THE IMPORTANCE OF PASTURES
Pastures are areas of land covered with herbaceous vegetation, a fundamental food source for our sheep and goats. They allow our flocks to feed in a natural way and contribute to the biodiversity and preservation of the landscape in the Val d’Orcia.
The Holistic Pastures of Podere Il Casale not only represent a model of sustainable farming, but also an example of how the respectful and mindful management of pastures can improve the quality of life for animals, preserve the environment, and maintain the authenticity of agricultural products.
This practice is essential for protecting biodiversity and actively contributing to the health of the planet.
What exactly is “Holistic Grazing”?
It involves grazing sheep and goats on “specifically selected” lands to ensure they have access to a larger quantity of fresh, healthy grass, which is crucial for a balanced and natural diet. This practice not only improves the health of the animals, but also promotes the enhancement of pasture quality and the surrounding land, stimulating healthy regeneration of local flora and biodiversity. In this ecosystem, the animals are closely linked and dependent on the environment around them, just as the environment itself benefits from the presence of the flock.
The Holistic Rotation of Pastures
One of the key features of this method is the holistic rotation of pastures. This involves rotational grazing of the flocks on small areas of land to avoid over-exploitation of plant resources while also regenerating the soil. This practice is inspired by “natural grazing,” which originally saw large herds moving across vast areas, following the seasonal cycle and constantly searching for new pastures to escape predators. To replicate this process sustainably, flocks are divided into appropriately sized groups and frequently moved between different grazing areas to encourage natural rotation.
Pasture Rotation
The flocks are grazed on a specific area for a set period, which may vary from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the condition of the soil and vegetation. During this period, care is taken to avoid excessive consumption of grass by the animals, preventing the depletion of plant resources and ensuring the regeneration of the plants. It is crucial to pay attention to the intensity of grass consumption, as it directly affects the regrowth time and, in the worst case, can lead to soil depletion. Pasture regeneration occurs in several phases, influenced by various factors such as soil type, climate, season, and grazing management practices.
When the flock grazes the grass, it reduces the above-ground part of the plants and lowers the leaf mass, which is essential for energy absorption through photosynthesis. This reduction, based on the remaining grass height, stimulates the plants to regrow by activating the energy reserve mechanisms in the roots. As shown in the diagram, depending on the excess consumption of grass, it will have different root regeneration times and subsequent regrowth.
If the flock continues to graze on land where the roots are in a phase of dormancy due to excessive use, the pasture will no longer be able to regenerate, leading to its ultimate degradation.
In summary, careful management of grazing intensity is essential to maintain the health and productivity of pastures, avoid resource depletion, and ensure the sustainability of the system.
After the rotation, the flock is moved to another part of the land, allowing the previous pasture to recover and regenerate. Mobile fences are used to divide the various grazing areas, facilitating a balanced land management approach.
Land and Animal Care
Pasture rotation not only benefits soil health but also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers or other artificial products that could disrupt the ecological balance. Without the use of chemicals, the soil benefits from constant natural enrichment, as livestock, through their manure, contributes to nourishing the soil and maintaining its biological equilibrium.
Other Ecological Benefits
In addition to the direct benefits for animal health and soil, holistic grazing offers numerous ecological advantages. This farming system contributes to increased biomass production, which enriches the land with organic substances.
The presence of manure on the ground stimulates the growth of insects and larvae, which in turn enhance the underground organic life, improving the natural fertility of the soil and boosting its capacity to store a greater amount of carbon dioxide, in a virtuous cycle that reduces the overall environmental impact.
