#127 In Practice, SEP/OCT 2009

healthy land. sustainable future. SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009

Oh, The Places We’ll Go! 25th Anniversary Celebration by Peggy Maddox

NUMBER 127

Editor’s Note: Peggy Maddox adapted Dr. Suess’ Oh, The Places You’ll Go for her presentation to Allan Savory and Jody Butterfield in Abilene in March 2009 as part of HMI’s 25th Anniversary Celebration.

We had brains in our heads We had concern in our hearts But we just couldn’t know what we didn’t know Until Allan Savory began to impart

Our holisticgoal has been formed! Now we can choose any road to go down Test the action and, if it comes ‘round To pass all questions, then it’s sound.

Key # 1 Brought in something entirely new Brittle and non-brittle A new way for environments to be viewed.

But monitor, monitor So you are forewarned. Control, replan, And new action takes form.

Key #2 was animals By predators pursued Will brittle lands Renew.

But out there things can happen And frequently do To people as brainy and knowledgeable As me and you.

WWW.HOLISTICMANAGEMENT.ORG

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

SHEEP & VINEYARDS

Adding sheep to a vineyard can provide additional profit, improve soil fertility, and reduce tractor usage. LEARN HOW KELLY MULVILLE IS INTEGRATING LIVESTOCK AND VITICULTURE ON PAGE 9.

FEATURE STORIES Achieving 50 Percent Planned Profit— Even on a Horse Farm

Key #3 had been there for all to see So Savory turned to Voison’s line And learned that grazing and overgrazing Had to do with time.

We will struggle And it will hurt. Because sometimes we’ll feel We’ve been left in the lurch.

Key #4 – the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The whole is all that is real. The world is not a machine That you pick apart to heal.

We’ll come down from the lurch With an unpleasant bump. And chances are, then, That’ll we’ll be in a slump.

ELIZABETH MARKS WITH LILLY BECKER . . . . . . . .3

Closing the Gap between Research and Practice FRANK ARAGONA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Beefing Up the Palouse— Cattle Grazing As an Alternative To CRP DOUG WARNOCK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

The Art of Holistic Management— Putting It All Together BETHANY LAYPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Small Acreage Grazing on the Rocks PEGGY COLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

LAND and LIVESTOCK Now we’re on our own And we know what we know And Holistic Management decision making Guides us where to go. We check into our values. Looking them over with care. Choose what life is to be And what to produce to get there. With our heads full of dreams Of a world without despair Ecosystems, people, communities With a future to share.

Grazing Sheep in Vineyards KELLY MULVILLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Holistic Management Increases Winter Stockpiling and Profit GREG JUDY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Deep Land Massage Profit—Do the Math ANN ADAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Achieving Balance—Soil Bacteria: Fungi Ratio PHILLIP DIPROSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

NEWS and NETWORK PBS Documentary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Annual Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Reader’s Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Certified Educators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

healthy land. sustainable future.

Holistic Management International works to reverse the degradation of private and communal land used for agriculture and conservation, restore its health and productivity, and help create sustainable and viable livelihoods for the people who depend on it. FOUNDERS Allan Savory

Jody Butterfield

STAFF Peter Holter, Chief Executive Officer Tracy Favre, Senior Director/ Contract Services Jutta von Gontard, Senior Director / Philanthropy Kelly Bee, Chief Financial Officer Ann Adams, Managing Editor, IN PRACTICE and Director of Educational Products and Outreach Maryann West, Manager of Administration and Executive Support Donna Torrez, Customer Service Manager Mary Girsch-Bock, Educational Products & Outreach Assistant Valerie Gonzales, Administrative Assistant

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ben Bartlett, Chair Ron Chapman, Past Chair Roby Wallace, Vice-Chair Gail Hammack, Secretary Christopher Peck, Treasurer Sallie Calhoun Mark Gardner John Hackley Jim McMullan Ian Mitchell Innes Jim Parker Dennis Wobeser Jesus Almeida Valdez

ADVISORY COUNCIL Robert Anderson, Corrales, NM Michael Bowman,Wray, CO Sam Brown, Austin, TX Lee Dueringer, Scottsdale, AZ Gretel Ehrlich, Gaviota, CA Dr. Cynthia O. Harris, Albuquerque, NM Leo O. Harris, Albuquerque, NM Edward Jackson, San Carlos, CA Clint Josey, Dallas, TX Doug McDaniel, Lostine, OR Guillermo Osuna, Coahuila, Mexico Soren Peters, Santa Fe, NM Jim Shelton, Vinita, OK York Schueller, Ventura, CA Africa Centre for Holistic Management Tel: (263) (11) 404 979 hmatanga@mweb.co.zw Huggins Matanga, Director The David West Station for Holistic Management Tel: 325/392-2292 • Cel: 325/226-3042 westgift@hughes.net Joe & Peggy Maddox, Ranch Managers HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT IN PRACTICE (ISSN: 1098-8157) is published six times a year by Holistic Management International, 1010 Tijeras NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, 505/842-5252, fax: 505/843-7900; email: hmi@holisticmanagement.org.; website: www.holisticmanagement.org Copyright © 2009

IN PRACTICE

Oh, The Places We’ll Go!

continued from page one

And when we’re in a slump, We’re not in for much fun. Unslumping ourselves Is not easily done.

We will never forget To be dexterous and deft. And we’ll never mix up Our right foot with our left.

But we won’t worry, We won’t stew. We’ll just go right along And start happening too.

And will we succeed! Yes! We will indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

Oh! The Places We’ll Go!

We’ll be on our way up! We’ll be seeing great sights. We’ll join the high flyers Who soar to high heights.

Waiting for water to flow Grass to grow Capped soil to break Less silt in lakes

We’ll go right where we planned Because we have our holisticgoal in our hand.

We have been given the tools, All there are And all we’ll ever need. Money and labor, Rest and create-vi-ty

Waiting for families to heal Loans paid off Government policy that makes sense

So, you, Jody and Allan took the lead, And then HMI came along to meet the ever growing need. And people around the world Have been inspired by your Life’s work.

Technology, living organisms, Grazing, fire and herd effect too. How to use them depends on us, Our holisticgoal, plus…

Waiting for communities revitalized Biodiversity loss stopped Time when less is more And hope is restored. Oh! The Places We’ll Go!

Changing the effects Of tools in hand Is the scale of brittleness Of the land.

So on we will go Though our enemies prowl. On we will go Though all our critics cry foul.

So test each action And results can be foretold.

Onward up many a frightening road Even when we have to carry more than our load.

With the new knowledge, we’ll pass the whole gang. And we’ll soon take the lead. But we look behind and no one seems to follow So it’s a lonely road we’re on, when no one else seems to see the need. We’ll continue on to plan each detail Whether it’s dollars, grass, cattle, time, or nails. Results are our prize Planning is worth the wait –

September / October 2009

On and on we will hike. And we know we must hike far And face up to the world’s problems Whatever they are.

Spread the word, spread the word! After 25 years Can it be possible that not all have heard? So, there is work to be done. There are points to be scored. There are minds to be won. Oh, The Places We’ll Go! Now listen, listen, Holistic Management words ring true There is power in them When your heart shines through. The land is begging!

We’ll get mixed up, of course, As we already know. We’ll get mixed up With many strange birds as we go.

So as you, Allan & Jody, make your transition, You have nothing to fear. Your message is strong. Your work will continue to grow,

We must be sure when we step Step with care and great tact And remember that life’s A great balancing act.

Because Holistic Management has more places to go!

Achieving 50 Percent Planned Profit— Even on a Horse Farm by Elizabeth Marks with Lilly Becker

ecently, I was having dinner with a friend from a horseback riding club I belong to. Lilly Becker runs a successful lesson and training program in a rural part of upstate New York. I was surprised to learn that despite the downturn in the economy and the fact that she only works 10 months out of the year, she is able to support herself and 11 horses. I had just come back from a week of Holistic Management® Financial Planning training taught by Ann Adams, Phil Metzger, and Erica Frenay as part of a Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant. I began sharing what I had learned at the training and found that much of what Lilly does mirrors what I had just learned. I told her about the concept of setting aside 50 percent planned profit. Many people feel that 50 percent profit is impossible to achieve, yet Lilly comes close to that. I asked her how she did it.

Using Resources Effectively Lilly said, “For me, it’s about the basic principles of any successful business: set reachable financial goals, don't spend more then you make, only buy what you need, not what you want, and track your expenses. I own 11 school horses and track expenses and income for each one individually. I expect that each horse earn 50 percent more income than its expenses. For example, every time I put a bag of shavings in a stall I note for which horse. I can monitor how much each horse costs and what they earn. If a horse continuously needs extra veterinary care, requires huge amounts of supplementation or feed, or is unpopular with my riders and doesn’t get used, I work immediately to fix the problem. Some solutions are to sell the horse or partial lease them to a suitable rider, re-evaluate nutrition and turnout needs, and practice preventative medicine and care. “I also work hard to keep expenses low. Sometimes all it takes is a little creativity to achieve that. For example, I save labor, veterinary, and bedding costs by having my horses turned out all the time. They have shelters in their pastures and get blanketed in bad weather. I do bring them in the barn twice a day to eat and so I can check them over for injuries. I have trained them to go from the pasture to their stalls by themselves. It takes about three weeks of initial training when a new horse comes, but it is worth it.

adults but are safe enough for kids. Many of my horses have originally come from ranches out West. In my experience these horses tend to be healthier, better mannered, less spooky, and stronger then horses from the East coast. “I never look for a “pretty horse,” rather one that has thick skin and coat, kind eyes, and is older then 15. Horses that have strong teeth, are barefoot, have show experience and that have lived outside are a plus. My horses are easy keepers that like being turned out in a herd. “I never acquire a school horse that has a specific specialty. To me this means “watch out” because there is a chance they may have an injury waiting to appear. They are like us: if you only run on the treadmill for exercise you will eventually get shin splints. All of the horses I take must be able to jump at some level, work safely on the flat, lunge, and be able to safely go on a trail ride.” Because Lilly is careful about her selection of horses, she can keep them for a long time. “People joke that my entire herd is a retirement home!” Lilly says. “I believe all horses are good for something, including older ones. When my horses get old they transition into different jobs. They can be used for relaxing trail rides and lessons to beginners on the lead line or work in a

The Right Kind of Horse A key strategy for keeping expenses down for Lilly is picking the right kind of animal from the beginning. Livestock are like employees—you have to be clear about what you need and why. Lilly says, “I search for horses that can easily carry

therapeutic lesson program where they are ridden at the walk. I was taught ‘never to throw animals away’ by my parents at a young age. Most of my lesson horses are in their late 20s or early 30s. Keeping older horses active helps them stay limber and healthy, secure mentally, and cuts back on veterinary costs. There does come a time when a horse can no longer be involved in the program and this is when they become a danger to themselves or clients. However, I try not to retire horses until I feel they are at the end of their life.”

Low Cost Naturally Lilly’s selection and care of animals helps her make a profit on each animal, but she also keeps her maintenance costs down by having surprisingly little infrastructure on the farm, such as no running water in the barn and no indoor riding arena. Lilly notes that not only does that help with maintenance costs but it also keeps the horses in a more natural environment. “I find that the more you can allow a horse to be a horse, the healthier and saner they are,” says Lilly. “Also, a natural environment really cuts maintenance and utility costs. My horses are not spoiled and must do things themselves such as drink water from a pond. They ride in an outdoor arena all year round which allows them the proper exposure to different sights and sounds and prevents them from becoming ‘spooky.’ Plus, they do not inhale dangerous dust or feel trapped in a box. This saves on vet expenses. I exercise and teach lessons in a combined training method which also cuts down on injury and horses becoming ring sour. All of my horses have tasks they enjoy, but they never do the same type of lesson in a row. On any given day they could be doing dressage, trail riding, jumping, swimming with a rider, wearing a costume, round penning, or doing a lead line lesson. They are never bored.”

Business Reputation Although Lilly is only 25 she has been generating income from horses for the past 13 years. She still even has some of the same students from when she started. She’s never needed to advertise because reputation is the key. “People want an honest person who understands them and will work to achieve their goals,” says Lilly. “If my clients are having a bad day, I’ll do something fun with them or take them on a trail ride. They like to know you aren’t just an instructor but also a friend. “Advertising is much more effective via word of mouth, especially when most of your clients are children. Moms and Dads discuss things at the playground, parties, fairs, etc. and children talk to

Elizabeth Marks and Lilly Becker

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Number 127

IN PRACTICE

Closing the Gap Between Research and Practice

Achieving 50 Percent Planned Profit continued from page three each other at school, play dates, and more. They tell friends and relatives. If you are a knowledgeable instructor and make learning fun, provide safe lesson horses, are honest with your clients, and get to know every individual rider personally . . . they will never leave. “In the past few years, I have moved from primarily teaching children toward opening my business up to riders of all ages. I have adults, especially men, who find it more therapeutic to take a trail ride with me than to visit their therapist’s office.” Lilly’s main planned financial investment at this point is fencing more pastures so she can improve her grazing management and capture more solar dollars. This will be a way for her to cut costs and to ensure that her horses are getting good nutrition from grass. After we discussed the concept of setting money aside for depreciation costs, she decided she also wanted to start setting money aside for that as well as other investments like a new tractor, horse trailer, truck and more school horses as well as retirement. Talking with Lilly reinforced for me that creating profit can be done by anyone, if the attitude is there. Given the severe economic downturn and the challenges of making a living on a horse farm even in good times, it amazes me that Lilly can make a profit, let alone a 50 percent profit. Her success at achieving her financial goals makes me even more determined to achieve mine. I learned a lot from the Holistic Management® Financial Planning class. In fact, it was a life-transforming experience. I don’t know if I would have had the conversation with Lilly that I had if I hadn’t attended that class and begun to think about profit and what that means for me as someone with a salary. Ultimately, whether you use that profit to increase net worth or quality of life, profit provides greater opportunity for moving toward your holisticgoal. Elizabeth Marks works as the Hudson Mohawk Resource Conservation and Development Coordinator with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Ghent, New York. Lilly Becker is the owner/ president of Skyfarm.net which operates out of Sky Farm, a lesson and horse training business in Copake, New York. 4

IN PRACTICE

by Frank Aragona

he gap between research and practice is both notable and of critical concern for those of us involved in agriculture, conservation, and agricultural and environmental education. This gap is notable because so many innovative practitioners have expressed their frustration about it, and critical because it will be important to close this gap in the coming years to build the momentum that needs to be built.

scientific achievement, the statistical tools of biological science are rather crude and unsophisticated in the face of natural complexity. For hundreds of years, science has been about the isolation of specific variables: What is the effect that x has on y? This is not to say that scientists aren’t interested in describing the complexity inherent in natural systems, but the variability in nature is too great for most statistical tools. Research design is an attempt to

Research design is an attempt to limit confounding variables, while innovation is often about maximizing complexity. The gap between research and practice exists for many reasons. Innovators are a demographic unto themselves, always trying new things, quick to pick up on what works and equally quick to discard what doesn’t. In ranching and agriculture, the innovative practitioners are keen observers of the most relevant signals, from the behavior of insects to changes in plant phenology. The innovator is able to discover a path forward by listening to the senses and trusting intuition. This ability has led to great advances in our collective knowledge and understanding, not only of how nature works, but also how we can be more effective stewards of our natural resources. Grass farmers like Gene Goven have met with great success by applying a “cocktail mix” of cover crops to loosen hard pan soils and build organic matter. Colin Seis and his colleagues in Australia have developed a pasture cropping system with extremely promising applications. Integrators like Abe Collins have built a comprehensive land management toolkit using a variety of practices, including GIS, keyline plows, and animal impact. Implicit in all of this is the tremendous complexity of the ecosystems under management. Cocktail cover crops and pasture cropping are successful, in part at least, because they mimic and capitalize on natural complexity. Most research, on the other hand, is simple by design. Despite our cultural worship of

September / October 2009

limit confounding variables, while innovation is often about maximizing complexity. The research process is also a part of the problem. Many years can pass from the time a study is conceived, funded, conducted, writtenup, peer-reviewed and finally published. By that time, the perspective of the innovator has shifted with changing conditions: markets collapse, one species gives way to another, insect outbreaks occur, wildfire runs rampant through part of the ranch…life goes on. These structural obstacles will not be overcome easily, but it is my belief that engagement and communication are an important first step. Researchers must engage practitioners and vice versa. More important is the need for open and ongoing dialog between the two communities. Finally, research design should reflect management at its best. If an operation is managed holistically, then the research too should be conducted holistically. By incorporating concepts and principles from different disciplines, including economics, biology, and anthropology, perhaps we can get a broader, more inclusive view of what really is happening on the landscape as humans react and interact with nature. To learn more about HMI’s Data & Documentation efforts, contact Frank at: frank@agroinnovations.com.

Beefing Up the Palouse— Cattle Grazing As An Alternative To CRP by Doug Warnock

ncredible, revolutionary, and important are terms that have been used to describe a study that evaluates the feasibility of converting Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land over to grazing by beef cattle. This praise for the project comes from John Reganold, renowned Washington State University (WSU) Soil Scientist, and Chad Kruger, Interim Director of the Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources at WSU. Progress reports indicate that financial returns from grazing beef cattle are competitive with the average governmental payments for keeping land in the Palouse Area of eastern Washington in the CRP Program.

Study Results Results to date have shown that the yearling cattle gained about two pounds per head per day while grazing for 100 days on the study area. The economic return on grazing was $45/acre ($113/ha), which compares favorably with the CRP payments of $53/acre ($132/ha). As this practice becomes more fine-tuned, the financial returns may be increased. In addition, the land will be receiving biological returns from the improved ecosystem health that results from the planned grazing.

The project, called “Beefing Up The Palouse,” was begun in 2008 with the intent of finding a “management program that will equal or better what CRP payments bring to land owners in the wheat producing area of eastern Washington,” said Don Nelson, WSU Extension Beef Specialist and project director. “The ultimate goal is to move the management toward sustainability,” he added. It is funded by Washington Governor Gregoire’s Agricultural Pilots Program, which is aimed at promoting profitability for agricultural producers while restoring or enhancing natural resources and rural landscapes. Why is this project incredible, revolutionary and so important? “Because it demonstrates every component of sustainable agriculture, the environmental, economic and social aspects,” says Maurice Robinette, Co-Manager of the project. “The land is being managed holistically and the project is attracting the interest of both agricultural producers and the environmental community,” he added.

Grazing As an Alternative The CRP alternative study is being conducted on G & L Farms near Benge, Washington that is owned by Gregg Beckley.

Soil capping, plant pedestalling and erosion from too much rest on CRP land.

It could provide landowners with a viable alternative to leaving farmland in CRP. The initial advantage of taking land out of grain production and covering the soil with perennial grasses has long passed. It initially reduced soil and water erosion. However, over time the grass stand has been degraded from invasion of weeds and the development of a heavy thatch of old grass material that is not effectively decomposing for Left to right: Gregg Beckley (owner of G&L Farms), integration into the soil. The thatch Don Nelson, Maurice Robinette and Terry Gompert. and ineffective decomposition process reduces the effectiveness of the ecosystem processes and generally reduces A Sustainable Approach ecosystem health. A monitoring program is being conducted that Soils and the plant communities they support assesses the ongoing ecological impacts of are at their best when there are healthy, vigorous grazing. Four permanent observation sites were perennial plants growing and being harvested at established using the Land EKG monitoring the proper intervals and in proper amounts by system. Over twenty ecological factors were grazing animals. The cycling of plant and animal quantified prior to grazing and will serve as a material into the soil baseline from which to measure any changes that through the proper grazing occur over time. In addition, soil sampling is by livestock, supports and being done to assess the project’s carbon footprint stimulates microorganism and measure potential carbon sequestration from activity and makes for a this management. Other benefits from this type of healthy, more vital management are that soil erosion is being ecosystem. reduced, air quality is improved, and wildlife Taking land out of grain habitat is enhanced. In addition, this approach production and putting it requires much less use of fossil fuels. into CRP did provide a way The project utilizes a holistic approach in the for farmers to receive a production of natural grass-fed beef. It implements more stable income, adaptive management, in that decisions on the but it had a negative effect practices that are applied are based on information Oxidized bunchgrass on the nearby farm from the monitoring. The aim is to select practices plants on CRP that lead to a healthy ecosystem, while creating a (rested) land showing communities. The loss of farm activity reduced profit for the manager. signs of overrest the economic activity in Doug Warnock is a Certified Educator those communities and who lives in College Place, Washington. resulted in less local He can be reached at: dwarnock@charter.net business being conducted or 509/540-5771. and fewer jobs available. Number 127

IN PRACTICE

The Art of Holistic Management— Putting It All Together by Bethany Layport

hen we first began this journey, most of us had no idea what Holistic Management was. It was a class we took like any other, a checkmark on our graduation evaluation. For me, at least, I was curious about Holistic Management, but didn't really have a clear understanding of what it involved. I did look forward to learning more though, and so spent the quarter attempting to absorb a completely different outlook on life and management. Towards the end of the quarter, the words "project" and "process" began to arise more often. And the more I heard them, the more I thought about what they actually mean.

Process & Relationships The word “process” resonated strongly with me. As an artist, I am accustomed to the concept of process. Developing my eye, my ability to see line, shadow, and color, is a continuous process. It's not something I do once and never revisit again. I can draw the same thing a hundred times, and each time, it's different. Each time, I see something different; a line comes into focus that hadn't been there previously; a hidden shadow makes itself known; I become aware of a new color. The more times I draw something, the more that thing becomes a part of me—it goes into my hand, my fingers, my mind. My muscles (cells, even!) absorb that thing until it is fully in me, and I in it. The same is happening for me with this class. The first time a concept was introduced, it felt foreign, and I didn't know how to handle it. For example, the first time we learned about a holisticgoal, I didn't quite know what to do with it. I had made goals before, planned, worked towards them, and successfully accomplished them. This, however, felt odd. It was a different way of looking at life: actively identifying the quality of life you want (What would you live for?), identifying how this would be accomplished, and determining a future resource base. With repetition, however, it has begun incorporating itself in my mind. The more times I grapple with it, the more I see and understand. Nuances I previously overlooked come more readily to mind, and I feel like it is more fully in me than before. The exciting fact, though, is that it will continue to morph as I do, and I will continue to absorb these concepts more. The creation of a holisticgoal isn't a project, it's not something you do once and then are done with forever. Instead, it is a process that develops over time. Your holisticgoal is something you continuously revisit. It morphs and develops as you yourself (or in this case, as I) develop. Such a goal isn't static; 6

IN PRACTICE

instead, it is a beautiful reflection of who you are and what you want to be.

Holisticgoal = Bullseye The same goes for every other aspect of Holistic Management. Rather than revisiting the individual points of each “part” (or in this case, whole), I rather want to focus on the relationships between all aspects. The fundamental concept here is illustrated best by the bullseye. The central circle, the holisticgoal, is the foundation of Holistic Management, the basis for all actions. Every decision, every action is implemented to bring us closer to fulfilling this. The next circle, ecosystem processes, is essential to the holisticgoal. These processes deal with the living systems, and look in depth at not just how they cycle, but what they actually do in each stage of a cycle. For example, water cycles everywhere, but the actual process of water in soil involves the ingestion of water by microbes, the excretion thereof, the uptake of water in roots, etc. Directly connected to this cycle are the minerals that cycle with the water, moving through the microbes, the plants, and any other organisms present in the soil. The desire for effective ecosystem processes is often incorporated in the quality of life statement, and is completely essential to the development of the future resource base. I find the term “ecosystem process” quite interesting. It indicates a progression of actions, rather than one single event, and perpetuates my belief that every whole within Holistic Management is essentially a process. The next ring out, tools, include any and all means by which you (or I) could manipulate the effectiveness of the ecosystem processes in such a way as to move you towards your holisticgoal. Understanding what tools to use involves a process of developing human creativity and careful monitoring. While no tool is specifically bad, some work more effectively than others when manipulating ecosystem processes in a

September / October 2009

given area, especially depending on where the area lies on the brittleness scale. Monitoring allows us to assess whether or not the tool being used is carrying us towards the quality of life we desire—or away from it. While money and human creativity are considered tools, they are unique in that they really only work in conjunction with other tools. The introduction of living organisms as a tool is also unusual in that this is the only tool that becomes a part of the ecosystem—and so incorporates into the community dynamics of that ecosystem. Decision testing is a critical process in Holistic Management. Once again, the key here is that each decision tested is assessed relative to its impact on your quality of life and future resource base. The decisions are assessed for other things, too, but essentially lead back to bringing you towards your holisticgoal (notice a pattern?). The decision testing questions allow you to effectively use the tools we have available to manipulate the ecosystem processes to further us in our pursuit of our holisticgoal. In direct connection with the testing questions, the management guidelines enable us to mobilize all the information we have—from our formal education, personal experience, books read, research, and any other valuable information we may acquire—and apply it when testing decisions. One of my favorite aspects of holistic managing is monitoring. The fact that we consciously make decisions to bring us towards our holisticgoal, and then keep track of them, assess their success, and evaluate them. I love that there is room for change, the ability to go a different direction, admit that something isn't working. So often in conventional management, we don't want to admit that something isn't working. In holistic monitoring, we can admit when something isn't going well, and try something else without judging the tool as “good” or “bad.”

A Way of Life I realize that I do not fully understand Holistic Management now, nor is it fully in me. However, my understanding is actively growing, and I fully enjoy the process. I have observed my own outlook changing. When the class first began, we would learn a concept, attempt to understand it, and dismiss it. Slowly, though, the concepts began to seep into me and incorporate themselves in my thought processes. Instead of just looking at an area and say, “oh, how pretty,” I began looking for perennial grasses and signs of biodiversity. Next, I found myself considering how brittle a given area might be. Now, I constantly notice bare ground, erosion,

check for the presence of plant litter, or signs of effective ecosystem processes. When it rains, my first thought is wondering where each raindrop falls, where it lands, and what happens to it after. I can see myself beginning to apply Holistic Management to my life, my decisions, and am starting to genuinely see my life through my holisticgoal. Even through this, I can see there are things I need to change in my holisticgoal. I like this concept of process. It allows for error, but also allows for growth. It also acknowledges that Holistic Management isn't a project that you do once, and then it just goes away. Instead, it is a critical processâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a way of life, even. When you truly embrace the concepts of Holistic Management, you realize that these concepts become a part of you, saturating your

considerations for everything. Holistic Management is not just about managing a piece of land, it's about truly seeing the world from a different angle. Holistic Management, too, is a process. It is not something you can simply learn about, be exposed to, and be done with. Paradigms are often so deeply held that they take an incredible act of dynamic will to overthrow. Because of this, Holistic Management isn't something embraced instantaneously. It is instead a process of experimentation, experience, compassion, and open-mindedness. It allows for a unique expression of human creativity, and rather than judging ideas, allows each person to find his or her path or way, bringing the desired quality of life ever closer. Relationships. Processes. The two work

together in an intricate dance. To truly manage holistically, the dance continues on a broader level: one by which economics, social justice, and ecology commune. Balance must exist between the three for true, sustainable success. Holistic Management involves an awareness that each decision made, or each change in an environment, broadly affects all other variables in that environment. It then aims to support decisions that are sustainable economically, socially, and environmentally. Bethany Layport participated in a Holistic Management class taught by Rob Rutherford at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California.

Number 127

IN PRACTICE

Small Acreage Grazing on the Rocks by Peggy Cole

ince buying my little paradise of rocky hill country land in 2005, I have been struggling with finding a way to graze three horses on 15 acres without compromising my quality of life, which includes their quality of life, and without damaging the vibrant diversity of grasses that attracted me to this land in the first place.

Many people from HMI Texas helped me in the fall of 2005 to learn land planning on my new place. It was a big field day with indoor talks, a hayride after lunch and teams of land planners learning and offering advice. I have taken much of that advice to heart and am systematically working through the land plan. The little cabin is complete and now home to someone who also loves this place and helps me afford it. But the grazing has proved to be the biggest puzzle. The first year I created small electric paddocks that needed weekly moving. Being a one-woman operation and having a very full time job, I found I was either leaving the paddock in place longer than I wished or just not using it since I had to halter and lead horses into it each morning after they had their grain in their stalls.

in. I had to haul water every day by hand. That got old in a hurry. So I adopted a practice of fencing them out of what they had just grazed. I took advantage of their need to be close to home (just in case anyone showed up with a bucket of grain or a nice, fresh carrot) by systematically fencing them out of the area closest to the barn, then a bit more of that area, then a bit more. Hauling water being no longer an option by virtue of the quality of life clause, I created a channel between fences that always led back to the barn. No matter how far down that channel they had to go for the allowed grazing, they could always bolt back to the barn for water and the comfort of loafing in the shed. By this method I was able to just open the

Little by little I have created brush-free paths for the rope fencing and my paddocks are beginning so show real benefit from the grazing (and the subsequent rain). Now these are not ranch horses, but pampered pets who would live in the house with me if we could all find a way. I found that when the paddock moved too far from the house, the horses paced and whinnied and got upset enough for some mild colic to set

barn gate and not worry about their needs for the day. They could romp and graze and hang out in the barn. The grass could be protected when it was time for them to move on. My quality of life includes enjoying the look of a natural, healthy landscape without a lot of Peggy has learned to fence her horses out of areas they have already grazed to reduce overgrazing and create a lane to her barn so she doesn't have to haul water to the horses. This technique allows her to have the quality of life she wants while improving land health.

IN PRACTICE

September / October 2009

Using simple bits of rope to tie the hot wire to a tree, Peggy can minimize the amount of step in posts she has to put up in rocky area. fences, so I use the portable, step-in posts. Much of this land is solid rock and the posts wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t step in. Debbie Davis taught me to step the post into the roots of a bunch of little bluestem. This works pretty well with the pigtail type posts with their double pin step and sturdy construction, but they are for single strand only. I have learned to use the trees as the really sturdy fence posts, and the step in posts as sag prevention between trees. I started by getting the wood post insulators and nailing or screwing them into the trees. Now I use simple bits of rope to tie the electric rope to the trees in a way that it never touches the tree and so is not affected by the water in the tree. To do this I must zig and zag so the pull is always away from the tree. I tie a simple shoe bow so that when the time comes to move the fence, I can untie the rope with one hand. I use the multiple strand step-in posts to create individual â&#x20AC;&#x153;stallsâ&#x20AC;? out of rope so when we are eating in the field, each can eat at his own pace without fear of bullying, while I sit for my meditation. Little by little I have created brush-free paths for the rope fencing and my paddocks are beginning so show real benefit from the grazing (and the subsequent rain). Learning is a process that never stops. I am thrilled to find a way to put horses and land together in a way that pleases all of us. Peggy Cole lives near Weatherford, Texas and can be reached at: pcole@hmitexas.org

& Grazing Sheep in Vineyards by Kelly Mulville

ood fortune (or perhaps simply a preference for beer over wine in my younger years) resulted in my learning and practicing Holistic Management before I became captivated by the world of wine growing. Although I had studied ecological horticulture in California, it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t until a decade later, and back home in the Southwest, that I developed a strong appreciation for wineâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;which naturally led to a desire to grow grapes. Coming at grape growing with a cerebral hangover from trying to grapple with holism and a formidable amount of ignorance encouraged a little different perspective in my farming approach. Admittedly, a bit of geographical isolation from the major wine growing regions, as the first vineyard I designed and managed was in Southeast Arizona, also played a role, for better or worse, in my learning and methodology. The memory of my first pilgrimage to California wine country ten years ago is still vivid. Coming out of the drought-plagued Southwest, I was nearly

as awe-inspired by the sight of lush cover crops between vine rows as I was attending a co-ed high school after three years of confinement at an all boys boarding school. For a few minutes I imagined how happy the livestock back home would be to see this feast. Snapping out of my ungulate culinary fantasy, I quickly realized that this crop was destined not for grazing but would be mowed, sprayed, and disced back into bare soil for the summer. But the seed had been set: the potential for using grazing animals as a management tool in viticulture was blatantly obvious.

Tapping the Potential The use of livestock (especially sheep) in vineyards is not a new idea, but even to this day I have yet to come across anyone (including myself) managing grazing animals in vineyards at the potential that seems possible. Vineyard management practices in general have become increasingly mechanized throughout the world. A typical year on a California vineyard (organic or conventional) can require anywhere from twelve to twenty-five tractor passes down each row (roughly 26-34 rows per square acre) for pre-pruning, mowing, disking or spading, spraying, under-vine cultivation and in-row cultivation, fertilization, harvesting and seeding. Organic viticultural practices often require more tractor passes than conventional because mechanical cultivation, as opposed to herbicides, tends to be the tool of choice.

Before, during and after grazing in a block of young vines. The tractor row had previously been cultivated leaving a mass of weeds around the vines in the grow tubes. The vineyard crew was delighted at not having to cultivate this area by hand.

Number 127

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Land & Livestock

Grazing Sheep in Vineyards continued from page nine Based on the quality of life I was working towards it was apparent that the mechanical domination in both conventional and organic viticulture would hold little attraction to me. I got into agriculture to creatively and effectively work towards solar-based biological management practices. In order to grow grapes and stay true to my desired quality of life, I needed to create or develop farming practices that reflected these values and produced a triple bottom line. Upon my return back to the Southwest I immediately decided to make the row spacing on the vineyard I was planting too narrow for the farm tractor. This was an important breakthrough in my introduction to the power of design: there hasn’t been a tractor in that vineyard for ten years and rather than reducing options it was great incentive to develop creative alternatives. Large portions of the world’s wine growing regions are located in Mediterranean climates. This means that virtually all of the annual rainfall comes during the winter and early spring months with summer and early autumn being almost completely dry. This unique pattern allows for an increasingly popular practice of seeding annual cover crops each fall or simply allowing the native vegetation to grow while the grapevines are dormant. This helps keep soil in place during the wet season and can aid in maintaining soil fertility. Regardless of a vineyard’s location and what season rains occur, the areas between and under vine rows need to be managed. Keeping in line with my quality of life focus on biological (rather than mechanical) management practices, I have experimented grazing vineyards with cattle, chickens and geese, but sheep have been my main focus for both contract grazing (for clients) and grazing of vineyards that I manage throughout the year. For the past five years I have been grazing and managing vineyards in the coastal areas of central and northern California.

Overview of sheep grazing in the vineyard showing electric net fencing used to create temporary paddocks.

Land & Livestock

September / October 2009

Lambs grazing in early spring.

Dealing with Complexity Grazing vineyards can be a fairly complex process with a number of factors to plan for while managing the tool of livestock. Elements to consider when planning include: carrying capacity, vine/cover crop vigor in specific areas, reducing erosion potential, coordinating with winter cultural practices like pruning, grafting and spraying, problem plants, water availability, avoiding browse damage at bud break and allowing for flowering of cover crops (especially beneficial insect hosts). With a little modification the Grazing Plan and Control Chart works very well for both planning livestock moves and recording factors such as pounds of manure and quantity of urine deposited per block and acre. Information is then converted to estimated pounds of elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Many vineyards/wineries pay close attention to their soils and how management practices affect wine quality. Providing accurate and relevant information is both an aid to winegrowing practices and broadens awareness to the biological and economic benefits of livestock grazing. The grazing season for vineyards in the north coast region of California is dependent upon the weather (rainfall timing, amount, and temperature), but can start anytime from November through January and runs until the grapevines start to bud out, which can be from the middle of February until the first of April. In order to keep things simple and avoid overstocking, animal numbers are determined based on an early bud break date (time of stock removal), total acres to be grazed, assume slow growth for the entire grazing period, type of cover crop being grown, forage estimates and past experience. Stock densities of 150 to 400+ sheep per acre (375-1,000 sheep/ha) and grazing periods no longer than three days provide effective animal impact and reduce the undesirable tendency for sheep to chew on the dormant vines. Generally each paddock receives only one grazing during the grazing period unless it is desirable to reduce vigor by overgrazing. Controlling sheep in most vineyards is fairly simple using electrified net fencing, polywire or a combination of both. Having sheep trained to a whistle makes the moves impressively fast. Sheep don’t particularly like to be confined to a single vine row (usually six to eight feet or two to three meters wide), and can damage hanging plastic drip hose by running underneath to access forage between rows. Disconnecting drip lines at T’s or elbows tends to reduce the likelihood of serious damage. As for varieties, I primarily use hair/meat sheep such as Katahdins, St Croix, and Dorpers, but suspect that there are many other suitable types out there. So what are the advantages of grazing vineyards as opposed to the more conventional approaches of mowing, herbicides, tilling, etc.? Following is a list of some of the benefits I’ve experienced over the past few years:

Economic: • Reduction in tractor/labor use for mowing, cultivation and fertilization (3 passes), approximate savings of $134/acre ($335/ha) each year in labor, equipment, and fuel costs. • Provides interesting story and draw for marketing and publicity. Ecological: • Improved soil structure through reduction in tractor use (compaction) and beneficial effects of planned grazing. • Improved nutrient cycling by converting vegetation into an effective fertilizer on site. • Lower pollution levels through reduced tractor use. • Sheep tend to attract birds including turkeys and blackbirds. • Reduced impact on beneficial insects and habit over conventional practices. Social: • Improved neighbor and community relations due to less noise and pollution (this depends, of course, on the flock being well controlled!). Neighbors have become clients after observing the process. • Aesthetically pleasing to see sheep grazing contently in the vines. • More enjoyable form of management for myself. • As opposed to tractors, sheep are self-replicating, can be completely and directly powered by weeds, aid in carbon sequestration, and pair well with red wine.

Contract Grazing

to prevail in January and February. I raise sheep without the use of any commercial wormers to avoid any negative effects on the mineral cycle (and the sheep!) and only graze vineyards that use organic or biodynamic practices. Some of the main challenges are economic and design issues. As one might expect these are directly related. Although I consider the rates for my grazing services to be very reasonable, they can still cost the vineyard more than their normal practices. Most clients feel the overall benefits outweigh this discrepancy. For long-term viability, however, this issue needs to be addressed. The obvious weak link in this scenario is that just as cover crop growth starts to pickup as the weather warms, the sheep are removed from the vineyard to avoid grazing the tender new growth of the vines. It’s not uncommon to see late spring cover crops two to four feet tall destined for mowing and discing. Ultimately this is a design problem—vineyards are engineered for machines rather than designed for grazing. In addressing these issues I have found the principles of Holistic Management to be invaluable in developing and guiding a design process that can lead to a much more sustainable approach to wine growing. How we go about designing existing and new vineyards to be managed more effectively and economically with livestock will be the focus of my next article. Kelly Mulville is a Certified Educator who lives in Valley Ford, California. He can be reached at: kmulville@gmail.com or 707/431-8060.

Contract grazing on vineyards is usually charged on a per head basis. This rate is determined by terrain, distance from home, layout, amount of assistance provided by the vineyard crew, and a number of other factors. This past winter my rate varied between $.78/sheep/day to $1.60/sheep/day plus a hauling fee. As part of the contract, I meet with the vineyard manager or foreman and work out a grazing plan based on the particular needs of each vineyard. At the end of the season, a completed grazing plan is provided with the actual moves, management notes, and manure and urine estimates per block. Most of the moves are done alone or with an assistant, although I have trained onsite staff to do these moves as well. The grazing season (in the vineyard itself) can be as short as 45 days and as long as 100 days or more.

Vineyard grazing in early January at the start of the rainy season.

Lessons Learned For the most part my experiences with grazing vines over the past five years have been positive and very educational. During that time I have only lost one sheep to a predator (mountain lion) and one to the electric fence (got tangled up during the night). In addition to the occasional broken irrigation tube, at times sheep will chew on young grapevine spurs and canes. This seems to be indicative of a lack of dry matter in their diet and has only been a problem for a couple of weeks in one year. I have lambed out in the vines with very few problems in spite of the cold and wet conditions that tend Sheep grazing in vineyard. Sheep quickly adapt to the obstacles of trellis wires and drip tubing, moving between rows with relative ease.

Shortly after sheep have been removed in late winter.

Number 127

Land & Livestock

Holistic Management Increases Winter Stockpiling and Profit by Greg Judy

e just finished our third year of what we call Holistic High Density Managed grazing on Judy farms. This past winter 2008-09 has been by far the best in our grazing operation. We are beginning to reap the benefits of the increased grazing density and long recovery periods. We have changed our mindset about how we winter graze as well. We are now building soil and winter grazing at the same time.

Selection is Key To give you some background first, we live in central Missouri where our average rainfall is 38 inches (950 mm) per year. Last year was the first green growing season that we concentrated on trampling more forage and allowing the cows to select a diet out of the fully recovered sward. We stayed in animal performance mode the whole year. By allowing the cattle to select a quality diet out the dense sward, they performed great and we never doctored an animal for anything. The key here is selection. The cow can select a perfect diet if she is given the opportunity to do that on a daily basis from a recovered sward of fresh grass. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give cowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enough credit; they are the best at knowing which plant is best. They can select them at lightning speed by pulling them into their mouth with their tongue and ripping them off the stem. I love to watch a cow do this particular exercise. This past grazing season we approached the end of July with nearly all of our pastures recovered. We had a good growing season with lots of moisture. The pastures exploded from all the animal impact, litter, manure and urine from the high density grazing. This was free grass, folks, just from a change in management. By the time we held our Mob Grazing schools with Certified Educator Ian Mitchell-Innes last fall, our farms were lush in fall stockpiled grass.

Winter Stock Pile In our grazing school we teach folks how to calculate out how many animal days of stockpiled forage they have on their farm for the upcoming winter. We did this on our own operation.

This picture was taken in May 2007. We were just starting to get a good litter bank established.

This is the previous grazed stockpile on April 12th, 2009. Notice the amount of litter that is being left for the ground wildlife (microbes, earthworms, etc). The cattle mob is taking 50% and leaving 50% trampled. 12

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September / October 2009

We stocked our farm accordingly going into winter so that we had enough grass for the winter and 30 days of drought reserve insurance (extra stockpile just in case). Well, what we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize was how thick and massive our stockpiled sward was as a result from our high density grazing system. We immediately realized that we had underestimated the number of animal days that we had stockpiled for our herd as the winter grazing started. During the winter, we normally only move the cow mob once per day unless weather conditions get extremely wet. We go to 12-hour moves in rainy periods to prevent extreme pugging. The huge eye opener right from the start of winter grazing was that the mob was not consuming all the grass, but trampling about 50% of it because it was so thick. My first inclination was to tighten up the mob and make them clean it up better. After all, they were trampling 50% of it on the ground. I came to my better senses and stayed with the same allotment of stockpiled grass. My wife even voiced her concern over leaving so much stockpile behind with each grazing cycle. Her concern was that it would smother out the spring flush of new grass. I calmed her fears by explaining to her that we would be paid huge dividends in our coming growing season by laying all this litter on the ground. With all this dormant quality forage trampled flat on the ground, we had a huge smorgasboard for all the soil life in the coming spring. The soil microbes would be in heaven! Not to mention the benefit of having all of our farms covered with a nice layer of mulch to hold moisture and prevent erosion during the non-growing season. Also by leaving 50% of the forage, the wildlife has a good food source to carry them through the winter as well. My old mindset would have been to clean up the paddocks as much as possible so that we did not waste any forage. Thinking back, that was a huge mistake on our part. It is not waste, when you trample litter on the ground! The body condition score on our cows ranged from 5-6 on the whole mob. Our June calves are still on the cows and they are still putting on fat. The calves are as fat as ticks. Every day of the winter our mob got access to a fresh undisturbed sward of grass. When reaching down in the massive sward and pulling it open, there was This picture was taken in 2008 during the summer growing season. This farm has never been limed or fertilized, just mob grazed.

clover still green in February. It was protected from the freezing temperatures by the thick grass sward covering it. It is now the end of March and we still have 200 acres of stockpiled forage left to graze. Our pastures are greening up now and there is green grass and clover coming up through the winter stockpile. It sure is a wonderful feeling having too much grass in the winter! We are going to have to buy some more cows to eat all the grass. Our cows are now getting a little of the new spring green forage with every bite of last year’s winter stockpile. The dry matter from the stockpile is balancing out their rumen perfectly. Their manure piles are perfect; no runny sheet cakes behind these cows.

Just Say No to Green Several people have asked us why we don’t go onto the pastures where we have the nice green grass/legume spring pasture growth taking off. This is the last thing that I want to do. The cattle are content and our winter grazed spring pastures are setting themselves up for the entire growing season without being nipped off. If you nip off your spring pastures while they are trying to recover, you reduce the growing potential of the plant 40% for the entire growing season. All the grass plant is trying to do is survive and we used to nip it off to keep the seed head from forming in April and May. A grass plant that has a healthy root system under it does not need to send up a seed head immediately. The plant’s survival is not threatened with the long tap roots under it, so it continues to grow leaves. We are now starting to see a vast reduction in seed heads in the spring flush now that we are allowing our plants to mature. That is the difference between having grass in July or having to feed hay because your plants are suffering from their short roots. Remember, if your plants are not fully recovered when you graze them, you are effectively grazing the roots off. When you hit the summer slump, your cattle, grass, and pocketbook all suffer. In summary, we could have never imagined trampling 50% of our winter stockpile and still having too much grass left at the end of the winter. By concentrating on laying litter on the ground in the winter, we are giving the pasture a good shot of fertilizer in the dormant season as well. Our spring pastures are now springing to life from the winter grazed trampled layer of fertilizer. We are beginning our fourth year of Holistic High Density “Mob” grazing and the results just keep getting better every year. We are increasing our stocking rate 20% this year. I have never been more excited about our grazing future than I am today. This grazing stuff is fun and very profitable when you don’t have to spend any money. We are going to take our money that we would have spent for hay and buy more cows. Greg Judy lives in Rucker, Missouri and can be reached at: gtjudy@hps.hubbell.com. He recently wrote Comeback Farms, his story of taking the next step with Holistic Planned Grazing.

Book Review

Comeback Farms: Rejuvenating Soils, Pastures and Profits with Livestock Grazing Management

By Greg Judy Green Park Press • 2008 277 pages

first spoke to Greg Judy when he called the HMI office to ask about Holistic Management training. I knew about him through Stockman Grassfarmer and was impressed that he was eager to learn more about grazing instead of figuring he knew it all. Then I spoke with him at the Quivira Conference and he was so excited about the results he was getting on the ground from the Holistic Planned Grazing he was doing after taking a Holistic Management class with Certified Educator Kirk Gadzia. When HMI had its International Gathering in 2007, I knew we needed to get Greg as a speaker to talk about his experience of moving from Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) to Holistic Planned Grazing. I’ve followed his evolution in his article in the Stockman Grassfarmer and I was so pleased when I heard he was writing Comeback Farms to capture all that learning in one book. Many folks are hesitant to try Holistic Planned Grazing because of what they think it entails. Greg’s book is infectious, not only because of his enthusiasm and positive attitude, but because he articulates the basics in a very simple way, demonstrating to readers that it is possible to make these changes without a lot of infrastructure investment. While Greg learned a huge amount from his class with Kirk, his next key learning experience was with Certified Educator Ian Mitchell-Innes from South Africa. In fact, Greg dedicates Comeback Farms to Ian because as he notes, “Ian really woke me up to the additional opportunities we all have on our farms if we will learn this method of grazing management.” One of Greg’s biggest learnings from Ian was the landscaping versus animal performance issue. With “landscaping”—using livestock to improve land heath— it is critical to determine the most appropriate time to push the animal’s health while working more aggressively to improve land health. As Greg notes, you can use dry cows that don’t have the same nutritional needs whenever possible to do the heavy work of land health improvement, but if you have a cow/calf herd, don’t challenge the cows in their last two months of pregnancy which is when 80% of the calf’s growth is happening. Working on keeping the cow at a 6.5 body condition score is critical to her health and her calf’s. If there was one thing, I would have liked Greg to do differently with Comeback Farms, it would be to clarify the following point more: Ranching/livestock farming is about feeding the microbes in the guts of the animals and the soil. This is such critical information and fairly new to a lot of livestock producers. It seems to me that piece of knowledge is what motivates Greg do all the extra work he does and get all the results he is getting. It’s not about the livestock or the plants; it’s about the microbes that feed both of them and ultimately, us. Greg offers a lot of valuable technical advice which he has learned through trial and error, assisting his readers so they don’t have to repeat his mistakes. But best of all, he demonstrates that there is always something to learn and ways to have fun while farming. Even his few challenges with leases he notes have taught him valuable lessons. If you want to learn the nuts and bolts of beginning or transitioning to a grass-based livestock operation from start to finish, get a copy of Comeback Farms. You’ll even learn that cows have four legs and can walk (read the book and you’ll get the joke). To purchase this book, call HMI at 505/842-5252 or shop online at www.holisticmanagement.org.

Number 127

Land & Livestock

Deep Land Massage Profit—

Do the Math by Ann Adams

eil Dennis is a cattle producer in Saskatchewan, Canada. He has been experimenting with ultra-high stock density/mob grazing as part of his planned grazing. Over the years he has seen an increase of over 220% in land productivity and stocking rate. He has also been able to only graze a certain percentage of his land each year, so he can also feed the soil organisms and continue to build his soil fertility. (Box 1)

Increasing Stocking Rate 2004 . . 1,193 acres/396 head = 3.02 acres per animal 2005 . . . 1,193 acres/640 head = 1.86 acres per animal 2005 . . . 24% of land grazed only once to allow greater recovery and build soil fertility 2006 . . . 1,082 acres/801 head = 1.35 acres per animal 2006 . . . 46% of the land grazed only once (getting more forage from less use of the land because of greater productivity).

Some people say that mob grazing is too labor intensive. Well, it might require a little more management, but once you get the systems in place it isn’t that much more effort. Neil finds it actually ends up being less work and his hourly wage is $96.80/hour. (Box 3) Increased stock density also means more dollars produced per acre. In Neil’s case, it translates to 1.3 million pounds/acre or $122.76/acre gross income. That kind of return per acre is highly competitive against some crops. Neil Dennis can be reached at 306/739-2896.

Increasing Hourly Wage Sunnybrae 801 head X 110-day grazing season = 88,110 AD / 1,082 acres = 81.43 ADA

Neighbor 200 head X 110-day grazing season = 22,000 AD / 640 acres = 34.37 ADA

81.43 ADA – 34.37 ADA = 47.06 ADA difference X .72 (grazing lease/value of gain a day) = $33.88/acre 10 acres (daily allotment for cattle) X $33.88 = $338.80 per day / 3.5 hours of work = $96.80/ hr.

Because his stocking rate has risen over 220%, so has his profit. He is able to produce 84 pounds per acre than his neighbor. At $1.00/lb that translates to $53,760 more gross income than his neighbor on the same amount of ground. That’s a big profit difference. (Box 2)

Stock Density = $/Acre Increasing Profit

1,600 animals/acre

Sunnybrae 2006 Heifers 206 lbs X 801 head = 165,006/lbs / 1082 acres = 152 lbs of beef/acre.

Neighbor 2006 Steers 220 lbs X 200 head = 44,000lbs / 640 acre = 68.75 lbs of beef/acre.

84 pounds (additional lbs/acre) X 640 acres = 53,760 pounds X $1.00 = $53,760

Land & Livestock

September / October 2009

801 head X 833 lbs = 667,233 lbs X 2 (on .5 acres) =1.3 million lbs/acre. Stockpiled grass of 60 ADA after 107-day recovery +110.5 ADA grazed = 170.5 ADA x .72 (grazing lease/value of grass) = $122.76/acre

801 head of cattle grazing on a half an acre for 1.3 million pounds per acre.

Note the difference in regrowth, incorporation of manure and litter making contact with the soil surface. This integration of organic matter into the soil creates a very different end result of forage produced after recovery.

This photo shows what a 121,360 lbs per acre treatment looks like after a 50-day recovery with 4.4 inch rain (110 mm) from June 25th when the grazing happened to August 14th when the photo was taken.

Where there was high stock density the regrowth after 50 days recovery averaged 11 inches (275 mm) tall. Where the mob grazing was used, it averaged 22 inches (550 mm) tall.

This photo shows what a 606,800 lbs per acre treatment looks like after a 50-day recovery as above. Number 127

Land & Livestock

Achieving Balance—

Soil Bacteria: Fungi Ratio by Phillip Diprose

oss and June Skene, “Torrington”, Cowra in New South Wales Australia have for the past 18 months been one of 10 participating landholders in what’s known locally as the Lachlan Grazing Management Project (LGMP). As Business Development Director of Holistic Management International / Australia Limited (HMI Australia), I have initiated and led this project, funded by the National Landcare Program with the support and involvement of the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority; and see it as another way to expose mainstream agriculture to some core Holistic Management elements. The project support team is working with the 10 landholder families throughout the Lachlan Catchment area to demonstrate how selected elements of the Holistic Management® decision-making framework can be applied to increase soil health, biodiversity, and herbage mass production. In particular, the LGMP is aiming to assist landowners to use high-density, short duration planned grazing and the ecosystem management tools of human creativity, rest, grazing and animal impact to “treat” the land to take its condition toward the landscape (defined in short form how the land is to look and work) goal that each landholder develops. Ross and June’s landscape goal reads: “More perennial plants, more effective rainfall, diversity of species, a nice living situation and financially secure.” Individual on-property assessments were carried out to determine appropriate locations for demonstration site(s) that range in size up to 50 acres (20 hectares). Because the circumstances of each landholder family vary, these assessments are vital for ensuring that the site locations and sizes fit within the current management resources of the participant. As part of monitoring on each site, soil samples were taken and analyzed by both the Soil Foodweb Institute (SFI) and Environmental Analysis Laboratory (EAL). A series of teleconferences (using the facilities of sponsor HotAir Conferencing) discussing actual test results were held with landholders, with key input from Merline Olson of SFI and SFI advocate Chris Henggeler of Kachana Station in the Kimberley. Each conference call was recorded and participants were able to download and listen again at their leisure. The discussions were “eye opening” experiences for the landholders, with a couple being unsettled by what Merline could tell them about above ground plant types simply from the results. Merline was also challenged in determining the most appropriate soil “treatments” to apply from the four available tools, given that more conventional SFI treatments such as compost tea applications could not be used. It was at this point that Chris Henggeler’s experience on Kachana proved invaluable. Test results showed that soils on nine out of the 10 sites were bacterially dominated. Based on SFI experience, healthy pastures need a balance in the ratio between bacteria and fungi, and where the amounts of both exceed 300 micrograms per gram of soil there is generally a significant increase in plant activity. To address the bacteria dominant imbalance, a strategy to increase fungal content was developed of having a brief period of intense animal presence on the sites such that hoof impact and the animals lying down to rest or sleep would force the remaining herbage onto the ground surface. It is important to try and minimize soil surface baring as this stimulates bacterial activity. A short period of intense above ground activity followed by appropriate stock exclusion time favors the micro-organisms and allows the plants to recover. The pruned plants from the grazing activity release exudates in the 16

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September / October 2009

root zones and the crushed green material and litter from the intense animal impact are more readily accessible to bacteria and fungi. An even spread of animal dung and urine through high density assists the process by providing an additional mix of nutrients and trace-elements. It is felt that this practice mimics the effects of herds of grazing animals in their natural state—where an area is eaten and the remnant herbage laid on the ground surface and then the animals move on. The interaction between above ground animals, plants, and soil microorganisms all contribute to increased soil health, biodiversity, and herbage mass production. In conventional “set” or “long duration” stocking there always is a danger of animals excessively compacting soils and thus reducing the amount of air available to the micro-organisms and generally making life hard for these little fellows. Ross and June’s site is divided in three sections, and test results showed their soils were bacterial dominant soils. After listening to the recording of the discussion with Merline and Chris multiple times to glean every last bit of information and with the desire of moving the soil condition toward their landscape goal and the available herbage mass, Ross and June’s land treatment decision was to introduce 185 cow equivalents for 12 hours animal presence overnight, with the animals being full on entry to the site. The following photographs were taken by Ross prior to the above treatment: Horizon view (Before) 22/12/2008

Close-up view (Before) The following photographs were taken by Ross immediately after the treatment: Horizon view (After) 23/12/2008

Close-up View (After) Experience suggests that most people who have not been exposed to the principles of Holistic Management® when looking at the above photographs would say that the “before” photos are much better than the “after,” i.e. the natural inclination is to think that the “treatment” that was applied would have damaged the land through, for example, creating compaction. As mentioned previously, the short duration of the treatment coupled with the time allowed for plant recovery means that this is not the case. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

2008 Annual Report HMI’s 2008 Annual Report is now available online at: www.holisticmanagement.org. Dear Friends and Colleagues, It is especially gratifying to present this report on 2008 as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary in 2009. Recent achievements and forward movement clearly demonstrate what your 25 years of generous support have made possible. It has been a year of concrete results and an increased "mainstreaming" of Holistic Management. Even as our ongoing programs have thrived, HMI has increased collaboration and activity in the carbon sequestration and sustainability arenas, while building greater public awareness of Holistic Management. Here are just a few examples: • The PBS television documentary HMI supported, “The First Millimeter: Healing the Earth,” continues to open many eyes and minds to the land health issues and practices we have long championed. • We stepped up efforts to encourage research on the link between healing grasslands and mitigating global climate change by convening the Grasslands Carbon Working Group, a committed group of scientists and experts from diverse disciplines. • In a new spirit of collaboration, we are seeking out individuals, organizations, and academic institutions in the US and abroad who, like us, are working on healing the land and creating sustainable solutions for our common future. • A focused Data & Documentation strategy will help us to ensure that the results of managing land holistically on our learning sites and around the globe stand up to scrutiny, an essential step in the broadening of HMI's credibility and reach. 2008 was a good year for us financially as well. We are debt free and ended the year with a surplus, which is allowing us to move forward with our plans to expand our reach in the US and internationally. That said, the economy and market conditions of 2009 present significant challenges for all non-profit organizations, including HMI. On behalf of the HMI board and staff, we want to thank you for being part of the HMI community. We are immeasurably grateful for your continued encouragement and financial support!

Ben Bartlett Chair of the Board

Peter Holter Chief Executive Officer

Update on “The First Millimeter: Healing the Earth” — Documentary goes National!

xecutive Producer Tony Tiano has made good on his promise to get the documentary in front of national PBS audiences across the country. Although still fairly early in the distribution game, several PBS stations have already broadcast the film, and by the time you receive this issue, the list will be considerably longer: • April 22nd, KNME New Mexico; incidentally, we had the highest rating of the evening! • July 2nd, KQED, San Francisco Bay Area • July 9th, Wyoming PBS • July 27th and 28th, KCPT 2, Kansas City We know of several other stations that have picked up the film from the satellite feed and will be broadcasting later this summer or early fall. Those of you living in Indiana and Nebraska, watch your local PBS listings. And, keep checking our website www.holisticmanagement.org for up-to-date broadcast information. June was a busy month in terms of private and public screenings. Board member Sallie Calhoun hosted an event at her home in Saratoga, CA; immediate past Chairman Ron Chapman introduced the film to an audience of fifty people of all ages at East West Books in Mountain View, CA. and led a lively post-viewing discussion; and Joe Morris, one of the Holistic Management practitioners featured in the film, coordinated a viewing event at Hollister Ranch in Gaviota, CA. We’re learning a lot from the questions and comments coming from the different—and diverse—audiences about how to craft our message to address knowledge gaps and perceptions of ranching and use of livestock among the “general public.” Special thanks to all who’ve been helping to get the word out: Sallie Calhoun, Ron Chapman, Joe Morris, Tom Frutchey, and Anne Coates! We are also actively submitting the theatrical version—feature length—of The First Millimeter: Healing the Earth to various film festivals around the county. The documentary has already been entered in the Santa Monica Film Festival, the Atlantic Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, and the International Documentary Association (IDA). We are currently evaluating other film festivals for future entry, taking into consideration factors such as target urban communities for screenings, as well as a strong ranching/farming presence in the community. Other festivals we plan on submitting to include the Santa Fe Film Festival, the Colorado Environmental Film Festival, Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, and Nevada Film Festival. Mary Girsch-Bock, who is heading this effort leaves no stone unturned. Lastly, we ask that you consider hosting a house party to do your part in spreading the message and practice of Holistic Management. See our website (www.holisticmanagement.org) for more information or call Mary at 505-842-5252.

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IN PRACTICE

Feeding Microbes with Mob Grazing By Betsy Ross Editor’s Note: This was written after Ian Mitchell-Innes classes last year in Texas. He will be returning on October 8-16, 2009 in various locations in Texas. To learn more about these courses, visit www.hmitexas.org.

Achieving Balance

continued from page sixteen

I took the following photographs some four months after the treatment. When looking at these images readers need to keep in mind that they were taken in autumn while the earlier images were in early summer. Horizon view 30/4/2009

Close-up view 30/4/2009 Ross accompanied me when the latest photographs were taken. Observations were made at both the treated and non-treated sub-sites looking for differences. During this process Ross observed that there was a distinct difference in plant activity surrounding and over the bare patches of soil. Where there had been no treatment the plants surrounding the bare area were retreating, whilst on the treated area the plants were encroaching vigorously, as depicted in the following photographs. Bare ground outside site

Bare ground inside site Phillip Diprose wishes to acknowledge the input and assistance in writing this article given by the Soil Foodweb Institute, Chris Henggeler and Ross and June Skene. For further information, contact Phillip Diprose on email via phillipdiprose@gmail.com.

IN PRACTICE

September / October 2009

was ready for a break away from the farm and I had wanted to meet Ian Mitchell-Innes. Joe David (my brother and partner) insisted I should go as it had been a while since I went through the Holistic Management training. I had never been around Bowie, Texas and didn’t know what to expect the rangeland to be. But I knew it used to support our vast Texas prairies. As I was driving I noticed so much of the land had coastal Bermuda on it, which for sure is out of place with the prairie species. In the roadsides and medians I was seeing lots of Indian Grass, Dropseed Meadow, Little Bluestem and a vast array of other prairie grasses and forbs. I wondered why the rest of the area had gotten so far away from these native grasses. Then I got to the turn off to Jerry Addison’s ranch where the classes were being held and I couldn’t believe all the natives—lots of diversity and density. The end of October and there was plenty of prairie grasses and forbs to carry the cattle through the winter. I started getting excited. I got to the bunk house and began to spot old friends, new friends; and many experienced graziers as well as newbies. The classes started, and we were off to the races. It took almost a day for me to get used to Ian’s South African accent, but he took us through a wonderful review of why we were there—people doing what we do because we love the land and can’t get enough of what’s happening on the land. Hearing Ian talk about the “whole within the whole” and “the holisticgoal that helps to balance the financial, ecological, and social needs” and constantly relating it back to practical applications and situations. It was just invigorating! Two big “take-aways” for me were: 1) Animal performance is the proof in the pudding. At Ross Farm animal performance is our benchmark of how successful we are at the farm. 2) “High-density” or “mob” grazing is about putting carbon on the ground to feed the microbes. I have been to many ranches/farms these last several years and have seen the lack of organic matter and especially fungi in our soils. Without fungal-dominated soils, it can be very expensive, almost impossible to grow the native grasses. When grasses are trampled into the surface, fungi is selected, and fill their niche in the critically balanced soil food web. I have also seen lots of places that treat animal performance by weight gain, birth weights, how many you can graze to an acre. They are trying to do a good job, but following the conventional recipe of inputs and inoculants isn’t the way we want to operate on our farm. I think obtaining high animal performance and building the soil carbon is hard. Ian gave us a great tool that could attain both goals. Lots of other ideas are still floating in my head. I think everyone there had many take-aways, but I was ready to get back to the farm and set a couple of pastures up to mob graze. By golly, I just gotta try that. Betsy Ross and her brother Joe David Ross run a grass-finishing farm in Central Texas. She can be reached at 512-636-3711, and JR Builta, at 512-567-1267. Web site www.rossfarm.com and www.stainablegrowthtexas.com.

UNITED STATES

Certified Educators

Paul Swanson 5155 West 12th St., Hastings, NE 68901 402/463-8507 swanson@inebraska.com

To our knowledge, Certified Educators are the best qualified individuals to help others learn to practice Holistic Management and to provide them with technical assistance when necessary. On a yearly basis, Certified Educators renew their agreement to be affiliated with HMI. This agreement requires their commitment to practice Holistic Management in their own lives, to seek out opportunities for staying current ◆ These educators provide with the latest developments in Holistic Management and to Holistic Management maintain a high standard of ethical conduct in their work. instruction on behalf of the For more information about or application forms for the HMI’s Certified Educator Training Programs, contact Ann Adams or visit our website at: www.holisticmanagement.org.

CALIFORNIA

COLORADO Joel Benson P.O. Box 4924, Buena Vista, CO 81211 719/395-6119 • joel@outburstllc.com Cindy Dvergsten 17702 County Rd. 23, Dolores, CO 81323 970/882-4222 hminfo@wholenewconcepts.com Daniela and Jim Howell P.O. Box 67, Cimarron, CO 81220-0067 970/249-0353 • howelljd@montrose.net Byron Shelton 33900 Surrey Lane, Buena Vista, CO 81211 719/395-8157 • landmark@my.amigo.net Tom Walther P.O. Box 1158 Longmont, CO 80502-1158 510/499-7479 • tagjag@aol.com GEORGIA Constance Neely 1421 Rockinwood Dr., Athens, GA 30606 706/540-2878 • clneely@earthlink.net IOWA ◆ Margaret Smith

Iowa State University, CES Sustainable Agriculture 972 110th St., Hampton, IA 50441-7578 515/294-0887 • mrgsmith@iastate.edu

◆ Seth Wilner

24 Main Street, Newport, NH 03773 603/863-4497 (h) 603/863-9200 (w) seth.wilner@unh.edu

R. H. (Dick) Richardson University of Texas at Austin Section of Integrative Biology School of Biological Sciences Austin, TX 78712 • 512/471-4128 d.richardson@mail.utexas.edu

institutions they represent. associate educators * These provide educational services to their communities and peer groups.

UNITED STATES

Bill Burrows 12250 Colyear Springs Road Red Bluff, CA 96080 530/529-1535 • 530/200-2419 (c) sunflowercrmp@msn.com Richard King 1675 Adobe Rd. Petaluma, CA 94954 707/769-1490 707/794-8692(w) richard.king@ca.usda.gov * Kelly Mulville P.O Box 323, Valley Ford, CA 94972-0323 707/431-8060; 707/876-3592 jackofallterrains@hotmail.com ◆ Rob Rutherford CA Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 805/756-1475 rrutherf@calpoly.edu

NEW HAMPSHIRE

TEXAS Chandler McLay P.O. Box 1796, Glen Rose, TX 76043 303/888-8799 • mclay90@gmail.com

LOUISIANA Tina Pilione P.O. 923, Eunice, LA 70535 phone: 337/580-0068 tina@tinapilione.com

NEW MEXICO ◆ Ann Adams

Holistic Management International 1010 Tijeras NW Albuquerque, NM 87102 505/842-5252 anna@holisticmanagement.org Kirk Gadzia P.O. Box 1100, Bernalillo, NM 87004 505/867-4685 (f) 505/867-9952 kgadzia@msn.com

WASHINGTON Craig Madsen P.O. Box 107, Edwall, WA 99008 509/236-2451 • Madsen2fir@gotsky.com Sandra Matheson 228 E. Smith Rd., Bellingham, WA 98226 360/398-7866 • mathesonsm@verizon.net Doug Warnock 1880 SE Larch Ave., College Place, WA 99324 509/540-5771 • 509/856-7101 (c) dwarnock@charter.net Wisconsin

MAINE

* Vivianne Holmes

239 E. Buckfield Rd. Buckfield, ME 04220-4209 207/336-2484 vholmes@umext.maine.edu MICHIGAN

* Ben Bartlett N4632 ET Road, Traunik, MI 49891 906/439-5210 (h) • 906/439-5880 (w) bartle18@msu.edu * Larry Dyer 604 West 8th Ave. Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783 906/248-3354 x4245 (w) 906/253-1504 (h) dyerlawr@msu.edu MONTANA Wayne Burleson 322 N. Stillwater Rd., Absarokee, MT 59001 406/328-6808 rutbuster@montana.net Roland Kroos 4926 Itana Circle Bozeman, MT 59715 406/522-3862 kroosing@msn.com * Cliff Montagne P.O. Box 173120 Montana State University Department of Land Resources & Environmental Science Bozeman, MT 59717 406/994-5079 montagne@montana.edu NEBRASKA Terry Gompert P.O. Box 45 Center, NE 68724-0045 402/288-5611 (w) tgompert1@unl.edu

NEW YORK Phil Metzger 99 N. Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815 607/334-3231 x4 (w) • 607/334-2407 (h) phil.metzger@ny.usda.gov John Thurgood 15 Farone Dr., Apt. E26 Oneonta, NY 13820-1331 607/643-2804 jthurgood@stny.rr.com North Dakota Wayne Berry 1611 11th Ave. West Williston, ND 58801 701/572-9183 wberry@wil.midco.net

Andy Hager W. 3597 Pine Ave., Stetsonville, WI 54480-9559 715/678-2465 Larry Johnson W886 State Rd. 92, Brooklyn, WI 53521 608/455-1685 lpjohn@rconnect.com * Laura Paine Wisconsin DATCP N893 Kranz Rd., Columbus, WI 53925 608/224-5120 (w) • 920/623-4407 (h) laura.paine@datcp.state.wi.us

OREGON

INTERNATIONAL

Jeff Goebel 52 NW Mcleay Blvd. • Portland, OR 97210 541/610-7084 • goebel@aboutlistening.com Andrea & Tony Malmberg P.O. Box 167, LaGrande, OR 97850 541/805-1124 • Andrea@LifeEnergy.us Tony@LifeEnergy.us PENNSYLVANIA Jim Weaver 428 Copp Hollow Rd. Wellsboro, PA 16901-8976 570/724-7788 • jaweaver@epix.net TEXAS Christina Allday-Bondy 2703 Grennock Dr., Austin, TX 78745 512/441-2019 • tododia@sbcglobal.net Guy Glosson 6717 Hwy. 380, Snyder, TX 79549 806/237-2554 glosson@caprock-spur.com Peggy Maddox P.O. Box 694, Ozona, TX 76943-0694 325/392-2292 westgift@hughes.net

AUSTRALIA Judi Earl 73 Harding E., Guyra, NSW 2365 61-2-6779-2286 judi@holisticmanagement.org.au Mark Gardner P.O. Box 1395, Dubbo, NSW 2830 61-2-6884-4401 mark.gardner@vbs.net.au Paul Griffiths P.O. Box 3045, North Turramura, NSW 2074, Sydney, NSW 61-2-9144-3975 • pgpres@geko.net.au George Gundry Willeroo, Tarago, NSW 2580 61-2-4844-6223 • ggundry@bigpond.net.au Graeme Hand 150 Caroona Lane, Branxholme, VIC 3302 61-3-5578-6272 (h) • 61-4-0996-4466 (c) graemeh1@bordernet.com.au Helen Lewis P.O. Box 1263, Warwick, QLD 4370 61-7-46617393 • 61-7-46670835 helen@insideoutsidemgt.com.au

Number 127

IN PRACTICE

INTERNATIONAL NAMIBIA

KENYA

AUSTRALIA Brian Marshall P.O. Box 300, Guyra NSW 2365 61-2-6779-1927 • fax: 61-2-6779-1947 bkmrshl@bigpond.com Bruce Ward P.O. Box 103, Milsons Pt., NSW 1565 61-2-9929-5568 • fax: 61-2-9929-5569 blward@the-farm-business-gym.com Brian Wehlburg Kindee, NSW •61-02-6587-4353 Jason Virtue Mary River Park 1588 Bruce Hwy. South Gympie, QLD 4570 61-7-5483-5155 Jason@spiderweb.com.au

CANADA Don Campbell Box 817 Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1Y6 306/236-6088 doncampbell@sasktel.net Len Pigott Box 222, Dysart, SK, SOH 1HO 306/432-4583 JLPigott@sasktel.net Kelly Sidoryk P.O. Box 374, Lloydminster, AB S9V 0Y4 780/875-9806 (h) 780/875-4418 (c) kjsidoryk@yahoo.ca

Richard Hatfield P.O. Box 10091-00100, Nairobi 254-0723-506-331 rhatfield@obufield.com Christine C. Jost International Livestock Research Institute Box 30709, Nairobi 00100 254-20-422-3000; 254-736-715-417 (c) c.jost@cgiar.org Belinda Low P.O. Box 15109, Langata, Nairobi 254-727-288-039 belinda@grevyszebratrust.org

MEXICO Arturo Mora Benitez San Juan Bosco 169 Fracc., La Misión Celaya, Guanajuato 38016 52-461-615-7632 • jams@prodigy.net.mx Elco Blanco-Madrid Hacienda de la Luz 1803 Fracc. Haciendas del Valle II Chihuahua, Chih 31238 52/614-423-4413 (h) • 52/614-415-0176 (f) elco_blanco@hotmail.com Ivan A. Aguirre Ibarra P.O. Box 304, Hermosillo, Sonora 83000 52-1-662-281-0990 (from U.S.) 51-1-662-281-0901 Rancho_inmaculada@yahoo.com.mx

SOUTH AFRICA

Usiel Kandjii P.O. Box 23319, Windhoek 264-61-205-2324 kandjiiu@gmail.com Colin Nott P.O. Box 11977, Windhoek 264/61-225085 (h) 264/81-2418778 canott@iafrica.com.na Wiebke Volkmann P.O. Box 9285, Windhoek 264-61-225183 or 264-81-127-0081 wiebke@mweb.com.na

Ian Mitchell-Innes P.O. Box 52, Elandslaagte 2900 27-36-421-1747 • blanerne@mweb.co.za Dick Richardson P.O. Box 1853, Vryburg 8600 tel/fx: 27-082-934-6139 • Dickson@wam.co.za SPAIN Aspen Edge Apartado de Correos 19, 18420 Lanjaron, Granada (0034)-958-347-053 aspen@holisticdecisions.com

NEW ZEALAND John King P.O. Box 12011 Beckenham, Christchurch 8242 64-276-737-885 succession@clear.net.nz

UNITED KINGDOM Philip Bubb 32 Dart Close, St. Ives, Cambridge, PE27 3JB 44-1480-496-2925 (h) 44-1223-814-662 (w) philipbubb@onetel.com

SOUTH AFRICA Wayne Knight P.O. Box 537 Mokopane 0600 theknights@mweb.co.za Jozua Lambrechts P.O. Box 5070 Helderberg, Somerset West, Western Cape 7135 27-21-851-5669; 27-21-851-2430 (w) jozua@websurf.co.za

ZIMBABWE Sunny Moyo Africa Centre for Holistic Management P. Bag 5950, Victoria Falls; sunnyachm@africaonline.co.zw; 263-13-42199 (w) John Nyilika Private Bag 5950, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 263-0-13-42199 hmtrain@africaonline.co.zw

H O L I ST I C M A N AG E M E N T ®

Policy Analysis and Design Course September 29 & 30, 2009 KNOX COUNTY COURTHOUSE ANNEX, CENTER, NEBRASKA

INSTRUCTORS: JOEL BENSON, TERRY GOMPERT, and CHRISTINA ALLDAY-BONDY

earn how to analyze and design policies at the local and state levels using the Holistic Management® Framework. This workshop includes Natural Resource Structured Diagnosis as well as techniques on how to determine the root cause of a problem the policy was designed to address. This is an experiential workshop so bring a policy you want to analyze or design.

TO REGISTER, CONTACT: UNL Extension Office in Knox County Center, NE • 402-288-5611 • knox-county@unl.edu

IN PRACTICE

September / October 2009

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? • School Boards • City Council • Planning & Zoning Boards • Supervisors/commissioners • Natural Resource Boards (RC&D, SWC, etc) COST:

450

PER PERSON, FARM OR UNIT

Money back satisfaction is guaranteed with this course!

T H E

M A R K E T P L A C E

HANDS-ON AGRONOMY BASIC SOIL FERTILITY GUIDELINES Now Available on DVD

BUY THE DVD TODAY! Runs 80 minutes and covers the following topics:

$30

• Feeding and Balancing the Soil • The Albrecht System • Soil Testing • Considering Soil Test Results • Sulfur • Calcium, pH, and Liming • Potassium and Sodium • Nitrogen • Manures, Green Manures

(postpaid to US addresses)

For consulting or educational services contact:

Kinsey Agricultural Services, Inc. $30 (plus shipping) (PAL orders add $5)

297 County Highway 357, Charleston, Missouri 63834 Phone: 573/683-3880; Fax: 573/683-6227, neal@kinseyag.com WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARD ORDERS (VISA, MC)

Mega a Tape Tape 10 stainless steel strands offers exceptional strength woven method prevents unraveling

excellent conductivity white or orange fits on a standard reel Proudly serving Holistic Management Practitioners since 1978!

(800)527-0990 San Angelo, Texas twinmountainfence.com En Mexico: Lada sin costo 01-800-640-3156

Nationwide Distribution 0909

Number 127

IN PRACTICE

T H E

M A R K E T P L A C E

CORRAL DESIGNS

Resource Management Services, LLC Kirk L. Gadzia, Certified Educator PO Box 1100 Pasture Bernalillo, NM 87004 Scene 505-263-8677 Investigation

kgadzia@msn.com We improve the way you manage your land, human and financial resources.

On-site Introductory HM Course

Durham Ranch*, Wright, WY

Dec. 9-12, 2009 Register for this dynamic-participatory course involving the Durham Ranch staff and Roland Kroos, HMI certified educator.

By World Famous Dr. Grandin Originator of Curved Ranch Corrals The wide curved Lane makes filling the crowding tub easy. Includes detailed drawings for loading ramp, V chute, round crowd pen, dip vat, gates and hinges. Plus cell center layouts and layouts compatible with electronic sorting systems. Articles on cattle behavior. 27 corral layouts. $55. Low Stress Cattle Handling Video $59. Send checks/money order to:

*Durham Ranch was featured in the Healing the Earth PBS Documentary.

GRANDIN LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS

(Limited to 15, register NOW!)

2918 Silver Plume Dr., Unit C-3 Fort Collins, CO 80526

Contact

Roland or Brenda Kroos (406) 522.3862 â&#x20AC;˘ kroosing@msn.com

970/229-0703 www.grandin.com

Start Using Holistic Management Today! Join Our Distance Learning Program Stay At Home â&#x20AC;&#x201C; All You Need Is A Phone

Apply What You Learn As You Learn With Our Hands On Approach, Step by Step Workbook And Personalized Mentoring. Enjoy Flexible Scheduling. Choose to Work Independently or In Small Groups. Get Started Now.

Realize Immediate Benefits Find More Details On The Web at www.wholenewconcepts.com By Phone at 970-882-4222 or e-mail us at requests@wholenewconcepts.com Offered By Whole New Concepts, LLC P.O. Box 218 Lewis CO 81327 USA

Cindy Dvergsten, a Holistic ManagementÂŽ Certified Educator, has 12 years experience in personal practice, training & facilitation of Holistic Management, and 25 years experience in resource management & agriculture. She offers customized solutions to family farms & ranches, communities and organizations worldwide.

IN PRACTICE

September / October 2009

How can RMS, LLC help you? On-Site Consulting: All aspects of holistic management, inFOXGLQJ Ă&#x20AC; QDQFLDO HFRORJLFDO DQG KXPDQ resources. Training Events: Regularly scheduled and customized training sessions provided in a variety of locations. Ongoing Support: Follow-up training sessions and access to continued learning opportunities and developments. Land Health Monitoring: Biological Monitoring of Rangeland and Riparian Ecosystem Health. Property Assessment: Land health and productivity assessment with recommended solutions. www.resourcemanagementservices.com

Western Canadian Holistic Management Conference February 8-10,

2010 SPEAKERS AND PRESENTERS INCLUDE: John Ikerd Terry Gompert Pam Iwanchysko Don Campbell Ann Adams Blain Hjertaas Tony & Fran McQuail Kelly Sidoryk Allison Guichon Brian Luce Ralph & Linda Corcoran

RUSSELL, MANITOBA

Save the Date! TOPICS INCLUDE: Finding Purpose in Peril, Building a New Economy, Profitable Farming, Cropping and Land Management, Financial Management,

. . . AND MORE! For more information, call 206/622-2006 or go to www.mbforagecouncil.mb.ca Online registration will begin December 1, 2009.

T H E

M A R K E T P L A C E Administración Holística México

DON’T HAVE TIME TO MONITOR LAND HEALTH?

Asesoría, Capacitación y Seguimiento

Let me get you the information you need to improve the health AND productivity of your land. • Over 40 years of experience with ranching and rangeland • Public and private land experience • 100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back!

KELLY BONEY 575/760-7636 kboney@ plateautel.net

Holistic Management Facilitators Don & Bev Campell

Achieve success with— People—learn to differentiate

between standard of living and quality of life Land—leave a legacy, improve the land Finances—make a profit every year

*************************** Box 817, Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1Y6 306/236-6088; doncampbell@sasktel.net

Énfasis en ambientes con lluvia escasa y aleatoria

Arturo Mora Benítez Educador certíficado en Administración Holística (Holistic Management) San Juan Bosco # 169 La Misión 38016 Celaya, Gto. México 52 461 61 5 76 32 jams@prodigy.net.mx

www.arturomora.name

Boss Up Your Life! WAYNE BERRY “Converted Grain Farmer to Grass Farmer” ➤ CERTIFIED

HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT EDUCATOR ➤ RANCHER WORKSHOPS ➤ GOAL SETTING ➤ TEAM BUILDING ➤ CONFERENCE / MEETING PRESENTER

To learn more about workshop opportunities or trainings: Please call 866/938-6963 OR Melissa.Meyer@wsc.nodak.edu. POWERED BY WILLISTON STATE COLLEGE

Number 127

IN PRACTICE

healthy land. sustainable future.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALBUQUERQUE, NM PERMIT NO 880

a publication of Holistic Management International 1010 Tijeras NW Albuquerque, NM 87102 USA return service requested

please send address corrections before moving so that we do not incur unnecessary postal fees

HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT MAIL ORDER EMPORIUM Subscribe to IN PRACTICE

Software

_ A bimonthly journal for Holistic Management practitioners

Holistic Management® Financial Planning (single-user license) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $249 Please specify PC or Mac, Office ‘95 or ‘97, 2000, XP, or 2003 and version of Excel you are using

Subscribe for 1 year for only $35/U.S. ($40/International) 2 years ($65/U.S.; $70/International) 3 years ($95/U.S.; $105/International)

_ Gift Subscriptions (same prices as above). _ Special Edition: An Introduction to Holistic Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5 _ Compact Disk Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14 _ Bulk subscriptions available.

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_ Back Issues: $5 each; bulk orders (5 or more issues) $3 each. List

_ Introduction to Holistic Management August 2007, 128 pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25

Please indicate issue numbers desired: ___,___,___,___,___,___,___,___,___,___ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25

_ CD of Back Issues: #71 - 89

_ Financial Planning August 2007, 58 pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17

_ Aide Memoire for Grazing Planning

Books & Multimedia

August 2007, 63 pages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17

_ Early Warning Biological Monitoring— Croplands

Holistic Management: A New Framework for Decision-Making,

_ Second Edition, by Allan Savory with Jody Butterfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $39 _ Hardcover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $55 _ 15-set CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $99 _ One month rental of CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35 _ Spanish Version (soft). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 _ Holistic Management Handbook, by Butterfield, Bingham, Savory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $27 _ At Home With Holistic Management, by Ann Adams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20 _ Holistic Management: A New Environmental Intelligence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10 _ Improving Whole Farm Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13 _ Video: Creating a Sustainable Civilization—

April 2000, 26 pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14

_ Early Warning Biological Monitoring—Rangelands and Grasslands August 2007, 59 pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17

_ Land Planning—For The Rancher or Farmer Running Livestock August 2007, 31 pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17

Planning Forms (All forms are padded – 25 sheets per pad) _ Annual Income & Expense Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17 _ Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 7 _ Livestock Production Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17 _ Control Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 5 _ Grazing Plan & Control Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17

An Introduction to Holistic Decision-Making, based on a lecture given by Allan Savory. (VHS/DVD/PAL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30 Stockmanship, by Steve Cote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35

_ _ The Grassfed Gourmet Cookbook, by Shannon Hayes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 _ The Oglin, by Dick Richardson & Rio de la Vista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 _ Gardeners of Eden, by Dan Dagget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 _ Video: Healing the Land Through Multi-Species Grazing (VHS/DVD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30 TO ORDER

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Shipping & Handling

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Indicate quantity on line next to item, make sure your shipping address is correct, mail this page (or a copy) and your check or money order payable in U.S. funds from a U.S. bank or your credit card number and expiration date to: Holistic Management International, 1010 Tijeras Ave. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. You can also call in or fax credit card orders. Phone calls to: 505/842-5252; Fax: 505/843-7900. For online ordering, visit our secure website at: www.holisticmanagement.org. Printed on recycled paper

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