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:
Holistic Management vs Conventional Management: A Stark Look.
This footage was shot on the same day, in 2-neighboring countries (Zimbabwe and Botswana), on different land bases which use different forms of management. With thanks to The Africa Center for Holistic Management (ACHM) […]
Examples of Grassland Restoration – Excerpt from Talk by Allan Savory at Tufts University
Excerpted from Allan Savory’s presentation on January 25, 2013 at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, this segment highlights examples of how Holistic Management restores grasslands from land that’s degraded to desert. This innovative, natural, and simple […]
Robert F. Kennedy Jr: The Harmful Effects Of Glyphosate, The Most Common Agrochemical
We’re living in an age where it’s increasingly hard to avoid exposure to toxins. These chemicals – which are doing great damage to wildlife, fisheries, habitat, forests, and people – are touted by almost […]
Can Sheep Save the Planet?
“Desertification is a fancy word for land that is turning to desert,” states Allan Savory in his quiet but inspirational form. Desertification is happening to about two-thirds of the world’s grasslands, accelerating climate […]
Wild Horses: Nature’s Survivors in North America
Quoting the experts in the film below: “With the reintroduction of wild horses, do we treat them as an exotic species or have we merely returned a native to its homeland?” El Caballo, […]
America Saved the Grizzlies, and Now the Bears are Invading Towns
As discussed below, grizzly bears are increasingly a danger to people, property, and livestock. At Pitchstone Waters Ranch, grizzly bears have made cattle ranching virtually impossible, thus hampering our efforts to reduce fine fuels […]
King Charles: How Cattle Can Restore Habitat and Wildlife
“King Charles comments on Allan Savory and his integrated approach to ranching and farming, and the role ruminants for the health of grasslands. Segment from speech given by the Prince to the IUCN World Conservation […]
Grazing Cattle to Restore Forest
Greg Judy and his men turn cattle mob into a forest of forage never grazed. Greg Judy writes, “The transformation on this very rough 10 acres is going to take several years. […]
Cattle Grazing in Scottish Forest
This short film has wonderful images of Highland cattle and explains the importance of their grazing to land management in The Great Trossachs Forest of Scotland. NOTE: this post was originally published to […]
Mending Fences – An RMEF Film
Woven wire fencing dating back almost a century hinders all wildlife, especially calves and fawns, from following historic migration corridors and may force a dangerous crossing of lower elevation roadways. Rocky Mountain Elk […]
Holistic Management at Work
Holistic management uses a long term planning process that assigns to environmental and social outcomes the same importance as profits. In addition to being particularly suited to the deserts of far-West Texas, its grazing and […]
The Story of Meat
Public demand for healthy, tasty food produced in a manner that respects nature is the driving force behind the growing acceptance of holistic agriculture. This 20-minute video discusses how sustainably managed livestock can help restore damaged […]
Desert Permaculture: Using a Stock Tank for Irrigation
Stock tanks can be easily and cheaply modified to serve the additional purpose of restoring grasslands for cattle and wildlife. NOTE: this post was originally published on April 24, 2017, and then […]
Miracle in the Nevada Desert
Beaver and cattle are symbiotic. Together they can turn desert into wetlands. NOTE: this post was originally published on April 19, 2017, and then reposted on September 9, 2021
Yellowstone National Park Calls for More Bison in New Plan
The essential element for wild bison restoration is to address brucellosis. This plan – to have more bison and then kill more bison – tinkers around the edges without fundamentally addressing the problem.
Trees Are Spreading Across the Great Plains. They’re Actually Making Climate Change Worse
According to the researchers quoted in the article below, “…adding trees is negative for the climate in most temperate grasslands, savannas and shrublands globally.” The primary cause of tree and brush invasion is that […]
Study: Bison Herd Removes More Carbon Than World’s Largest CO2 Capture Plant
As discussed below, the grazing of wild animal herds can be cheaper, faster, and more effective at reducing atmospheric carbon than any high tech method. A primary purpose of the holistic planned grazing of cattle […]
Why is Regenerative Agriculture Important?
Learn more about regenerative agriculture, and our focus on land management which provides rich soil and grass for cows to consume on their pastures.
Horse Roundups! Can They be Stopped With ‘Fertility Control’?
“Using wild horses to help wildlife and habitat.
Soil for Water
Learn more about NCAT’s Soil for Water project, working to capture and hold more water in the soil. “Your soil health is going to keep you in business. If you take care of your soil, […]
Grazing Forested Rangelands
“An excellent discussion of why, how, when and where to graze Canadian forests.