Dr. Allan Savory Holistic Management Abe Collins Carbon Farmers of America Joel Salatin Mob grazing & Chicken tractor Greg Judy Grass-fed beef Gary Zimmer Biological Agriculture Crops plant successions & services biodiversity & polycultures plant & insect communities : land improvement by grazing Livestock Soil Carbon Coalition long-term, rapid rotations of crops & livestock Rotations Climate Change Confronting To advance the practice put the carbon back where it belongs to turn atmospheric carbon into soil organic matter and engage people in opportunities Grass-fed beef is better for people and land. Feeding cattle grass throughout their life is the most sustainable way to raise beef. weed & pest control home-grown fertility UK National Trust This is contrary to belief livestock farming must intensify to feed increasing population. Debate on climate change & food often calls for reduced meat eating and plant-based diet, but overlooks the fact many grasslands are unsuitable for continuous cropping. Grasslands support many ecosystem services: watersheds, wildlife, biodiversity, carbon capture, weather, etc. Grazing livestock can contribute to grassland maintenance to turn grass into human food. : carbon storage by plant biomass

Reversing desertification is a global warming mitigation strategy because carbon is stored in stable, long-lasting organic matter in soil Karoo Region of South Africa Holistic Planned Grazing average rainfall: 23 cm/year Conversion of semi-desert to healthy savanna = carbon capture of 25 to 60 t C/ha Climate Change Confronting higher stocking densities tightly packed herds frequent movements well-planned rotations no technology, irrigation, or fertilizer mimic behavior of natural herds with predators Conventional Continuous Grazing Improvement in soil and vegetation restores water tables quickens desertification Vegetation cover contributes to evaporative cooling long-term, rapid rotations of crops & livestock Rotations PHOTO: Kroon Family

Karoo Region of South Africa average rainfall: 23 cm/year Holistic Planned Grazing higher stocking densities tightly packed herds frequent movements well-planned rotations no technology, irrigation, or fertilizer mimic behavior of natural herds with predators Conventional Continuous Grazing quickens desertification long-term, rapid rotations of crops & livestock Photos: ACHM, Seth Itzkan Barren land eroding for decades transformed to healthy grassland savanna Zimbabwe average rainfall: 60 cm/year heavy concentration of 500 cattle corralled on site 7 to 10 evenings left excess dung & plant litter In one year, fast-growing, short-rooted annuals start to grow (white stringy plants) Land is put in a monitored grazing plan Dense annuals provide ground cover to retain moisture & build biodiversity in soil Annuals are first-phase in restoration, but soil carbon capture is minimal After 8 years, perennials appear (taller pinkish-beige plants) Deep roots accelerate soil carbon capture Eventually, as grazing plan continues, site will be covered in perennials If 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/ha Rotations Climate Change Confronting

PHOTO: Kroon Family Karoo Region of South Africa Holistic Planned Grazing average rainfall: 23 cm/year higher stocking densities tightly packed herds frequent movements well-planned rotations no technology, irrigation, or fertilizer mimic behavior of natural herds with predators Conventional Continuous Grazing quickens desertification long-term, rapid rotations of crops & livestock PHOTOS: Guillermo Osuna Las Pilas Ranch, Coahuila, Mexico average rainfall: 50 cm/year In 25 years, barren land completely revived Looks to be more water in 1963, but runoff was captured by a man-made pond; a 1-inch rain filled the pond Restoration with Holistic Planned Grazing started in 1978 Livestock doubled; grazing by a plan to give close attention to grass health In 2003, restored land holds six times more water than depleted terrain Water is held in soil and vegetation in a state called “green water” even a 6-inch rain is all absorbed, with no standing water in the pond Pond is grown over and no longer needed, as dried-up springs flow year-round again Rotations Climate Change Confronting