Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture: Rotational Grazing

[gardengreentheworld]

Those four people that "disliked" suck at life. I say, Woo Woo Buck-a-roo! This is the way to farm. There is no reason to not do it this way.

[Jefferdaughter]

Not only does managed rotationa grazing mimic traditional herding practices, it replicates how grazing animals interact with the eco-system naturally. This is why it is a truly sustainable method of agriculture. Done properly, solar energy captured by plants INCREASES soil fertility every year through the natural interaction of the animals, insects, and microbes. This is how the fertility of the American plains was created.

[GreenIsOurGarden]

We have put together a site that showcases aspiring writers in sustainable agriculture. We are particulary interested in the theme of how spirituality (whatever that means to you) can inform sustainability.

You can find us at greenisourgardendotcom

[DIXZA]

the problem is that by raising cows we had to cut down forest, meat is a very luxurious meal so lets less but with the best quality!

[Jefferdaughter]

@DIXZA - Much of the US was not forested (prairie). Large portions of the forested areas, especially in the East, were 'open' forest. Buffalo grazed throughout most of the East on grasslands between wooded areas AND in between the trees. 'Deep forest' was mostly confined to steep, rough ground. Explorers/settlers rode horseback through forest. Grazing & running hogs between trees, as done traditionally, benefits the entire eco-system, including trees and timber production. No sacrafice!

[benjis007]

i wanna know how cows get all this nutrition out of the grass, but people don't eat it? I know cows have a complicated digestion system, but we could leave the poor cows alive and eat the grass ourselves it occurs to me.

[sixgunrich]

Cattle are ruminants. They have been designed to eat and digest grass. We are omnivores and cannot eat grass directly. We must eat it indirectly by drinking milk, and eating meat. Ruminants can be grazed on hilly land that would not be suitable for crop production because of topsoil loss. There are other uses for hilly land like orchards and vineyards but those can and are also grazed between vines and trees . Ruminants manure is also a very valuable fertilizer.

[benjis007]

thanks.

[felixthegato80]

@sixgunrich So whats the dee le o here cowboys- U wanna rest some land back from the Gob or what- bottom line will it hurt the land just enrich u and leave wasted run off areas or no?

[danndan6]

rotational grazing has been used for millenia. thats what shepards do.

[Jefferdaughter]

@danndan6 - Yes! Rotational grazing was used by shepherds... and cowherds, and goatherds, and swineherds. Evolved from nomadic people following the herds, as is still done in Mongolia and other parts of the world (Masi herders and their cattle, etc). Growing crops for food is either limited or impossible in Mongolia and Masi territory. Trying to grow crops where land & climate are not favorable can be very damaging to the environment.

[DairyNZ]

Look to New Zealand if you want to know about rotational grazing. Virtually all dairy farmers over here follow the same system, changing round lengths throughout the seasons to keep a balance of quality vs quantity. The Rising plate Meter, is used to monitor dry matter and paster heights, as often as weekly.

[stillpumpedfromusing]

Thanks for sharing.

[PlanetThoughts]

I love it! "We are farming the sun". Yes, grass is a CROP. These are concepts I have never heard. In any case, the animals look pretty happy, and even follow along behind the farmer (at least it looks that way). It makes sense that with this modest effort, they can get better growth and content in the grazing animals than the whole factory farm system based on arrogance of manipulating nature.

[despardo]

Great video.I hope to learn more on this type of farming.Thanks.

[hdelicious]

"Farming the Sun"...Nice, I like it. Thanks for your great video I have added it into the FOOD REVOLUTION group!

[JaniceChaos]

Great video, I just don't like the word "rotational" makes people think living things work as a clock (machine)and the don't. I like whe people say they plan the grazzing according to the paddock state, or Holistic Management of Grazing (I runned out of words...) Anyway THANKS for this video :)