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