It's a common belief that cattle cause ecological destruction.
So common that Allan Savory, whose grazing framework has been used to regenerate 40 million acres, once held this belief.
That is, until he came across the work of a little-known Frenchman
So common that Allan Savory, whose grazing framework has been used to regenerate 40 million acres, once held this belief.
That is, until he came across the work of a little-known Frenchman
Andre Voisin was a French biochemist, farmer, and the originator of the theory of "rational grazing."
He would spend entire days simply observing his cows' grazing patterns, which led to his breakthrough in understanding how grazing can benefit the land.
He would spend entire days simply observing his cows' grazing patterns, which led to his breakthrough in understanding how grazing can benefit the land.
Drawing on his observations, scientific mind, and study of related disciplines, Voisin developed a set of guiding principles for what he called rational grazing
1)For grass to achieve its maximum productivity, it must be given a recovery period between grazing intervals
1)For grass to achieve its maximum productivity, it must be given a recovery period between grazing intervals
2)The time cows spend in one paddock should be short enough that they don’t regraze the same grass twice.
3)Cows must be fed the highest quality grass possible to obtain maximum yields
4)The grazier’s main objective is to grow forage. The animal is a tool to harvest the forage
3)Cows must be fed the highest quality grass possible to obtain maximum yields
4)The grazier’s main objective is to grow forage. The animal is a tool to harvest the forage
Voisin published a handful of books detailing his theories and principles.
One of his books, Grass Productivity, eventually made its way into the hands of a research biologist named Allan Savory, struggling to understand the rapidly deteriorating landscape surrounding him.
One of his books, Grass Productivity, eventually made its way into the hands of a research biologist named Allan Savory, struggling to understand the rapidly deteriorating landscape surrounding him.
Allan Savory had an unfavorable opinion of cattle and saw them as the cause of the ecological destruction in the arid parts of Africa.
Through Voisin’s book, Savory discovered that time is key in grazing management and animals could heal rather than degrade land based on time
Through Voisin’s book, Savory discovered that time is key in grazing management and animals could heal rather than degrade land based on time
Here is what Savory said:
“In discovering that time was key in grazing management, Voisin contributed more to science than he realized, for that discovery has helped us understand the cause of desertification.”
“In discovering that time was key in grazing management, Voisin contributed more to science than he realized, for that discovery has helped us understand the cause of desertification.”
Savory went on to found Holistic Management a land planning and decision making framework.
Central to Savory’s grazing system is the time animals spend in each paddock and the time plants are given to recover after grazing, the key insight he gained from Voisin.
Central to Savory’s grazing system is the time animals spend in each paddock and the time plants are given to recover after grazing, the key insight he gained from Voisin.
Today over 40 million acres of land are managed using Savory’s holistic management framework.
Holistic graziers have doubled the carrying capacity of their land, halved production costs, produced higher quality products and catalyzed a plethora of positive ecological benefits.
Holistic graziers have doubled the carrying capacity of their land, halved production costs, produced higher quality products and catalyzed a plethora of positive ecological benefits.
Allan Savory is now a household name, yet Andre Voisin remains largely unknown, like others who've made significant discoveries.
But, thanks to Savory’s open and inquisitive mind, Voisin’s work lives on today.
But, thanks to Savory’s open and inquisitive mind, Voisin’s work lives on today.
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