It IS a perverted past time. But I guess I enjoy trying to sort out these ecological (which ALWAYS includes sociology/psychology, economics, & politics) messes we are in, & even attempt to make sense of them? ... Grazers & browsers have been important components of natural ecosystems for a long time. ... But of course the Natural ones ARE now overwhelmed by the domesticated ones. (See the graph below.) treehugger/sustainable-agriculture/all-earths-land-mammals-total-weight-one-graph-wild-livestock.html I was taught various livelihood/economic/ecological strategies & tactics involving grazers and savanna systems from an early age. This started through moving/working cattle with my Dad, Mr. Fuquay, my brothers, & others in the Devine & Stockdale areas in the 50s and 60s. It continued through Mr. Moss vocational ag classes in the early 60s; Dr. Dyksterhuis range ecology classes at A&M in the late 60s; being pasture entomologist & living next door to the chair, Dr. Connie McCormick, of the Animal Science Dep., Coastal Plains Experiment Station in Tifton, GA & collaborating some with rancher Walt Davis in the Tifton area (Walt had been a King Ranch hand in his early years.); working at the National Beef Cattle Center, Campo Grande, Brazil, local fazenderos, and seeing Voisin systems; and then meeting a couple of times with Mr. Allan Savory and being introduced to his co-workers, colleagues, and ranchers; etc.; etc. I learned of carrying capacities, different planned controlled rotation grazing schemes, Holistic Management, & Positively Ethical Applied Community Ecology (& all their messinesses). In trying to deal with opinions of very good friends as well as folk who are not so friendly [some of whom have accused me of being snarky (RJ), & not so fair or honorable (the mayor et al. in a different circumstance)], and opinions in soft & scientific literature, I was doing some of my usual quick & dirty/cursory research last eve. The following well-researched article stated, The debate regarding the benefits of rotational grazing has eluded resolution within the US rangeland profession for more than 60 yr. geography.berkeley.edu/documents/sayre/sayre_briske_2011_rotational_grazing.pdf . On the other hand (perhaps), Allan Savory has strongly opined that his approach, including grazers and grazing strategies & tactics, can help fight desertification & can reverse climate change. And definitely!! on the other hand!!, Guy McPherson says Allan Savorys ideas are ludicrous!!! https://ted/talks/allan_savory_how_to_green_the_world_s_deserts_and_reverse_climate_change guymcpherson/2013/03/peak-patriarchy/ ............................. We (humans/Nature) will continue to use and even need grazers (& browsers), including naturalized & domesticated ones. We should attempt to manage them in a sane & intelligent manner using holistic management. But we dont know much and will continue to just muddle through and make lots of grave mistakes. muse.jhu.edu/books/9780813172866 Hopefully we will learn (as Allan Savory has proposed that we do) to replan and manage in our wholes/in the whole in an effective manner. We will need to employ appropriate decision-making processes, tools & technologies, & creativity ... & to use good guidelines & testing procedures. This might move us toward quality life/livelihoods/landscape for all for a long period of time. Finally ... dont worry, odds are that we wont be extinct by 2030! https://youtube/watch?v=UQuv8fETfME [Im going down to The Farm later to ck the kids cows down in Stockdale.]
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 22:05:48 +0000
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