dr. allan savory holistic management abe collins carbon farmers of america joel salatin mob grazing...
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Dr. Allan SavoryDr. Allan Savory Holistic ManagementHolistic Management
Abe CollinsAbe Collins Carbon Farmers of AmericaCarbon Farmers of America
Joel SalatinJoel Salatin Mob grazing & Chicken tractorMob grazing & Chicken tractor
Greg JudyGreg Judy Grass-fed beefGrass-fed beef
Gary ZimmerGary Zimmer Biological AgricultureBiological Agriculture
CropsCropsplant successions & servicesplant successions & services
biodiversity & polyculturesbiodiversity & polycultures
plant & insect communitiesplant & insect communities
: land improvement by grazing: land improvement by grazingLivestockLivestock
Soil Carbon CoalitionSoil Carbon Coalitionwww.soilcarboncoalition.orgwww.soilcarboncoalition.org
long-term, rapid rotationslong-term, rapid rotationsof crops & livestockof crops & livestock
RotationsRotations Climate ChangeClimate ChangeConfrontingConfronting
To advance the practiceTo advance the practiceput the carbon back where it belongsput the carbon back where it belongs
to turn atmospheric carbon into soil organic matter to turn atmospheric carbon into soil organic matter and engage people in opportunitiesand engage people in opportunities
Grass-fed beef is better for people and land. Grass-fed beef is better for people and land. Feeding cattle grass throughout their life is the Feeding cattle grass throughout their life is the most sustainable way to raise beef.most sustainable way to raise beef.
weed & pest controlweed & pest control
home-grown fertilityhome-grown fertility
UK National TrustUK National Trust
This is contrary to belief livestock farming This is contrary to belief livestock farming must intensify to feed increasing population.must intensify to feed increasing population.
Debate on climate change & food often calls Debate on climate change & food often calls for reduced meat eating and plant-based diet, for reduced meat eating and plant-based diet, but overlooks the fact many grasslands are but overlooks the fact many grasslands are unsuitable for continuous cropping.unsuitable for continuous cropping.
Grasslands support many ecosystem services: Grasslands support many ecosystem services: watersheds, wildlife, biodiversity, carbon watersheds, wildlife, biodiversity, carbon capture, weather, etc. capture, weather, etc.
Grazing livestock can contribute to grassland Grazing livestock can contribute to grassland maintenance to turn grass into human food.maintenance to turn grass into human food.
: carbon storage by plant biomass: carbon storage by plant biomass
Reversing desertification is a global warming mitigation strategy Reversing desertification is a global warming mitigation strategy because carbon is stored in stable, long-lasting organic matter in soilbecause carbon is stored in stable, long-lasting organic matter in soil
Karoo Region of South Africa Karoo Region of South Africa
Holistic Planned GrazingHolistic Planned Grazing
average rainfall: 23 cm/yearaverage rainfall: 23 cm/year
Conversion of semi-desert to healthy savanna = carbon capture of 25 to 60 t C/haConversion of semi-desert to healthy savanna = carbon capture of 25 to 60 t C/ha
Climate ChangeClimate ChangeConfrontingConfronting
higher stocking densities higher stocking densities tightly packed herds tightly packed herds frequent movementsfrequent movementswell-planned rotationswell-planned rotationsno technology, irrigation, or fertilizer no technology, irrigation, or fertilizer mimic behavior of natural herds with predatorsmimic behavior of natural herds with predators
ConventionalConventionalContinuous GrazingContinuous Grazing
Improvement in soil and vegetation restores water tables Improvement in soil and vegetation restores water tables
quickens desertificationquickens desertification
Vegetation cover contributes to evaporative coolingVegetation cover contributes to evaporative cooling
long-term, rapid rotationslong-term, rapid rotationsof crops & livestockof crops & livestock
RotationsRotations
PHOTO: Kroon Family
PHOTO: Kroon Family
Karoo Region of South Africa Karoo Region of South Africa average rainfall: 23 cm/yearaverage rainfall: 23 cm/year
Holistic Planned GrazingHolistic Planned Grazinghigher stocking densities higher stocking densities tightly packed herds tightly packed herds frequent movementsfrequent movementswell-planned rotationswell-planned rotationsno technology, irrigation, or fertilizer no technology, irrigation, or fertilizer mimic behavior of natural herds with predatorsmimic behavior of natural herds with predators
ConventionalConventionalContinuous GrazingContinuous Grazing
quickens desertificationquickens desertification
long-term, rapid rotationslong-term, rapid rotationsof crops & livestockof crops & livestock
Photos: ACHM, Seth Itzkan
Barren land eroding for decades transformed to healthy grassland savannaBarren land eroding for decades transformed to healthy grassland savanna
ZimbabweZimbabweaverage rainfall: 60 cm/yearaverage rainfall: 60 cm/year
heavy concentration of 500 cattle heavy concentration of 500 cattle corralled on site 7 to 10 evenings corralled on site 7 to 10 evenings
left excess dung & plant litterleft excess dung & plant litter
In one year, fast-growing, short-rootedIn one year, fast-growing, short-rootedannuals start to grow (white stringy plants) annuals start to grow (white stringy plants)
Land is put in a monitored grazing planLand is put in a monitored grazing plan
Dense annuals provide ground cover Dense annuals provide ground cover to retain moisture & build biodiversity in soilto retain moisture & build biodiversity in soil
Annuals are first-phase in restoration, Annuals are first-phase in restoration, but soil carbon capture is minimalbut soil carbon capture is minimal
After 8 years, perennials appearAfter 8 years, perennials appear(taller pinkish-beige plants)(taller pinkish-beige plants)
Deep roots accelerate soil carbon captureDeep roots accelerate soil carbon capture
Eventually, as grazing plan continues, site will be covered in perennialsEventually, as grazing plan continues, site will be covered in perennialsIf grazing stops, plants oxidize, and land likely returns to desertIf grazing stops, plants oxidize, and land likely returns to desert
After full recovery in 25−30 years, SOC density will increase to 25−60 tons C/haAfter full recovery in 25−30 years, SOC density will increase to 25−60 tons C/ha
RotationsRotations Climate ChangeClimate ChangeConfrontingConfronting
PHOTO: Kroon Family
Karoo Region of South Africa Karoo Region of South Africa
Holistic Planned GrazingHolistic Planned Grazing
average rainfall: 23 cm/yearaverage rainfall: 23 cm/year
higher stocking densities higher stocking densities tightly packed herds tightly packed herds frequent movementsfrequent movementswell-planned rotationswell-planned rotationsno technology, irrigation, or fertilizer no technology, irrigation, or fertilizer mimic behavior of natural herds with predatorsmimic behavior of natural herds with predators
ConventionalConventionalContinuous GrazingContinuous Grazing
quickens desertificationquickens desertification
long-term, rapid rotationslong-term, rapid rotationsof crops & livestockof crops & livestock
PHOTOSPHOTOS: Guillermo Osuna: Guillermo Osuna
Las Pilas Ranch, Coahuila, MexicoLas Pilas Ranch, Coahuila, Mexicoaverage rainfall: 50 cm/yearaverage rainfall: 50 cm/year
In 25 years, barren land completely revivedIn 25 years, barren land completely revived
Looks to be more water in 1963, Looks to be more water in 1963, but runoff was captured by a man-made pond; but runoff was captured by a man-made pond;
a 1-inch rain filled the pond a 1-inch rain filled the pond
Restoration with Restoration with Holistic Planned GrazingHolistic Planned Grazing started in 1978 started in 1978Livestock doubled; grazing by a plan to give close attention to grass healthLivestock doubled; grazing by a plan to give close attention to grass health
In 2003, restored land holds six times more water than depleted terrainIn 2003, restored land holds six times more water than depleted terrain
Water is held in soil and vegetation in a state called “green water”Water is held in soil and vegetation in a state called “green water”
even a 6-inch rain is all absorbed,even a 6-inch rain is all absorbed,with no standing water in the pondwith no standing water in the pond
Pond is grown over and no longer needed,Pond is grown over and no longer needed,as dried-up springs flow year-round againas dried-up springs flow year-round again
RotationsRotations Climate ChangeClimate ChangeConfrontingConfronting