2. Audience InformationAudience Information
1 –What are you grazing – cattle, horses,1 –What are you grazing – cattle, horses,
sheep, goats, pigs, poultry - other?sheep, goats, pigs, poultry - other?
2 –Have you heard of holistic management2 –Have you heard of holistic management
before?before?
3 – Have you read something by or about3 – Have you read something by or about
Allan Savory?Allan Savory?
4 – How often do you move your lifestock?4 – How often do you move your lifestock?
Never, monthly, weekly, daily?Never, monthly, weekly, daily?
3. Presentation will be in 3 partsPresentation will be in 3 parts
A quick overview of HMA quick overview of HM
A look at some key features ofA look at some key features of
Holistic Management PlannedHolistic Management Planned
GrazingGrazing
A question and answer periodA question and answer period
4. Holistic Management is aHolistic Management is a
decision making processdecision making process
Developed by Allan SavoryDeveloped by Allan Savory
and refined by decades of useand refined by decades of use
It is inclusive – involving theIt is inclusive – involving the
whole farm management teamwhole farm management team
5. ““Holistic Goal”Holistic Goal”
Process involves the full management teamProcess involves the full management team
developing a “Holistic Goal”developing a “Holistic Goal”
The Holisticgoal has 3 partsThe Holisticgoal has 3 parts
Quality of LifeQuality of Life
What weWhat we valuevalue in Lifein Life
Forms of ProductionForms of Production
What weWhat we DODO to achieve Quality of Lifeto achieve Quality of Life
Future Resource BaseFuture Resource Base
What we needWhat we need to sustainto sustain quality of Lifequality of Life
6. Date & Title
Quality of Life -
What we value in Life
Forms of Production -
What we DO to achieve the
Quality of Life
Future Resource Base -
What we need to sustain the
Quality of Life
7. A number of Tools have beenA number of Tools have been
developed to help farm familiesdeveloped to help farm families
move toward their Holistic Goalmove toward their Holistic Goal
Seven Testing QuestionsSeven Testing Questions
are used when making decisions and helpare used when making decisions and help
families make choices that take them towardfamilies make choices that take them toward
their goal and achieve a triple bottom line oftheir goal and achieve a triple bottom line of
socially, environmentally and economicallysocially, environmentally and economically
appropriate decisions. One of the 7 is “Doesappropriate decisions. One of the 7 is “Does
this action address thethis action address the rootroot cause of thecause of the
problem?problem?
9. The Financial Planning ProcessThe Financial Planning Process
Encourages farm families to plan for aEncourages farm families to plan for a
significant profit.significant profit. Savory suggests 50% ofSavory suggests 50% of
the gross income!the gross income!
not just by increasing income but bynot just by increasing income but by
controlling costs!controlling costs!
and using a “weak link analysis” toand using a “weak link analysis” to
determine where they can best spenddetermine where they can best spend
money to address the “weak link” in eachmoney to address the “weak link” in each
of their enterprisesof their enterprises
10. Financial Weak LinkFinancial Weak Link
The WEAK LINK is the link in the chain ofThe WEAK LINK is the link in the chain of
Production that is most limiting the performance ofProduction that is most limiting the performance of
that enterprise.that enterprise.
Need to determine which is the weakest link in theNeed to determine which is the weakest link in the
chain of productionchain of production for each enterprisefor each enterprise..
RESOURCE PRODUCT MARKETINGRESOURCE PRODUCT MARKETING
CONVERSION CONVERSION CONVERSIONCONVERSION CONVERSION CONVERSION
Sunlight and/or Products Marketing ofSunlight and/or Products Marketing of
raw resources and / or productsraw resources and / or products
including money services and /or servicesincluding money services and /or services
11. Land Planning ProcessLand Planning Process
helps farm families develop a longhelps farm families develop a long
term plan for infrastructure andterm plan for infrastructure and
landscape improvements.landscape improvements.
which are donewhich are done when they will paywhen they will pay
for themselvesfor themselves as part of the financialas part of the financial
planning.planning.
12. Feed back LoopFeed back Loop
Make your plan but assume it willMake your plan but assume it will
bebe WRONGWRONG..
Then figure out where to monitorThen figure out where to monitor
for early signs that it is notfor early signs that it is not
working so you can adjust it.working so you can adjust it.
PLAN-MONITOR-CONTROL-PLAN-MONITOR-CONTROL-
REPLANREPLAN
13. 10 Principles10 Principles
1 – Nature Functions in Wholes1 – Nature Functions in Wholes
2 – Understand the Environment You2 – Understand the Environment You
ManageManage
Brittle and Non-Brittle EnvironmentsBrittle and Non-Brittle Environments
3 – Livestock Can Improve Land Health3 – Livestock Can Improve Land Health
Mimicking wild herding with predatorsMimicking wild herding with predators
4 – Time is More Important than4 – Time is More Important than
NumbersNumbers
14. 10 Principles Continued10 Principles Continued
5 – Define What You Are Managing5 – Define What You Are Managing
6 – State What You Want-Clear6 – State What You Want-Clear
HolisticgoalHolisticgoal
7 – Bare Ground is Public Enemy # 17 – Bare Ground is Public Enemy # 1
8 – Play With a Full Deck8 – Play With a Full Deck
9 – Test Your Decisions9 – Test Your Decisions
10 – Monitor For Results10 – Monitor For Results
16. Things particularly relevant toThings particularly relevant to
GrazingGrazing
Understanding of the ecosystemUnderstanding of the ecosystem
Brittleness ScaleBrittleness Scale
Relationship of grazing period and recoveryRelationship of grazing period and recovery
period to plant performance.period to plant performance.
Role of animal impactRole of animal impact
Planned Grazing ChartsPlanned Grazing Charts
17. Understanding the EcosystemUnderstanding the Ecosystem
Lets us work with itLets us work with it
Working with it increasesWorking with it increases
Productivity of our sunlightProductivity of our sunlight
Reduces stress on our animalsReduces stress on our animals
Working with it decreasesWorking with it decreases
Need for off farm inputsNeed for off farm inputs
Workload and stress on farmersWorkload and stress on farmers
18. Brittleness ScaleBrittleness Scale
Brittle – very dry – desert most brittleBrittle – very dry – desert most brittle
Non-Brittle – moist – rain forest –Non-Brittle – moist – rain forest –
Brittle and Non-Brittle EnvironmentsBrittle and Non-Brittle Environments
Respond differently to same managementRespond differently to same management
Rest – Non-Brittle – moves to more complexRest – Non-Brittle – moves to more complex
Rest – Brittle - degradesRest – Brittle - degrades
Brittle Environments – Biological CommunityBrittle Environments – Biological Community
In the rumen of grazing animals part of the yearIn the rumen of grazing animals part of the year
22. Increased Land ProductivityIncreased Land Productivity
doubling stocking ratesdoubling stocking rates
–– like getting a second farm –like getting a second farm –
some of the brittle environmentssome of the brittle environments
–– tripled stocking rates.tripled stocking rates.
Increased soil organic matterIncreased soil organic matter
And Carbon SequestrationAnd Carbon Sequestration
Improved water infiltration and holdingImproved water infiltration and holding
Improved mineral cyclingImproved mineral cycling
Increased Energy Capture – Solar FarmersIncreased Energy Capture – Solar Farmers
23. September 3, 2008 – Regrowth from Hay
cut June 24, 2008 – 64 day recovery –
Middle A
Ontario is NOT Zimbabwe
24. We are Non-BrittleWe are Non-Brittle
How can Holistic Management Help Us?How can Holistic Management Help Us?
Understanding RecoveryUnderstanding Recovery
Role of Animal ImpactRole of Animal Impact
Control of “Time” and “Numbers”Control of “Time” and “Numbers”
Choosing Grazing and Recovery PeriodsChoosing Grazing and Recovery Periods
Managing for the plants – improveManaging for the plants – improve
productivityproductivity
Planned Grazing ChartsPlanned Grazing Charts
25. Grazing and PastureGrazing and Pasture
managementmanagement
At the right placeAt the right place
At the right timeAt the right time
For the right reasonFor the right reason
26. YOU SHOULD NEVERYOU SHOULD NEVER
BE SO BUSYBE SO BUSY
DOINGDOING WHAT YOU ARE DOINGWHAT YOU ARE DOING
THAT YOU DON’TTHAT YOU DON’T
HAVE TIME TOHAVE TIME TO THINKTHINK
ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOINGABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING
27. The Grazing Chart lets you see all your paddocks and
livestock in one place. It also lets you keep track of
things like recovery periods, breeding, calving, planned
holidays, environmental constraints on some paddocks,
rainfall, herd animal units etc.
28. If things aren’t working or there is a problemIf things aren’t working or there is a problem
We have 3 choices:We have 3 choices:
1. DO NOTHING1. DO NOTHING
2. DO THE SAME HARDER2. DO THE SAME HARDER
3.3. MAKE A CHANGEMAKE A CHANGE
29. Story of 2012 droughtStory of 2012 drought
- The grazing chart helped us realize- The grazing chart helped us realize
something was amiss in MAYsomething was amiss in MAY
- The testing questions helped us decide- The testing questions helped us decide
to buy hay then rather than wait.to buy hay then rather than wait.
- The pasture planning we did meant we- The pasture planning we did meant we
ended up pasturing our animalsended up pasturing our animals
throughout the summer and fall andthroughout the summer and fall and
didn’t start feeding hay till Middidn’t start feeding hay till Mid
November 2012.November 2012.
30. Holistic Planned Grazing:Holistic Planned Grazing:
Coordinates two land managementCoordinates two land management toolstools
Grazing and Animal impactGrazing and Animal impact
HM – using animals as “Tools”.HM – using animals as “Tools”.
Uses fourUses four management guidelinesmanagement guidelines
Population management (stocking rate)Population management (stocking rate)
TimeTime
Stock densityStock density
Herd effectHerd effect
31. Willows the Day of Grazing
Salt and Mineral feeder in
the willows
Animal Impact and
Herd Effect
32. Cattle moving into the area – some going
after the mineral & salt immediately
34. Recovery PeriodRecovery Period
The length of time it takes a plant to recoverThe length of time it takes a plant to recover
fully from being grazed.fully from being grazed.
How can we tell if a plant has Recovered?How can we tell if a plant has Recovered?
It starts to work on REPRODUCTION notIt starts to work on REPRODUCTION not
REGENERATION.REGENERATION.
It starts to flowerIt starts to flower
It has replenished its roots and energy reserves andIt has replenished its roots and energy reserves and
can start on reproduction.can start on reproduction.
36. Overgrazing can OccurOvergrazing can Occur
1 – If the Recovery Period is too short1 – If the Recovery Period is too short
Animals return to a paddock too soonAnimals return to a paddock too soon
and Plants are regrazed before theyand Plants are regrazed before they
fully recover.fully recover.
2 – If the Grazing Period is too long2 – If the Grazing Period is too long
Re-growing plants are regrazed beforeRe-growing plants are regrazed before
the animals leave the paddockthe animals leave the paddock..
40. Feed Soil & LivestockFeed Soil & Livestock
• Monitor Daily GrazingMonitor Daily Grazing
Patterns.Patterns.
• Fresh Trampled Litter On TheFresh Trampled Litter On The
SoilSoil
• Proper Gut Fill On The leftProper Gut Fill On The left
Side In Front Of Hip Bone.Side In Front Of Hip Bone.
Greg Judy – comments & slides
41. Recovery Periods will vary!Recovery Periods will vary!
Depending on the time of yearDepending on the time of year
AND the residual left afterAND the residual left after
grazing AND the weather!grazing AND the weather!
In the early spring?In the early spring?
Late spring early summer?Late spring early summer?
Mid summer?Mid summer?
Fall?Fall?
42. Lengths for Grazing PeriodsLengths for Grazing Periods
Fast Growth – 3 days or lessFast Growth – 3 days or less
Slow Growth – 6 to 7 days ???Slow Growth – 6 to 7 days ???
Some folks experimenting withSome folks experimenting with
very short graze periods, rapidvery short graze periods, rapid
moves, high stock density.moves, high stock density.
43. Neil Dennis, Saskatchewan, Stock Density,
1,000 animal units per acre. 1 million pounds
of beef on an acre – Moving every couple of
hours.
To get a similar stock density with 30 animal
units they would be in a paddock 26 by 50 feet.
43 square feet/animal.
44. New Zealand Batt Latches – timed gate
release. Neil sets up a number of pasture
strips of about an acre and then has the Batt
Latches timed to open every two hours.
The cattle keep moving forward into the
fresh pasture – they can go back to get to
the water truck.
45. Paddock #’s impact Grazing Time
and Recovery Period
# of Paddocks Grazing Period Recovery Period
1 150 days 0
2 75 days 75 days
4 38 days 112 days
8 19 days 131 days
16 9 days 141 days
16 with 3 passes 3 days 45 days
46. Electric fencingElectric fencing
They need to be trained to respect it.They need to be trained to respect it.
Makes it easier to subdivide pasturesMakes it easier to subdivide pastures
Moving animals frequently makes them easierMoving animals frequently makes them easier
to handle.to handle.
Can separate animals for shippingCan separate animals for shipping
Make temporary lanes to move animals to theMake temporary lanes to move animals to the
barn.barn.
Make temporary gates – no permanent laneMake temporary gates – no permanent lane
ways.ways.
49. Elapsed time – around a minute – moving into
Middle A – Sept. 3, 2008
50.
51.
52. Animal Impact on Wet SoilAnimal Impact on Wet Soil
One of my anxieties – in our Non-Brittle area.One of my anxieties – in our Non-Brittle area.
If animals are on small areas when they areIf animals are on small areas when they are
wet – looks pretty grimwet – looks pretty grim
But only a small area is affectedBut only a small area is affected
If there is adequate recovery period it is OKIf there is adequate recovery period it is OK
Planned Grazing can helpPlanned Grazing can help
Biologically active soil may also be importantBiologically active soil may also be important
53. May 16, 2008 – pasture before horses went in
– Section of West R
54. May 16, 2008 – West R – after the horses were on it for 1
day – wet weather - 3.25 inches of rain so far in May –
7/16 the night before. 4 horses on about 1/7 acre.
59. You are the Expert on your Farm!You are the Expert on your Farm!
Experiment with new ideas.Experiment with new ideas.
Severely graze a paddock.Severely graze a paddock.
Leave lots of residual inLeave lots of residual in
another.another.
Monitor what happens.Monitor what happens.
Each year will be different!Each year will be different!
60. Start SlowlyStart Slowly
Increase Stock DensityIncrease Stock Density
Paddock NumbersPaddock Numbers
And reducing Grazing PeriodAnd reducing Grazing Period
Maintain good gut fillMaintain good gut fill
And adequate recoveryAnd adequate recovery
Do for several yearsDo for several years
Before Increasing Stocking RateBefore Increasing Stocking Rate
61. HM Planned GrazingHM Planned Grazing
Just one element of Holistic ManagementJust one element of Holistic Management
Other elements includeOther elements include
Developing a Holistic GoalDeveloping a Holistic Goal
Financial PlanningFinancial Planning
Land PlanningLand Planning
Testing QuestionsTesting Questions
Feedback LoopFeedback Loop
62. For More InformationFor More Information
Tony & Fran McQuailTony & Fran McQuail
mcqufarm@hurontel.on.camcqufarm@hurontel.on.ca 519-528-2493519-528-2493
Holistic Management InternationalHolistic Management International
http://holisticmanagement.org/free-downloads/http://holisticmanagement.org/free-downloads/
http://www.ted.com/talks/allan_savory_how_to_http://www.ted.com/talks/allan_savory_how_to_
green_the_world_s_deserts_and_reverse_climgreen_the_world_s_deserts_and_reverse_clim
ate_changeate_change
