fuel can be grown on farm, some animals are multi-purpose, and there is social benefit for those that interact with them. However, opportunities for aspiring teamsters to gain knowledge are limited. Extension materials and programming from public Universities are also not widely available. A side-by-side tractor animal traction comparison was established at the Meigs Horticulture Facility in Lafayette IN (Meigs). There were two treatments potato production with animal traction (AT) and potato production with small tractor traction (TT). During the study all field activities related to potato production were performed with animal power or tractor power in the two treatments, respectively. Data collection included: cost of equipment, time for each field, potato yield, and comprehensive soil health assessment including penetration resistance. Potato yield did not differ between AT and TT (P = 0.79213). Yields were 15,266.3 ± 7,523.6 and 12,981.0 ± 9,175.0 lb. 1-acre for AT and TT, respectively. Overall cost of capital equipment used in thus study were 17,050 and 42,147.30 for AT and TT, respectively. Total time in the field for major field events was 4 hours for AT compared to TT. Preliminary results reveal that similar yields to tractor power can be achieved when using animal power. Time in the field may be greater in animal traction, but capital equipment costs can be lower.
