“Shall we not proceed immediately to help the present generation of farmers and to conserve the heritage of posterity…A little is being done here and there to check the loss—an infinitesimal part of what should be done.”- Dr. Hugh Hammond Bennett, Father of Soil Conservation 

Regenerative ranching isn’t a new trend or new technology. 

As ranchers and caretakers of the land, it’s our job to rebuild the framework to repair broken ecosystems caused by over-grazing.  

One part of regenerative ranching starts by getting down to the roots of the problem, soil health. If your soil isn’t thriving, your grass and crops aren’t generating to their fullest potential, and your cattle aren’t producing top quality beef.  

Providing your cattle with nutrient-filled grass and clean water is crucial for their overall well-being.  

Ranchers need to take a closer look at the mechanics of “letting the land rest.” Dividing regenerative ranching into four mechanics for a healthy pasture recovery includes: timing, stock density, frequency, and duration of grazing. This is an attempt to mimic nature and let cattle roam from pasture to pasture.  

Timing: Timing includes the duration of cattle grazing on a particular part of the pasture. With the rotational grazing technique, you can move cattle into different “paddocks” in your operation. This area can be divided by 2, 4, 6, or more, depending on which pastures need to rest.  This improves soil health and the diversity of plants. Paddocks can vary in size and shape. 

Stocking Density: This refers to how many animals you keep in a certain area. A stock density that is too high for a prolonged period of time places stress on the pasture ecosystem and can reduce cattle performance. To reduce this risk, divide pastures with plenty of room. Acreage per paddock or move cattle more frequently.   

Biodiversity: Some paddocks may need to be larger due to poorer soil or greater brush. You can increase plant diversity by increasing your animal diversity through co-grazing. Multiple species of animals eat diverse mixes of forages in pastures that are alive with micro- and macro-flora and fauna both above- and below ground. Each animal has a preferred plate of forage, a mix of grass, forbs and woody species.   For ranchers, it’s best to keep in mind the amount of forage on the landscape. If there is not enough forage, a supplement may be needed to meet nutritional requirements. 

Water and Fencing: For moving cattle from one area to another more often, ensure that herds have access to clean water. Whether that is one large trough that each paddock can access, or separate troughs throughout the ranch. Ranchers and farmers are leaning into temporary fencing options to make adaptable paddocks using electric polywire or virtual fencing to speed up the process. It’s wise to use high-quality polywire and keep the area maintained. You may want to mow a path for the electric fence to keep it clear of weeds. (For goats, using hot wire may not work, due to their curious nature. Use a net fence instead.  

By practicing regenerative grazing, the soil has a chance to restore nutrients back into the soil, yielding better grass for cows to consume.  

Listening to the land and taking care of the soil are our jobs as ranchers to continue the longevity of American ranching. Providing our cattle with the right nutrients and water is as simple and important as it gets.  

To learn more about how to monitor water better, contact your local Business Development Manager!

Sources:  

Regenerative Ranching: The Noble Research Institute,  

Soil Health: The Noble Research Institute