From the Barns: A win-win-win

Where does our time get away to? I last wrote on June 7 and here we are at July 5. That was a screaming-fast month. Looking back at the calendar, I can see a lot. Fill the spaces in with the work here at River Oak and use a little for true downtime and, yes, that is how we arrived here post-Independence Day so very quickly.

We did receive some rain this week. Finally have 1.5 inches in the gauge, but still missed the larger amounts that those close by received. That was the first rain we have had in over a month. We had been warned many times about tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, wind, hail and heavy rain, but missed five straight systems during June.

Despite the lack of rainfall and some heat, cows and calves look terrific with shiny coats, good body condition, few flies and no pinkeye. Our pastures have needed the rest periods we provide in our system and consequently are still green and growing. In the heat of the summer and any extended dry spells, cows sure appreciate being moved to more green grass.

During my travels, one question seems to be always popping up, one which many producers are not sure of answers. That is: What is regenerative agriculture? Unlike some buzzwords, regenerative requires a definition with a few important elements. I will try and cover those here from the principles that I see in grazing:

• Soil — Regenerative grazing focuses first on soil health. Two principles come to mind: Keeping the soil covered ensures that it does not blow or wash away and that allows for other practices to assure soil health; avoiding soil disturbance such as tilling, fire, pesticide applications and even traditional grazing. However, grazing done right removes grazing from this list.

• Plants — Forages using solar power to keep soil covered, then add organic matter when trampled or consumed by animals. Overgrazing must be avoided at all costs.

• Water — The water cycle assures water travels, but most importantly moves into the soil that has high absorption ability due to the root structure, insect and microbe presence and high organic matter content made possible by the relationship of plants and animals.

• Animals — Animals grazing use hoof action to churn manure, urine and trampled plants into the soil providing nutrients and organic matter to enhance greater water absorption and consequently the regrowth of plants.

That is my oversimplification of regenerative grazing, but an explanation nevertheless of a revolution in grazing that is a win-win-win for our land, our animals and our profitability.

July and August were once my favorite months of the year. Now, not so much. There are challenges ahead for man and cattle. Hot, dry days make plants, cattle and man unhappy. Stay safe and sane.