Holistic Management in the News
Recent Articles, Broadcasts, and Podcasts about Holistic Management
in practice around the world.
Evolution by the Grasroots
The New York Times Website, March 2010
"Let’s limber up with a few facts. In general, grasses spread their pollen by wind, so they are not dependent on bees or other insects. Grasses also grow fast, and can easily colonize patches of bare ground, or move into a landscape after a fire. They can withstand being eaten (or mown) better than most other plants, because their leaves grow from the base, not the top."
"Like all plants, they make energy from the sun by means of photosynthesis. However, grasses have repeatedly evolved a variation — known as C4 photosynthesis — that uses less water, and is thus a particular advantage in hot, dry places, or when carbon dioxide levels are low. This has allowed them to flourish in difficult habitats, like rocky outcrops and dry soils.... (Click here to read the full article)
Rangelands could go off the sick list (GAO Report)
The Salt Lake Tribune Website, Feb 20. 2010
Grazing practices at the ranch attracted the interest of the Government Accounting Office, the nonpartisan investigative arm of Congress. In a 1998 report, the GAO reported that by rotating livestock, the ranch "has been able to increase plant density and forage diversity and production, as well as reduce runoff and soil erosion."
"No one agency, industry or individual is to blame for poor rangelands," said Bill Hopkin, who is director of the state's Grazing Improvement Program and is also spearheading the project. "It's going to take a cooperative effort to improve the landscape... (Click here to read the full article)
Texas Rancher An Unlikely Environmentalist
The NPR Website, Feb. 2010
Ranchers in central Texas aren't known for their fondness for government regulation or the Endangered Species Act. But one rancher — a former vacuum cleaner salesman turned fried chicken tycoon — has become a champion of land stewardship and habitat restoration. And it's rubbing off on his fellow ranchers.
David Bamberger converted 5,500 acres of some of the most badly damaged and overgrazed hill country in Texas into a showpiece of environmental restoration. Bamberger has been hailed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and has won the state's top voluntary land stewardship award... (Click here to read the full article) || Audio (mp3)
How Cows (Grass-Fed Only) Could Save the Planet
The TIME Magazine Website, Jan. 2010
"Conventional cattle raising is like mining. It's unsustainable, because you're just taking without putting anything back. But when you rotate cattle on grass, you change the equation. You put back more than you take."
"Much of the carbon footprint of beef comes from growing grain to feed the animals, which requires fossil-fuel-based fertilizers, pesticides, transportation," says Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma. "Grass-fed beef has a much lighter carbon footprint." Indeed, although grass-fed cattle may produce more methane than conventional ones (high-fiber plants are harder to digest than cereals), their net emissions are lower because they help the soil sequester carbon... (Click here to read the full article)
Superior Nutrition from the Meat of Free-Range Animals.
The healthiertalk Website, Jan. 2010
If you only needed one reason to eat beef from free-range livestock, omega-3 content would be an excellent reason. Grass-fed animals produce meat that's very high in omega-3 fatty acids compared to factory-farmed animals that are fattened with grain feed.
"This is one reason why meat-eaters of a century ago were generally in better health than meat-eaters of today. But omega-3 is just one of the healthy benefits. Here are five more reasons to choose grass-fed beef over factory-farmed beef: Higher vitamin E content, Higher vitamin A content, Higher conjugated linoleic acid content, Lower caloric content, Lower levels of chemical pesticides and herbicides... (Click here to read the full article)
How We Are Building Soils With Nothing But “Wasted” Grass
by Greg Judy
"... I purposely took the tour group out into the middle of the field so that they could see first hand how thick, diverse and lush the forage was.
Several people were sweating and gasping for breath when I finally stopped in the middle of the field. The grass/legume pasture was so thick that people were having trouble walking through it, myself included!."
"Several people in the tour group asked me, “Well, aren’t the cattle going to waste a lot of this forage if you try and graze it first?” I responded that nothing in high density grazing is wasted if it is trampled on the ground. We are feeding our soil microbes, earthworms, laying down ground surface litter, building soil, increasing organic matter, preventing erosion... (Click here to read the full article)
How Cows Can Save Us All
The food.change.org Website, Jan. 2010
"If we just let cows eat grass would would wipe out three problems in one? It couldn't really be that simple, could it?
Actually, it's even simpler, and even Time magazine has gotten wind of it. The mainstream weekly reports that allowing cows to eat grass as nature intended would also solve the climate crisis."
"When cows graze, they boost the carbon-absorption capabilities of the soil by packing decaying matter back into the ground. And if we sent all the cows in the world out to pasture, we could capture the total equivalent of the world's greenhouse-gas emissions. Agriculture -- in large part feedlot cows -- currently contributes almost a fifth of global emissions... (Click here to read the full article)
Report on Usefullness of Grasslands In Mitigating Climate Change
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Website, Jan. 2010
Grasslands have vast untapped potential to mitigate climate change by absorbing and storing CO2, according to a new report by FAO. Pastures and rangelands represent a carbon sink that could be greater than forests if properly managed.
Improved management practices restoring organic matter to grassland soils, reducing erosion and decreasing losses from burning and overgrazing can therefore help sequester large amounts of carbon ... A feasible target would be to place 5-10 percent of global grazing lands under carbon sequestration management by 2020, which could store 184 million tonnes of carbon a year ... added carbon improves the soil’s water retention capacity and thus its ability to withstand drought... (Click here to read the full article)
Multi-paddock grazing provides efficiency and profits for ranchers
The EurekAlert (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Website, Jan. 2010
Short grazing periods on multiple paddocks within a pasture can not only restore forage conditions, but also profit margins, according to a Texas AgriLife Research scientist. Dr. Richard Teague, AgriLife Research range ecologist in Vernon, has been studying the benefits of multi-paddock grazing for the past eight years.
"He found the multi-paddock managers were able to carry many more animals, have more forage than their neighbors and have excellent wildlife habitat. They also achieved high levels of animal performance per acre while equaling the vegetation composition, soil cover, soil carbon, soil health and infiltration rates measured on ranches under light continuous grazing. Multi-paddock grazing management offers a more sustainable and productive alternative ...(Click here to read the full article)
Belching Cows Can Help to Rescue Our Planet
The Times Online (UK) Website, Jan. 2010
Though methane from ruminant animals undoubtedly adds to greenhouse gases, they can play a far more important role in cutting carbon dioxide.
"Pioneering US farmers believe they could become a key weapon in the climate change battle.Scientists have long been aware of grassland’s ability to capture or “sequester” carbon. Grass leaves take in carbon dioxide from the air, converting it to sugars by photosynthesis. Some of the resulting carbon compounds are transferred to the roots and released into the soil ... (Click here to read the full article)
When it comes to beef, should you go against the grain?
We investigate
The Australian Women's Health Website, Dec. 2009
Environmentalists, vegos, animal-rights activists – the list of people who have a beef with meat continues to grow. But for a lot of us, a barbecued steak goes hand in hand with summer. So what’s a carnivore with a conscience to do?
"First of all, know what your meat was eating. “Grain-fed” seems to be a selling point on menus, but do you really know what it means? Research actually shows that beef from grass-fed cattle is leaner, more nutritious and less costly to the planet... (Click here to read the full article)
USDA Announces $17 Million in Grants
to Train Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
The USDA Website, Nov 2009
The USDA today announced the award of more than $17 million in grants to 29 institutions to address the needs of beginning farmers and ranchers and enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of U.S. agriculture. HMI was awarded $639,301.
"Beginning farmers and ranchers face unique challenges and need educational and training programs to enhance their profitability and long term sustainability," Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said. "The training and education provided through these grants will help ensure the success of the next generation of farmers and ranchers... (Click here to read the full article)
New Zealand - The value of grassland to the economy
The Meat Trade News Daily Website, Nov 2009
The Pasture Renewal Charitable Trust’s report shows there is huge potential for all farmers in pastoral agriculture to increase returns through pasture renewal.
“Based on the latest payout, an increase of just one tonne of dry matter per year over the 1.96 million hectares in dairy would increase farmgate returns by well over a billion dollars...“What we as farmers have to draw from the Trust’s report is the importance of strategic planning for pasture renewal...
(Click here to read the full article)
Livestock Can Help Rangelands Recover from Fires
The USDA Agricultural Research Service Website, Nov 2009
A 14-year study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Oregon found that rangelands that have been grazed by cattle recover from fires more effectively than rangelands that have been protected from livestock.
"These surprising findings could impact management strategies for native plant communities where ecological dynamics are shifting because of climate change, invasive weeds and other challenges... (Click here to read the full article)
Greener Diet Reduces Dairy Cows’ Methane Burps
The ABC News Website, July 2009
Greener cows: Farmers change their cows' diets to reduce burps, major source of greenhouse gas. The gas cows belch is the dairy industry's biggest greenhouse gas contributor, research shows, most of it emitted from the front and not the back end of the cow.
"I just figured a cow was a cow and they were going to do whatever they were going to do in terms of cow things for gas," said Dellert. "It was pretty shocking to me that just being organic wasn't enough... Now they're out grazing on grass in the pasture... and the farm's vet bills have gone down... (Click here to read the full article)
The Issue Is Factory Farming, Not Meat Eating
The Moderate Voice Website, October 2009
Several recent studies show that pasture and grassland areas used for livestock reduce global warming by acting as carbon sinks. Compared to cropland, perennial pastures used for grazing can decrease soil erosion by 80 percent and markedly improve water quality, Minnesota’s Land Stewardship Project research has found...
"In contrast to factory farming, well-managed, non-industrialized animal farming minimizes greenhouse gases and can even benefit the environment. For example, properly timed cattle grazing can increase vegetation by as much as 45 percent, North Dakota State University researchers have found... (Click here to read the full article)
Irish Grassland Sinks its Roots into Carbon Dioxide
The EcoSmart Blog (UK), October 2009
A recent study from University College Cork and Teagasc in Ireland found that Ireland’s southern grasslands alone can take heavy amounts of carbon dioxide from the air...
"Ireland has over 7 billion acres of managed grasslands. These grasslands are monitored by Ireland’s EPA and the farmers who live there. The grasslands were found to trap 11,000-18,000 kilograms (24,000 to 39,000 pounds) of carbon dioxide per every 2.47 acres a year...with proper management, the grasslands of Ireland could be one of the central fronts in the war on global warming... (Click here to read the full article)
The Other Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis in Global Land Use
The Yale Edu Website, October 2009
As the international community focuses on climate change as the great challenge of our era, it is ignoring another looming problem — the global crisis in land use.
"With agricultural practices already causing massive ecological impact, the world must now find new ways to feed its burgeoning population and launch a "Greener" Revolution...
(Click here to read the full article)
Livestock vital in fight against climate change
The Farmer's Guardian Website (UK), Sept. 2009
A LEADING scientist has issued a robust rebuttal to those who claim livestock are the biggest contributors to climate change. Dr David Garwes, an independent livestock scientist, said grassland farmers made a considerable contribution to food security while continuing to reduce their environmental impact.
"More than 60 per cent of British agricultural land is grassland and much of it, particularly the hills and uplands, is unsuitable for other crops. Semi-permanent rough grazing and improved grasslands play a vital role in locking up carbon dioxide and regulating the flow of rain into water courses...
(Click here to read the full article)
Healthy Soil Bacteria Absorb More Methane Per Day
Than a Cow Produces in an Entire Year
The Australian Broadcasting Company Website
Flatulent cows may now graze in peace as agricultural science has found the greenhouse gas methane can be absorbed by soil ...research on native grasslands has found healthy soil bacteria absorb more methane per day than a cow produces in an entire year.
"We have a good news story and the farming community needs good news stories," says Professor Mark Adams, agricultural sustainability researcher and Dean of Agriculture at Sydney University... (Click here to read the full article)
Eating Meat for the Environment
The Utne Reader Website, July 2009
"Not all meat is created equal", Lisa Hamilton writes for Audubon. Some methane production is unavoidable (file this fact under “cow burps”), but “animals reared on organic pasture have a different climate equation from those raised in confinement on imported feed.”
In large-scale farming confinement systems, manure flows into (disgusting) lagoons, where its decomposition releases millions of tons of methane and nitrous oxide into the air every year. “On pasture, that same manure is simply assimilated back into the soil with a carbon cost close to zero.” (Click here to read the full article)
Unconventional Farmers: Let Them Eat Meat
Audubon.org Website, July 2009
Much of livestock’s emissions come as a result of dismantling the natural farm system and replacing it with an artificial environment. Some would argue that pasture-raised animals are just the lesser of two evils ... but for a sustainable farm system, animals are essential.
... by his carbon calculation the best option is to return that fertility by using livestock, particularly cows. They do more than keep his soil rich. When managed properly, cattle can boost soil’s ability to sequester carbon.” (Click here to read the full article)
In Defense of the Cow: How Eating Meat
Could Help Slow Climate Change
The treehugger.com Website, July 2009
Should we be eating more beef in order to slow global warming?
It sounds counterintuitive, but it may be so: Cattle could be part of the whole ecological equation to solving climate change and restoring healthy, bio-diverse ecosystems. Cows can help more than harm if they are sustainably raised.
"When the first plows turned the rich soils of the Midwest grasslands, some soils were 20% carbon. Now, after years of chemical farming and cultivation, many soils are 5% carbon or even less. As a result, that “lost” carbon now lives in our atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Prior to our cultivation of the Midwest, (grazing animals) played an important role in healthy soil ecology..." (Click here to read the full article)
The Amazing Benefits of Grass-Fed Meat
The Mother Earth News Website, June 2009
Converting cropland to perennial pastures produces healthier meat. Managed, intensive grazing builds fertile soil and combats climate change by using grass to pump carbon back into the soil where it belongs.
"A diverse collection of pioneers across the nation is raising not bison, but mostly grass-fed beef and dairy — an enterprise that can scale up quickly.
We could convert millions of acres of ravaged industrial grain fields to permanent pastures and see no decline in beef and dairy production... (Click here to read the full article)
Climate bill won't work without farm role: USDA
The Reuters News Website, June 2009
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The climate change bill being drafted in the U.S. Senate is unlikely to succeed unless it gives farmers and ranchers a role in locking carbon into the land, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Tuesday.
"A carbon-offset program will need the support of thousands of farmers to reduce greenhouse gases by meaningful amounts ... U.S. farm and forest land absorbs more carbon than emitted by agricultural operations ... A successful U.S. carbon-offset program would show the world how agriculture can help control emissions... (Click here to read the full article)
The benefits of grazing
The California Country Magazine Website, June 2009
Cattle grazing, and other good range management practices, can add greatly to the health and vitality of California's native landscape. Through a variety of wildlife management techniques, the Work Family Ranch has more than 300 different species thriving there, including tule elk, which at one time were nearly extinct. Along with that, there are several hundred head of beef cattle and a small herd of horses.
" ... the family manages the ranch using techniques very different than the ones employed by early California ranchers. These days the Works focus on a “whole system approach” that takes into consideration the needs of a complex environment... (Click here to read the full article)
Greening the Herds: A New Diet to Cap Gas
The New York Times Website, 2009
HIGHGATE, Vt. — Chewing her cud on a recent sunny morning, Libby, a 1,400-pound Holstein, paused to do her part in the battle against global warming, emitting a fragrant burp. Libby and the 74 other dairy cows on Guy Choiniere’s farm here are at the heart of an experiment to determine whether a change in diet will help them belch less methane...
" ... cows at 15 farms across Vermont have had their grain feed adjusted to include more plants like alfalfa and flaxseed — substances that, unlike corn or soy, mimic the spring grasses that the animals evolved long ago to eat ... the methane output of Mr. Choiniere’s herd had dropped 18 percent. Meanwhile, milk production has held its own. (Click here to read the full article)
Durham Ranch: Saving the Earth through Cattle Management
The Peninsula Food News Website, 2009
“We would only have to improve carbon percentage by 1% on our 450 million hectares of agricultural soil in Australia and we could sequester all of the planet’s legacy load of carbon,” states Christine Jones, PhD. ...
" ... You can think of soils as a bank account that has the capacity to really build up very large quantities of capital moving into the future.” James Hansen, PhD, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies adds, “Our agricultural practices could be modified to bring CO2 back down much more quickly ... (Click here to read the full article)
Partner Profile: Holistic Management International
The Land Report: Magazine of the American Landowner Website,
May 2009
Peter Holter and the fine folks at Holistic Management International (HMI) are valuable partners of The Land Report. We believe in their mission, and once you learn more about them we think you will be supportive as well ...
" ... I was anti-cattle and thought desert grasslands could best be restored by de-stocking..." That changed when he learned about Holistic Planned Grazing “it's all about getting animals to the right place at the right time for the right reason.” ... (Click here to read the full article)
Articles from 2008 and earlier
Marketwire on-line Journal, June 2008
"Our Defining Moment" on Climate Change: Pay Attention to Soil Health
Business Wire, April 2008: “Re-populating Rural America: Blessing or Curse?”
Reuters on-line Journal, January 2008
Holistic Management International Awarded USAID Funding to Address Drought
Disaster
Albuquerque
Tribune Commentary, November 2007
Using Goats in Wild Lands, Urban Areas will Aid Environment, Reduce Wildfire
Risk
EON, November 2007
Holistic Management International Says Goats Help Prevent Fire
Desert
Journal, November 2007
How Many Times Must we watch the West Burn?
New
Mexico Business Weekly, November 2007
Chew on This: Four-Legged Firefighters
Highlights for the International Gathering 2007
Kate
Manchester's Kitchen Sync Podcast, October 2007
Healthy Land: Sustainable Future
Drovers on-line Journal, October 2007
Livestock's Long Shadow?
New Mexico Business Weekly,
October 2007
Planting Seeds: Group works to enrich soil, grass
New
West Unfiltered, August 2007:
Holistic Management International COO Peter Holter Reacts to
Recent News Reports about Rising Prices
Albuquerque
Tribune Commentary, August 2007
Grazing the grasslands could help the environment, economy
HMI makes it big in Times Square- again!
All Things
Considered, August 2007
Radio Commentary: Rising Prices for Corn and Corn Products (MP3)
Click here to listen to the MP3 | Click here for a text PDF of this radio commentary
Yahoo!
News, July 2007
Cut Meat and Dairy Consumption to Reduce Our Carbon Footprint?
Not Necessarily, Says Holistic Management International COO
GreenMoney
Journal, Summer 2007
Moving the World towards Sustainability
Colorado
College News and Events, March 2007
Allan Savory Speaks at Colorado College (MP3)
PRWeb Interview,
January 2007
Organic Food Producers face challenges going "mass market" (MP3)
Albuquerque
Tribune, January 2007
Alternative Fuels: Animals are the Key
Durango Herald, November
2006
Finding Common Ground with Maasai Ranchers (PDF)
Stockman
Grassfarmer, June 2006
Fight global warming by increasing organic matter in the soil (PDF)
Wyoming Game and Fish
Department
Response of Prairie Stream Riparian Buffers to Livestock Exclusion and
Short-Duration Grazing in Northeast Wyoming-A Pre-and Post-Photographic
Comparison (PDF)
Flood and drought: two sides of the same coin? (PDF)
Other features
Public Affairs Friday, December 15, 2006, KUNM-FM/ 8am-8:30am– Sunny Moyo with of the Africa Center for Holistic Management – encouraging news from Africa: improving food and livestock production, restoration of communal lands, and watershed rejuvenation. With host Ron Chapman.
Morning Edition and All Things Considered Friday, December 1, 2006, KUNM-FM/ – Peter Holter: Commentary on Holistic Management’s positive impact on Organic Food – a response to Business Week Magazine.
SmallBiz America with David Wolf (Syndicated) Saturday, November 11, 2006, 10 a.m., 1350-AM. Actual segment: 10:12-10:30 a.m.
All Things Considered Friday, September 29, 2006, KUNM / NPR
Commentary on drought and flooding by Peter Holter.
Conscious Talk Radio Friday, September 15, 2006 8:30
Seattle-based syndicated series dealing with issues of human dimensions,
decision making, and sustainability.
KSFR-FM / Santa Fe Tuesday, August 22, 2006, 4 p.m.
“Journey Home: Sustainability Tuesday” with Diego Mulligan.
Women’s Focus Show Saturday, September 9, 2006 Noon, KUNM-FM: with Carol Boss.
Holistic Management® International has launched an aggressive effort to let the world know more about HM practices, and to establish HMI as a recognized leader in the realm of improving land health.
We have forged relationships with PR Newswire, and are distributing relevant news stories to 4200 media points, and news outlets in 135 countries. We have also signed on with PRWebDirect, which gives us access to the on-line YAHOO! News system, as well as a network of journalists who opt-in for information on the environment.
A regular stream of commentary, op-ed, and media updates will be released through these channels, as well as to local and regional news sources in New Mexico and throughout the Rocky Mountain region.
Please bookmark this page and visit again for updates and events.