Livestock
In North America, vast herds of grazing animals used to roam.
Our rangeland ecosystems evolved under this high intensity, short duration grazing.
Nomadic herds no longer range from north to south and back again, but with careful management livestock can fill the void. Well-managed livestock are a useful tool for rangeland, forest and fisheries restoration. Instead of being a threat, well-managed livestock can reinvigorate landscapes that have devolved into barren unproductivity, helping restore other essential ecological processes along the way.
Livestock, on the range, efficiently convert the sun’s energy locked within plants into edible protein. Livestock, in intensive confinement, provide a haven for problems, ranging from their own behavior and health including the rise of disease, to environmental concerns such as non-point source pollution arising from collected waste.
Latest articles
Read more about the benefits offered by domestic animals:
Where’s the Beef? Ranchers Take Stand Over Synthetic ‘Meat’ Label
Calling BS on fake meat and its hucksters.
Dropping the Fences Episode 2: RAIN
Episode 2: After reading the signs, Johnny’s predictions of good rain come true after seven years of drought. Within weeks the veld is transformed in a great renewal as seeds that have lain dormant for […]
One Creature Changed the Countryside and Our Lives More Than Any Other. Meet the Horses That Built Britain
As discussed in the article below, horses evolved in the Americas, and crossed to Europe and Asia during previous ice ages. Domestic horses are central to human civilizations – including those of North America. […]
Fuel, Fire, and Wild Horses
Wildfire continues to devastate the American West at increasing rates. According to some, the plan that could combat the danger of forest fire lies in the complicated history and present role of the wild horse. […]
Everybody Knew the Invasive Grass of Maui Posed a Deadly Fire Threat, but Few Acted
As discussed below, the Lahaina fires were caused by excessive dry fuel accumulated over many years. The only sustainable way to control this dangerous buildup is by grazing. But common sense is stopped by […]
Meat Consumption and Longevity
As discussed below, it turns out that eating meat is good not bad for people’s life expectancy. Wait long enough and you’ll see most medical ‘facts’ debunked. But as a matter of common sense, […]
Incentivizing Wildlife Stewardship
The Endangered Species Act has prevented 99% of listed species from going extinct, but only 2% of listed species have actually recovered. Property & Environment Research Center (PERC) believes we can do better. […]
PG&E Scraps Tree-Trimming Program Once Seen as Key to Fire Prevention
As discussed below, California’s big electric company says it can’t control wildfires with chainsaws. As discussed for years on this blog, the ONLY cost effective and sustainable way to reduce wildfires is with animal […]
Grass Fed Beef: Farm to Fork Wyoming
Fourth generation Wyoming ranchers, Bobby and Brendan Thoman, return cattle to the family operation – using an elegant logic of healthier soil and a focus on both the cow and customer. NOTE: this […]
Higher Cattle Prices Here, More To Come, Rebuilding Yet To Begin
“Good news for the folks who produce the beef Americans love. Beef producers have been suffering for years.
Markets for Conservation: Reining in the Wild Horse Crisis
There are more wild horses and burros on the public landscape allotted to them than that range can sustain. Beautiful as they are, these animals are degrading the range and they compete for water and forage with […]
The Role of Ruminants in Environmental Health
An excellent video from the Savory Center for Holistic Management, in Zimbabwe. The thinking described is largely missing from the management of our public ranges, forests, and national parks, even though ALL […]
Let’s Tell the Truth About Wolf Predation
“As discussed below, actual livestock deaths from wolf predation are few, and greatly exaggerated.
Breaking the Code on the Invisible Fenceline
“Someday soon, a workable livestock grazing collar – such as what is described in the article below – will transform restorative grazing practices.
‘Rewilding’ Horses Aims to Mitigate Wildfires, Reduce Insured Losses
Wild Horse Fire Brigade’s Natural Wildfire Abatement and Forest Protection Plan is designed to relocate wild horses from Bureau of Land Management facilities into the wilderness, an effort designed to reduce the size and intensity […]
A Bird’s-eye view of the Dingambombwe Conservancy Cattle Herd
Here is a great aerial time lapse visual of Africa Center for Holistic Management (ACHM) herd moving through the conservancy regenerating as they go. Note: With many thanks to the ACHM newsletter, where this was […]
Feeding the Wildlife Isn’t Free
As discussed below, in private lands wildlife management, “No good deed goes unpunished”.
Horse Nations
Coming home: As discussed below, “Horses evolved millions of years ago in North America and, after spreading to Eurasia and Africa, went extinct in their homeland at the end of the last ice age. Along […]
RESEARCH ARTICLE ON HORSES: Early Dispersal of Domestic Horses Into the Great Plains and Northern Rockies
Are horses native to, or so-called “invasive exotics“ in North America? As discussed below, “Horses were deeply integrated into Indigenous (American Indian) societies before the arrival of 18th-century (1700’s) European observers, as reflected in […]
Dropping the Fences, Episode 2: RAIN
After reading the signs, Johnny’s predictions of good rain come true after seven years of drought. Within weeks the veld is transformed in a great renewal as seeds that have lain dormant for years come […]