Ruminants
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To succesfuly convert the wide range of grasses, broadleaf, and misc vegetation to food we need ruminants, but which ones? This page intends to explore the common ruminants of goats, cattle, sheep and come up with an optimal grazing strategy for given landscapes.
See also: Rabbits
http://www.caf.wvu.edu/avs/sheep/PDF/Newsletters/NLSPRING05.pdf This study here suggests that given cattles strong preference for grass and goats ability to munch a grass and other vegetation that a mixed grazing system may be optimal. Sheep also can be thrown in the mix particularly if wool is desired. These could all be raised on the same pasture by rotating them through cells (see below).
Wanted: Some organic farmers are interested in unconventional, locally-adapted ruminants like buffalo etc. Some discussion of this would be cool
Goats
- http://www.kindergoats.com/ - Most people are not aware of a small meat/dairy goat called the Kinder [, spoken "Kin-dur".] It was developed over 30 years ago and has gained great success in competing against its larger cousins. This little goat will produce a gallon of milk a day, is much more feed efficient than other breeds, is small so easy to handle (especially the bucks) and is stocky so makes for better meat than the other dairy breeds. Another advantage over other breeds is that the Kinder will breed all year long so you can rotate your milking does and always have plenty of milk. The milk is also higher in protein and butterfat so better for making cheese. This little goat was developed for the small farmstead. The primary lady behind this breed is a long time prepper and has always believed the Kinder will get the job done when other goats fail. For further information, see KinderGoat.com or contact Pat Showalter, primary founder and president of the Kinder Goat Breeder's Association at kinderzed@aol.com.
Mob-grazing / cell-grazing
In the wild, herbivores gather together in tight groups for protection from predators. They graze a small area of pasture intensively, then move on to a different spot. By contrast, most farmers stock ruminants sparsely. Natural grazing is intensive; artificial grazing is extensive.
The form of grazing championed by The Savory Institute and Polyface Farms aims to replicate the natural grazing patterns of ruminants. The pasture is divided up into small cells by electric fencing connected to batteries. This fencing is very light and easy to rearrange. The entire herd is corralled into one cell at a very high density, and allowed to graze for one day, then moved on to the next cell. Each cell is rested and allowed to regrow while the livestock do their rounds of the pasture, one cell at a time. Permaculturalists will notice that this is the same method as the 'chicken tractor'; corralling livestock onto a small area for short periods of time to graze and improve the soil with trampling/scratching. After grazing, the cells are rested for as many days as it takes for the vegetation to grow back; you need to observe the growth of vegetation and return the livestock to the cell when the vegetation has just finished its growth spur and is entering maturity.
This method of farming revolves around growing a lot of forage. The livestock do not just eat grass, but a range of grasses, groundcovers and weeds. This results in healthier animals, lower veterinary costs, and tastier meat. The key is good soil, which allows forage to grow faster. This natural grazing pattern improves soil by itself, as the livestock manure the cells intensively, and the forage, when it is grazed, sheds roots into the soil. Amending the soil with compost, worms, biochar and nitrogen-fixing trees will further increase productivity. Ultimately, farming livestock comes down to farming forage. Cell-grazing on optimized soil allows for much higher stocking densities than would otherwise be possible; Polyface Farms stock about one cow per 1.5 acres, compared to one cow per 18 acres for extensive pastures.
- The Savory Institute
- Polyface Farms - they use a complex system in which cows, turkeys, pigs, chickens, hens and rabbits are rotated around the cells on a precise schedule.
- TED talk mentioning Polyface Farm. Note the huge yields.
- Lecture by Allan Savory - long but eye-opening.
- What mob-grazing looks like
Silvopasture
Silvopasture refers to growing trees in pasture. This provides shade and forage for the animals, and improves the soil.
Using ponds in pasture
Reeds on the edge of water grow much faster than land-based forage can. You can use this to grow extra forage - and therefore produce more meat - by letting ruminants graze along the edge of a pond. The edge of the pond should be crinkly, not straight, to maximize the edge area in which reeds can grow.