Animal Development - Pitchstone Waters

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Animal Development

A collection of 118 posts

Can Sheep Save the Planet?

"Invasion Biology"

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.

King Charles: How Cattle Can Restore Habitat and Wildlife

habitat restoration

King Charles: How Cattle Can Restore Habitat and Wildlife

Prince Charles comments on Allan Savory and his integrated approach to ranching and farming, and the role ruminants for the health of grasslands.

Miracle in the Nevada Desert

"Invasion Biology"

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

beavers in West texas

"Invasion Biology"

Can Beavers Restore Far-West Texas?

Two so-called invasive species, cattle and beavers, have the power to restore desert habitats.

circle_ranch_cattle_penning_feature

Animal Development

Building Cattle Pens in Minutes

Considering the difference in populations, the Aussies are way ahead of the US in their cattle practices. Neil Dennis 41 seconds from Peter Byck on Vimeo. NOTE: this post was originally published on December 2, 2016, and also reposted on July 15, 2021.

Biodiversity and Holistic Management

"Invasion Biology"

Biodiversity and Holistic Management

These excellent thoughts on the importance of biodiversity apply to wildlife as well as agriculture. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on November 20, 2016. And reposted again on July 1, 2021

Small Pasture Management for Cattle

Animal Development

Small Pasture Management for Cattle

This video is about Utah Cattleman Darrell Yardley, who attended an NRCS (National Resource Conservation Service) pasture management school and instituted a rotational grazing system on 23 acres. As he explains, this has produced more forage for his cattle. In the West, the stocking questions usually are “how many mother

Black Bears Are Turning Red?

American black bears

Western Black Bears Are Turning Cinnamon?

“Black bears are evolving, as explained below. NOTE: this article was originally published to LiveScience.com on December 16, 2022. It was written by Jennifer Nalewicki. For the past 9,000 years, American black bears have slowly been turning red due to a genetic variant. Some American black bears have

bison_yellowstone_park

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Bison at the American Prairie Reserve

Buffalo were the keystone grazing animals of the American Great Plains. At the American Prairie Reserve in Northeastern Montana, the plan is to recreate the world’s largest bison herd. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 23, 2018

Grand Teton Cull Ends With 58 Mt. Goats Killed, Primarily in Park’s North End

"Invasion Biology"

Grand Teton Cull Ends With 58 Mt. Goats Killed, Primarily in Park's North End

According to the article below, the National Park Service (NPS) has decided to exterminate wild mountain goats in the Teton-Yellowstone Parks because they (1) are non-native, (2) “compete” with bighorn and (3) might infect them with diseases. NPS claims to follow the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (the Model)

Allan Savory: Planned Cattle Grazing Where the Rubber Hits the Road

Animal Development

Allan Savory: Planned Cattle Grazing Where the Rubber Hits the Road

In this 45-minute video, the Dean of holistic range science – Allan Savory – discusses on-the-ground application of holistic planned grazing. West Texas and New Mexico ranchers will find many helpful insights, observations and suggestions in this wide-ranging discussion of range and wildlife practices. NOTE: this post was originally published to this

Restoring Sonoran Desert Grasslands with Cattle

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Sonoran Desert Grasslands with Cattle

The recognition of the useful role of large grazers in desert ecology grows daily. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 10, 2017

during_the_drought_peter_bycuk

Animal Development

During the Drought

In low rain areas, maintaining plant coverage through periodic planned grazing and limited mechanized soil disruption are basic principles of regenerative farming and regenerative grazing. These work wonders for cows, crops and wildlife. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on June 7, 2017

The Resistance to Holistic Wildlife Management

"Invasion Biology"

The Resistance to Holistic Wildlife Management

Across the West as well as in Texas, agencies, universities, governmental and conservation organizations resist holistic wildlife and agricultural management practices. Most Western public grazing rules make holistic grazing very difficult if not impossible In this 5-minute video, range scientist Allan Savory discusses why this is so, and how this

Animal Development

Managing for Better Habitat Works. Culling Doesn’t.

For decades now, state agencies, universities and wildlife managers have urged culling of so-called “inferior” bucks from herds in order to improve genetics and produce bigger trophies. Since the early 1970s, belief in the effectiveness of culling has become so widely-held it is now considered common “knowledge.” Small-antlered “management” bucks

Learning to Migrate

Animal Development

Learning to Migrate

Animals are much smarter than most people realize and they share enormous group knowledge. Ranchers know their old cows teach the youngsters where to find feed, water, shade and shelter from bad weather. This, and much more, is true of wildlife. Wildlife “management” often ignores individual and group intelligence of

Wyoming Game and Fish Prepares for CWD at Elk Feedgrounds

"Invasion Biology"

Wyoming Game and Fish Prepares for CWD at Elk Feedgrounds

The well-intentioned state and federal government practice of feeding elk on public lands has led to overpopulation and over-concentration of these animals. The combination of too many elk in too little space has put elk at great danger for contracting Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Since CWD appeared 40-years ago in

Yellowstone Grizzly Bears Protected After Judge Bans Hunting

Animal Development

Yellowstone Grizzly Bears Protected After Judge Bans Hunting

This well-intentioned effort harms bear restorations. NOTE: this article was originally published to USAToday.com on September 24, 2018. It was written by Trevor Hughes. The judge ruled U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials were “arbitrary and capricious” in their 2017 decision to remove the bears’ protections under the

cattle_habitat_restoration

"Invasion Biology"

The Most Powerful Tool

A very good article on using cattle to improve wildlife habitat. NOTE: this article below was published by Texas Wildlife Magazine as part of their July, 2018 issue. It was written by Steve Nelle.

Animal Development

Coffee Beans Are Good for Birds, Fancy Brew or Not

As described in this article, naturally-raised coffee tastes better. And the practices that produce better tasting coffee benefit birdlife. Few Americans realize how much better naturally raised foods taste. Or that our Industrial Agriculture with its fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, range poisons and antibiotics – besides dumbing down food quality, have

beaver_IN_WATER

"Invasion Biology"

Building Riparian Resilience Through Beaver Restoration

As this article explains, every aspect of desert ranching and conservation of wildlife is enhanced by beavers. NOTE: this article was originally posted to Seventh-Generation.org and is reposted here on CircleRanchTX.com – we do not take credit for the words / thoughts provided below. For many people around the West,

cactus_feeders_feedlot

Animal Development

At Hamburger Central, Antibiotics for Cattle that Aren’t Sick

Over 70% of antibiotics used in the US are for confinement livestock – cattle, pigs and chickens – about 75% of which pass through to humans. This is a huge health issue for consumers. And the antibiotics damage ecological systems. In addition, these meat factories are inhumane to livestock, environmentally harmful, and

Book Review... "Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter"

"Invasion Biology"

Book Review... "Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter"

A reader remarks: “Ben has woven together a holistic picture about beavers, illustrating the remarkably diverse interactions between this species’ biology and the history of the North American landscape, both geologically and culturally.” NOTE: this book, Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter is available for

"Invasion Biology"

Can Dirt Save the Earth?

This article concludes, “The essential (environmental) insight is one often overlooked when we talk about climate change: The element that threatens to smother civilization is also, in different forms, the fundamental building block of life. To prevent carbon from causing misery and destruction, perhaps we just need to change its

art_of_the_cattle_move_part_2

"Invasion Biology"

The Art Of The Cattle Move II: Grazing Plans

This beautiful video discusses the importance of the grazing plan in sustainable ranching. The authors explain, “The most important tool we use in management of the land is being able to control the amount of time that cattle graze a particular pasture. Too long in a pasture and the grass