Grazing - Pitchstone Waters (Page 11)

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Grazing

A collection of 309 posts

circle_ranch_bison_hudspeth_county_herald

"Invasion Biology"

Bison, Cattle, and the Shortgrass Prairie of West Texas and New Mexico

Cattle herds managed under “holistic planned grazing” can replace the animal impact of missing bison herds. As explained below, grazing by large animals is necessary for grassland health. NOTE: article originally appeared in the Hudspeth County Herald on November 6th, 2015 Though the American bison, or buffalo, is now a

Circle Ranch Game Cameras: Using Biodiversity to Restore Desert Grasslands

"Invasion Biology"

Circle Ranch Game Cameras: Using Biodiversity to Restore Desert Grasslands

Many wildlife “managers” try to eliminate most of the species pictured below to increase bighorn, or some other favored species like deer or pronghorn. Their actions harm the animals they intend to help because biodiversity is necessary for healthy wild animals and habitat. Until our practices are based on this

circle_ranch_west_texas_ram_feature

"Invasion Biology"

Animal and Plant Biodiversity Restoring Desert Habitats at Circle Ranch

A basic doctrine of wildlife “management” is that nature is under attack by thousands of “invasive” plant and animal species which “compete” with “natives” to “harm ecosystem health.” Analysis of the knowledge supporting this ideology exposes invasive species biology as pseudo-science: biological bigotry, dignified with empirically-hollow buzzwords. Efforts to eradicate

Should Washington End Agriculture Subsidies?

Should Washington End Agriculture Subsidies?

Agricultural subsidies fundamentally disrupt the economics of farming and ranching, making both unprofitable, leading to monopolies and harming the environment. Eliminating them would be the cheapest and quickest environmental & wildlife measure possible. NOTE: post originally appeared on WSJ.com July 12, 2015 The U.S. government has been protecting

"Invasion Biology"

Cows Can Save the World

I write to offer a constructive way forward in the tragic cultural genocide unfolding in America’s wonderful western ranching culture that is embedded in the nation’s culture. I do so knowing the risk of trying to help a lion by operating on a back molar in its jaw.

how Holistic Management is beginning to spread in Chihuahua.

"Invasion Biology"

Desert Grasslands Restoration: Manejo Holistico in Chihuahua - Las Damas Ranch

At Circle Ranch, holistic planned grazing of herds including the one above has been very beneficial to wildlife and habitat. Planned grazing is increasingly used in northern Chihuahua, as described below. NOTE: this post has been re-published with permission of the author and HMI – after originally appearing in HMI’s

circle-ranch-texas-cattle-herding

Livestock Management for Coexistence with Large Carnivores, Healthy Land and Productive Ranches

Experience is proving that when cattle are run in large herds they are less susceptible to predation, especially from smaller predators like coyotes and Mexican Wolves. LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT FOR COEXISTENCE WITH LARGE CARNIVORES, HEALTHY LAND AND PRODUCTIVE RANCHES A white paper by Matt Barnes, Field Director for Rangeland Stewardship Keystone

circle-ranch-video-game-cameras

Animal Development

Pronghorn, Desert Bighorn & Lambs at Circle Ranch in Spring 2015

Three short videos of pronghorn and bighorn taken late winter and early spring 2015. We have lots of both. Mother bighorn and last year’s lamb. Pronghorn herd gathering at water. Bighorn ewes and lamb. Circle Ranch’s recipe for abundant pronghorn and bighorn: 1. Encourage animal biodiversity. 2. Periodically,

circle_ranch_defending_beef_feature

"Invasion Biology"

Defending Beef—The Case for Sustainable Meat Production

This is the best and easiest-to-understand book about why sustainable ranching is necessary for a healthy environment. It is a must-read for every landowner, rancher, wildlife manager, conservationist, wild horse advocate, hunter, wildlifer, and consumer. Defending Beef—The Case for Sustainable Meat Production. The Manifesto of an Environmental Lawyer and

crillo-cattle-high-country-news-feature

Animal Development

Steak Wars: The Desert-Friendly Cow

This New Mexico rancher is fighting the perception that only British breeds produce great beef. By Cally Carswell, High Country News Alfredo Gonzalez manages a modest herd of 200 beef cows on the Jornada Experimental Range, near Las Cruces, New Mexico, where grass is scarce, and water scarcer. Occasionally, he

Confinement Meat Production, Not Meat Eating, Hurts the Environment

Confinement Meat Production, Not Meat Eating, Hurts the Environment

Big Agriculture’s industrial model of confinement meat production is undoubtedly damaging the environment. Cows, pigs and chickens are crowded together in unbelievable numbers and filth. They are forced to live on their own feces and urine. Their artificial diets which include chemicals, pesticides, and hormones are toxic. Then, massive

Desert Grasslands Restoration: Time Can Be a Grazier's Best Friend or Worst Enemy

Desert Grasslands Restoration: Time Can Be a Grazier's Best Friend or Worst Enemy

Whether cattle are good or bad for grasslands depends on TIME By Robert L. Kinkead, DVM, retired Originally published in Stockman Grass Farmer Photos and Video from Circle Ranch, Hudspeth County, far-West Texas HARRISBURG, Missouri: In the 1950s, a French biochemist André Voisin observed how his pastured cows grazed. He

Australia: Restoring Desert Grasslands with Holistic Planned Grazing

Australia: Restoring Desert Grasslands with Holistic Planned Grazing

Here is a major cattle venture funded by European institutional investors in the Australian outback. From the company website: Founded in 2009, SLM Partners was established to channel investment capital towards land management systems that are profitable and sustainable. Our first project focuses on beef cattle production on grazing land

circle-ranch-out-here-video-feature

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands: A Video Comparison of Cattle, Water Harvesting and Keyline as a Safer, Cheaper and Faster Alternative to Spike

Here is a well-intentioned but ill-advised project for “restoration” of desert grasslands. The Rest of The Story… BLM is spending $30 million on 500,000 acres: $60 an acre. The objective is to kill all creosote and mesquite; thereafter, the staffers propose to use fire to “maintain the landscape.” Bad

The Role of Aoudad in Restoration of High-Desert Mountain Wildlife and Habitat

"Invasion Biology"

The Role of Aoudad in Restoration of High-Desert Mountain Wildlife and Habitat

At Circle Ranch we understand that biodiversity is good, not bad, and act accordingly. In that context, here is common sense on aoudad. The Ammotragus Advantage …by Brandt Buchanan To begin, I would like to declare that the following theories have not been proven by any specific study pertaining to

Cows and Keyline: Restoring Desert Grasslands

"Invasion Biology"

Cows and Keyline: Restoring Desert Grasslands

This 17-minute video, “Cows and Keyline” discusses the use of cattle and the Yeomans Keyline plow as the quickest, cheapest, and safest way to restore desert grasslands. It also documents a project to repair a gully formed by an old road. Aerial photography provides graphic comparisons of the result of

circle-ranch-keyline-plow-feature

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands: Yeomans Keyline Subsoiling Results at the Circle Ranch, August 2014

Here is a cheap, fast, environmentally-friendly alternative to range poisoning with herbicides. When combined with holistic planned grazing of cattle, and a diverse population of wild animals, this practice leads to rapid conversion of subsoil to topsoil, increases soil fertility, improves and restores water function, and, is sustainable. Beginning in

Restoring Desert Grasslands with Livestock

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands with Livestock

Last week we posted a brief explanation of Keyline theory. This week, we share a concise explanation of holistic planned grazing, which uses animal impact to restore grasslands. By Carol Dreibelbis In this series, we interview inspiring people that our readers have nominated. These individuals are working on the front

Keyline Design Restoring Grasslands in High Deserts of Far-West Texas

Keyline Design Restoring Grasslands in High Deserts of Far-West Texas

This concise explanation of Keyline theory and practice was intended for California ranchers and farmers. We have copied it, and illustrated it with photos of Keyline practices that have been used at the Circle Ranch in far-West Texas. NOTE: Originally Published at AGWaterStewards.com Our thanks to its authors, and

Planned Grazing Restoring Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands in Mexico

"Invasion Biology"

Planned Grazing Restoring Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands in Mexico

As you travel south from far West Texas, crossing the Rio Grande, you encounter the huge grasslands of the Northern Mexico area of the Great Chihuahuan Desert. This country is very similar to the Circle Ranch, and has experienced the same degradation from human impact that we see across the

Actually Raising Beef Is Good for the Planet

"Invasion Biology"

Actually Raising Beef Is Good for the Planet

Despite environmentalists’ worries, cattle don’t guzzle water or cause hunger—and can help fight climate change. People who advocate eating less beef often argue that producing it hurts the environment. Cattle, we are told, have an outsize ecological footprint: They guzzle water, trample plants and soils, and consume precious

The Forgotten Quail Decline: Plight of the Scaled Quail

The Forgotten Quail Decline: Plight of the Scaled Quail

When it comes to the quail decline in Texas, the northern bobwhite often dominates the spotlight. Much of this focus probably is due to the long-standing tradition and relative ease of bobwhite hunting. Unfortunately, the bobwhite decline often overshadows the decline of another important quail species in Texas—the scaled

Chihuahuan Desert Grassland Restoration in Northern Mexico

Chihuahuan Desert Grassland Restoration in Northern Mexico

Much of the best ecological thinking about desert grassland restoration is coming from Northern Mexico. These folks are way ahead of Texas in their understanding of habitats and restoration practices, including the vital role played by livestock as substitutes for the missing herds of nomadic animals. Late summer, Circle Ranch,

Restoring Water Function: What is Keyline Contouring?

Erosion Control

Restoring Water Function: What is Keyline Contouring?

We are currently completing 1,000-acres of subsoiling in one of our northern pastures at the Circle Ranch. This is a very effective tool for us, when used in conjunction with planned grazing. Many people ask: * What is Yeomans Keyline? * What is Keyline Contouring? Here is how its inventor, the

Aoudad, The Bogus Boogeyman

"Invasion Biology"

Aoudad, The Bogus Boogeyman

Eradication Science or Eradication Snake Oil? This piece asks common sense questions about the increasing use of wild animal eradication as a primary conservation tool, and about the foundations on which these practices rest: Why have eradications become so prevalent? Do eradications advance conservation? Are eradications based on science or