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GRASS AND CATTLE

GRASS AND CATTLE. at West Wind Farm, Greenbrier County, WV by Martha Holdridge. Feedlot - Oklahoma Typical source of commercial supermarket beef. Standing in excrement + no grass + unnatural major feed source (grain) = need for antibiotics, hormones to prevent illness and promote rapid growth.

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GRASS AND CATTLE

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  1. GRASS AND CATTLE at West Wind Farm, Greenbrier County, WV by Martha Holdridge

  2. Feedlot - Oklahoma Typical source of commercial supermarket beef Standing in excrement + no grass + unnatural major feed source (grain) = need for antibiotics, hormones to prevent illness and promote rapid growth

  3. Management-Intensive Grazing (MIG) • Paddock fence - polywire electric • Water trough with float valve • Daily moves to fresh paddock • Paddock rest of 14 to 28 days • Kelp/salt mix

  4. Rotational Grazing Efficient and effective Cattle - 100% forage diet healthy meat/milk Ongoing pasture fertilization dung + carbon cycle + nitrogen cycle Pasture rest - then vigorous re-growth Protects best grasses Steers are moved before eating grasses too short At WWF, daily moves to fresh pasture Steers are happy to move

  5. Soil Tests Show Startling Benefit ORGANIC MATTER tested by WVU soil testing service 2004 4.1%  2007 8.3% Asked WVU Prof.: Why so great a change!! Answer: “You’ve been sequestering carbon!” 4 tons SOC / acre in 5 years = 15 tons CO2 Why? How? Organic pasture management combined with daily rotational grazing.

  6. How Does Cattle Eating Grass Lead to Carbon Sequestration? Grass leaves and roots are a product of photosynthesis (sun+CO2+green plant+water). When cattle eat grass leaves, the roots partially die back, leaving organic matter in the soil. That organic matter is 57% carbon (C).- It is called soil organic carbon (SOC). Result: C of CO2 in air is drawn into the soil Yield: more soil, better soil = SOIL REGENERATION Rotational grazing  pulsing of grass/root growth  pulsing of carbon sequestration

  7. Organic vs Chemical Management Organic soils enhance soil life, grass root structure, and mineral nutrient uptake. Managed grazing causes root dieback that increases SOC. Chemical Organic http://www.wtamu.edu/~crobinson/SoilFert/section2/AR2007091900472.html

  8. Clover Draws Nitrogen from the Air Clover root nodules hold nitrogen in soil for gradual use by both clover and grass

  9. FossilFueltoRaiseaSteer=5barrels/283gal. Gas/diesel/oil: for plowing, planting, cultivating, harvesting, drying corn/soy beans, transport of animals& grain to feedlots. Natural gas: used to produce chemical fertilizers, pesticides. Credit: National Geographic, June 2004

  10. Fossil Fuel to Raise a Steer on Pasture: Less than 20 gal. (examples) Estimates by2 NE Pasture Consortium members:17,15 gal. No fuel for grain production, chemical fertilizers, or pesticides Minimal fossil fuel for spreading lime, making hay, transport. .

  11. West Wind Farm Management Intensive Grazing

  12. Useful Links Eat Wild by Jo Robinson www.eatwild.com Rodale Institute www.rodaleinstitute.org Amazing Grazing Directory www.futureharvestcasa.org/publications West Wind Farm www.westwindfarm.biz/ martha@westwindfarm.biz; Tel: 301-229-2813

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